Program bringing university courses to Elsipogtog First Nation lacks stable funding [video] – NB Media Co-op
January 30, 2026
Indigenous Services Canada discussing ‘options that may lead to more stable funding in the future’ but program that funds post-secondary programs ‘oversubscribed’
Aotiitj is a two-year university program provided by St. Thomas University that allows members of Elsipogtog First Nation to begin their university studies in the community. I’m from Elsipogtog, and I entered university through the program. I did my first year through Aotiitj, then moved to Fredericton to study at the main campus. Now, I’m in my third year at STU.
For this report, I spoke with three current Aotiitj students — Arianna Clement, Lance Francis, and Lisha Francis — about their positive experiences beginning post-secondary school at Aotiitj. I also interviewed Rob LeBlanc, who is the Aotiitj coordinator and a political science professor in the program. He discussed recent cuts to the program’s funding and called for the federal government to provide stable annual funding.
