Our Stories

UCN's students, faculty and staff have incredible stories to tell. You'll find some of them here.

UCN Shines, meet Sarah Moore-George

By UCN | September 23, 2024

Introducing: Sarah Moore-George Years with UCN: 2.5 years Job title: Diploma in Practical Nursing Instructor and Thompson Site Coordinator Location: Thompson  Sarah George-Moore’s experience at UCN has been both personally and professionally transformative. Initially hesitant about public speaking, she has now embraced her role as an educator. “I feel like in this role, it just came naturally for…

UCN’s Dr. Keith Hyde’s adventure at the Arctic Congress

By UCN | August 30, 2024

From May 30 to June 1, Dr. Keith Hyde represented the University College of the North at the Arctic Congress in Bodø, Norway. On the opening day, he shared his northern Manitoban research in a presentation entitled “Cultural Resilience or Christian Resignation? The Endeavours of the Rev. Henry Budd, Sr. in 19th-Century Rupert’s Land.” The…

UCN Shines, meet Ying Kong

By UCN | August 27, 2024

Introducing: Ying Kong Years with UCN: 8 Job title: Associate Professor of English Teaching Literature/Indigenous Literature Location: Thompson Ying started working with UCN part-time, teaching remotely, in 2015. She liked the job, and when she successfully secured the permanent position at the Thompson campus, she sold her house in Winnipeg “without hesitation” to come to…

UCN Shines, meet Melissa Constant

By UCN | August 27, 2024

Introducing: Melissa Constant Years with UCN: 12 Job title: Student Recruitment Officer/Sponsor Liaison Location: The Pas Melissa started her career with UCN in 2012 when she worked evenings and weekends as a Library Clerk. From there, she became a Learning Technology Facilitator and eventually found her calling as a Recruitment Officer. Melissa’s connection to UCN…

UCN Launches Heavy Equipment Training Program in Support of Northern Industry and Communities

By UCN | November 6, 2023

Thompson, MB – In an effort to bolster the mining industry and support the growth of northern Manitoba, the University College of the North (UCN) has announced the launch of a Heavy Equipment Operator Certificate Program. Scheduled to run from March 25th to May 3rd, 2024, in Thompson, Manitoba, this program addresses the increasing demand…

Sydney Bjorndalen

Sydney Bjorndalen – Kenanow Education

By UCN | June 16, 2023

Where are you from?I’m from Gillam, MB and attended the Thompson campus. Why did you choose UCN?My home is in the north, and I wanted to get educated in the north. What program did you study and why?I studied the Kenanow Bachelor of Education program. I chose this program because I thought it wouldbe a…

An automotive student working on the parts of a car

Jack Werstroh – Automotive Technician

By UCN | June 13, 2023

Where are you from?I grew up here in The Pas Why UCN?I just got out of high school and UCN is so close to home. That’s a big part of it. What program did you study and why did you pursue that?I came for the automotive technician program, I’ve always had an interest in vehicles…

Two women holding certificates

Bridging the Digital Divide: UCN Students Help Launch Computers for Schools Initiative in The Pas

By UCN | April 24, 2023

Lakota Blackbird was expected to get her hands dirty on day one. “Actually, it was my first day and they had me tear apart a computer, like my very first day, without reading anything,” she said. “I was like, should I be doing this?” Lakota is a student in University College of the North’s Information…

Charmaine

Ready for Technology

By UCN | February 25, 2022

Survival in Manitoba’s north country takes experience, know-how, and perseverance. These are all qualities University College of the North student Charmaine Sayese used to succeed in a program using motherboards, satellites, and software. Charmaine was raised and lives in the Opaskwayak Cree Nation community of Big Eddy. She remembers the first time she used a…

amy

A History of Achievement

By UCN | February 25, 2022

Amy Jackson always understood how education creates opportunity. For a decade, she juggled working in provincial and federal politics and completing part time courses at the University College of the North (UCN). When she transitioned from the political arena to full time student, her focus was clear. “History is a passion of mine and I…

Muses From The North

Muses

Muses from the North is an on-line journal for students of the University College of the North.

We publish biannually from UCN campuses in The Pas and Thompson, located in Treaty No. 5 territory. As a UCN students’ journal, MFTN provides a platform for our students to express their musings about our amazing northern tradition and culture in texts, words, images and pictures.  Our northern muses are not only from The Pas and Thompson, but also from a network of 12 regional centres, from Swan River to Churchill. Like the dwellers in the north, MFTN favors Northern tradition, culture and stories from our northern communities. Reach us through mftn@ucn.ca.

the quint

Interdisciplinary, the quint (a double-blind, peer-reviewed journal) disseminates new knowledge in the areas of literature, history, the arts, popular culture, education, the social sciences, and aboriginal studies.

The journal also publishes interviews, artwork, creative writing, and reviews. All issues of the quint are archived in National Library and Archives Canada (Ottawa, Ontario).

News Releases

UCN Offers New Health Care Aide Certificate Programs Throughout the North

November 10, 2023

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 9, 2023 (The Pas/Thompson, MB) – University College of the North (UCN) will offer Health Care Aide programs in three communities beginning early next year. In February 2024, up to twenty-seven students will be accepted into a Health Care Aide certificate program in Swan River, The Pas, and Thompson. The 20-week…

UCN Launches Heavy Equipment Training Program in Support of Northern Industry and Communities

November 10, 2023

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 2, 2023 (Thompson, MB) – A Heavy Equipment Operator Certificate Program will be offered from March 25th – May 3rd, 2024, in Thompson, Manitoba as part of University College of the North’s (UCN) strategy to support the growth of the mining industry in northern Manitoba. “The mining industry is expanding in…

UCN is a Key Training Partner for Manitoba’s Critical Minerals Strategy

July 27, 2023

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 27, 2023 (The Pas/Thompson, MB) – University College of the North (UCN) and the Government of Manitoba will work together to create flexible, in-demand training pathways to prepare skilled workers from the north to support Manitoba’s Critical Minerals Strategy. “The inclusion of UCN in the Critical Minerals Strategy shows considerable confidence in UCN…

Improving Access to Driver Training in Northern Manitoba

July 5, 2023

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 4, 2023 Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI) and University College of the North (UCN) are partnering to launch a new program to increase access to driver training programming in northern Manitoba. The UCN Class 5 Adult Driver Training Program will help create safer roads and improve workforce development in this critical area…

UCN Announces Expanded Child Care Programs

June 26, 2023

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 22, 2023 (The Pas/Thompson, MB) – The University College of the North is excited to announce the significant expansion of its childcare programs following approval from the Manitoba Department of Advanced Education and Training. The expansion includes modifications to the following programs: ” Early Childhood Education Diploma program ” Early Learning…

UCN Launches Innovative IT Programs to Empower Northern Communities and Women

June 12, 2023

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 8, 2023 (The Pas, MB) – University College of the North is pleased to announce two new IT programs that will help to address the chronic shortage of skilled technicians in northern Manitoba. UCN President, Doug Lauvstad said a new IT Support Technician and Technology Readiness Program will be delivered on…

UCN IK Centre Receives Donation from Manitoba North District RCMP

May 24, 2023

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 24, 2023 (Thompson, MB) – The Manitoba North District RCMP donated $10,000 to the University College of the North (UCN) ininiwi kiskinwamakewin (IK) Centre. The Manitoba North District RCMP donation will support this year’s UCN Traditional Convocation Pow-wow.­ Covering the cost of food, gifts, and honoraria for cultural components such as…

UCN Announces Official Launch of Computers for Schools Manitoba – The Pas Location: Promoting Education, Skills Development, and Environmental Responsibility

April 20, 2023

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 20, 2023 (The Pas, MB) – University College of the North (UCN) is proud to announce the official launch of the Computers for Schools (C4S) Manitoba location in The Pas, Manitoba. In partnership with UCN’s Information Technology Readiness North (InTeRN) Program, funded by the Future Skills Centre, this ground-breaking initiative aims…

UCN Reaffirms Commitment to Indigenous Education

April 18, 2023

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 14, 2023 (The Pas/Thompson, MB) – The University College of the North (UCN) is proud to announce its reaffirmed commitment to Indigenous education. UCN joins Manitoba’s six universities, three colleges, and the Manitoba School Boards Association in re-signing the Manitoba Collaborative Indigenous Education Blueprint (the Blueprint) on Friday, April 14. In…

UCN Employee Awarded Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee Medal

February 10, 2023

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 6, 2022 (Winnipeg, MB) – University College of the North’s (UCN) employee, Tara Manych, was awarded Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal.The Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal celebrates the 70th anniversary year of Queen Elizabeth’s accession to the throne and was hosted by Lieutenant Governor Anita Neville and Premier Heather…