Our Stories

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

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…

Alan McLauchlan faculty member smiles at the camera

Navigating a Clear Path

By UCN | February 25, 2022

(Wabowden, MB) Desiree Mallett understands the value of learning. The 39 year-old mother of three is a life-long resident of the northern town of Wabowden, where the population hovers near the 400 mark. She’s already finished studies in programs including Mineral Processing and Business Administration.“I wanted something to help out in the long run such…

A woman with stylish hair looks at the camera

From Classroom to Educator

By UCN | February 10, 2022

Brie Phillips is a teacher who is able to weave education, writing and art together for Indigenous students and educators alike.  A Metis woman, Brie grew up in Creighton, SK and always enjoyed spending time with children. She knew her future career would involve kids somehow, but it was her experience in a mentor program…

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 Early Childhood Education Program Granted Full Approval

February 3, 2023

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 3, 2023 (The Pas/Thompson, MB) – University College of the North (UCN) Early Childhood Education (ECE) program has been granted full approval for five years from the Province of Manitoba. Graduates of the two-year full-time and Workplace program will have obtained all ECE II licensing requirements and will be eligible to…

UCN Chancellor Awarded Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee Medal

January 30, 2023

(Winnipeg, MB) – University College of the North’s (UCN) Chancellor, Edwin Jebb, 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 Stefanson. The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee…

UCN Focuses New Team to Lead Reconciliation Efforts

January 4, 2023

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 15, 2022 University College of the North Focuses New Team to Lead Reconciliation Efforts(The Pas/Thompson, MB) – University College of the North (UCN) has established theDepartment of Indigenous Initiatives and Reconciliation. Dr. Ramona Neckoway is appointed asAssociate Vice President and will lead the new department. The new department represents the next…

UCN Employees Awarded Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee Medal

October 24, 2022

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 24, 2022 (Winnipeg, MB) – University College of the North’s (UCN) President and Vice-Chancellor, Doug Lauvstad and UCN’s Vice‐President of Academic and Research, Dan Smith, were 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…

New and Returning Members Appointed to UCN Governing Council

September 22, 2022

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 22, 2022 (The Pas/Thompson, MB) – University College of the North (UCN) welcomes four new and two returning Board Members to the Governing Council. Pam Marsden [Flin Flon], Glen McKenzie [Swan River], Alan McLauchlan [RM of Kelsey], and April Wastesicoot [Thompson Student Rep] have joined the Governing Council. Brea Anderson [The…

UCN Grows Information Technology Opportunity

August 31, 2022

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 30, 2022 (The Pas/Thompson, MB) – For the first time ever, the University College of the North (UCN) will run three simultaneous information technology (IT) programs with the help of Future Skills Centre. UCN IT projects received additional funding from Future Skills Centre to continue operation through the 2022-2023 academic year.…

UCN Appoints Helga Bryant as Next Dean of Health

August 18, 2022

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 18, 2022 The Pas/Thompson, MB) – University College of the North (UCN) has appointed Ms. Helga Bryant, RN, BScN, MScA, as UCN’s next Dean of Health. Her appointment begins in May 2023. Helga holds a M.Sc. in Administration (Health Care) from Central Michigan University and has been a Registered Nurse since…

UCN Expands in Thompson with North Forge Partnership

July 27, 2022

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE JULY 27, 2022 University College of the North Expands in Thompson with North Forge Partnership (Thompson, MB) – The University College of the North (UCN) recently opened The North Forge North Fabrication Lab (Fab Lab) in Thompson in partnership with North Forge and community partners.North Forge North Fab Lab is a fabrication…

UCN Information Technology Project Trains Indigenous Women for Technology Careers

May 16, 2022

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 13, 2022 (The Pas/Thompson, MB) – University College of the North’s (UCN) information technology (IT) project received additional funding from Future Skills Centre to continue operation through the 2022‐2023 academic year. Future Skills Centre is investing $1.09 million to expand and modify this project following an earlier investment of $996,300. The…

UCN announces new program to help applicants prepare for Diploma in Practical Nursing.

May 11, 2022

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 11, 2022 (Flin Flon/Swan River/Thompson, MB) – University College of the North (UCN) is excited to announce a new program to help applicants get ready for the Diploma in Practical Nursing (DPN) program.The program was created in response to Manitoba government’s multi-year investment of up to $4.3 million for additional nurse…