Six Nations Polytechnic Inc.

Six Nations Polytechnic Inc. (SNP) is a Canadian nonprofit Indigenous institute and registered charity dedicated to post-secondary education, Indigenous knowledge revitalization, and community development. Established in 1993, SNP is governed by the Haudenosaunee of the Six Nations of the Grand River and serves as a Centre of Excellence for Indigenous education within Ontario. The organization operates with the mandate to provide accessible and culturally relevant education and training to Indigenous peoples, particularly those from the Six Nations community[2][3].

Background and Mission

Six Nations Polytechnic was created by and for the Six Nations of the Grand River, the largest First Nation in Canada, encompassing seven nations: the Mohawk, Cayuga, Onondaga, Oneida, Seneca, Tuscarora, and Lenape. These groups share a deep heritage predating the formation of Canada and the United States and possess a wealth of traditional knowledge and languages. SNP’s foundational mission emphasizes the recovery, revitalization, and restoration of Hodinohsó:ni (Haudenosaunee) knowledge and language, fostering lifelong learning, self-sufficiency, cultural continuity, and employability for Indigenous peoples[3].

Educational Programs and Partnerships

SNP functions as an Indigenous institute, recognized as the third pillar of post-secondary education in Ontario alongside colleges and universities, as established by the Indigenous Institutes Act of 2017. It offers a wide variety of programs including degree, diploma, certificate, apprenticeship, and continuing education courses. These programs are developed in partnership with multiple levels of government, industries, and academic institutions to ensure they meet the educational and professional needs of Indigenous students while embedding Indigenous perspectives and pedagogy[2][4].

The institute operates two campuses, located in Ohsweken and Brantford, Ontario. It collaborates with other educational entities such as Mohawk College to expand program offerings and services for Indigenous communities[2][5].

Governance and Recognition

SNP is governed by the Haudenosaunee community and led by a President, who as of recent reports is Rebecca Jamieson. It maintains affiliations with Crown–Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada and the Ontario Ministry of Education. As a registered charity under Canada Revenue Agency with business registration number 866114317RR0001, SNP complies with national standards governing charitable organizations[2][3].

Vision

The vision of Six Nations Polytechnic is to achieve international distinction for excellence in Indigenous education, language revitalization, and the continuance of Indigenous knowledge. While centered on serving the Six Nations community, SNP welcomes students of all nationalities, promoting inclusivity and intercultural understanding within its educational framework[3].

Six Nations Polytechnic stands out for its unique role in Indigenous education in Canada, combining traditional knowledge with contemporary post-secondary education to empower Indigenous learners and communities.

[1] https://www.snpolytechnic.com [2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Six_Nations_Polytechnic [3] https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/six-nations-polytechnic-inc/ [4] https://www.collegesinstitutes.ca/members/six-nations-polytechnic/ [5] https://www.mohawkcollege.ca/about/campuses/six-nations-polytechnic-ohsweken-sn