Aurora College

About Aurora College

Campus: Facilities, Residence and Location

Aurora College is comprised of three campuses: They are the Aurora Campus in Inuvik, Thebacha Campus in Fort Smith, Yellowknife Campus. It also has 24 Community Learning Centres across the Northwestern Territoriees. The 23 Community Centres located in Aurora Campus are Aklavik, Deline, Fort Good Hope, Fort McPherson, Holman, Inuvik, Norman Wells, Paulatuk, Sachs Harbour, Tulita, Tuktoyaktuk, Tsiigehtchic, and Colville Lake; in Thebacha Campus, there are Fort Providence, Fort Resolution, Fort Simpson, Hay River, Lutsel K’e, Fort Liard and Hay River Reserve; in Yellowknife Campus, there are Behcho Ko, Wha Ti, Gameti, Wekweti, and Dettah/N’Dilo.

The research division of Aurora College is the Aurora Research Institute, which focuses on the development of indigenous knowledge with Western Science. It has two research centres, which offers licensing and research support. The Research Institute offers logistical help through accommodation, storage, office space, laboratory facilities, and equipment rentals for researchers. For students who plan to live inside the campus, the college offers single students (and those with families) accommodation, although they are limited in number.

Student Services and Student Life

Aurora College offers sports activities and intramural sports, such as soccer, badminton, basketball, hockey, volleyball, and other recreational programs. The largest gymnasium in the Northwest Territories is the Aurora College Campus Gymnasium.

Academic Programs

Aurora College offers the following programs: Wellness and Addictions Prevention Diploma, University of the Arctic Courses, Traditional Arts Certificate, Trades Access, Teacher Education Access,Social Work Diploma or Certificate, Social Work Access, Small Business Development Program, Recreation Leaders Diploma, Pre-Technology, Pre-employment Welding, Pre-employment Heavy Duty Mechanics, Pre-employment Carpentry, Practical Nurse Certificate, Office Administration Certificate, Observer/Communicator Training Program, Nursing Access, Nurse Practitioner Certificate, Natural Resources Technology Diploma, Natural Resources Technology Access, Management Studies Certificate or Diploma, Management Studies Access, Heavy Equipment Operator, Health and Human Services Access, Environmental Monitor Training Program, Early Childhood Development Certificate or Diploma, Distance Education Courses, Diamond Cutting and Polishing, Continuing Education Courses, Community Health Worker Certificate, Certificate in Computing and Information Systems, Certificate in Adult Education, Camp Cook, Bachelor of Education Degree, Bachelor in the Science of Nursing Degree, Apprenticeship Plumbing/Gasfitter/Oil Burner Mechanic, Apprenticeship Housing Maintainer, Apprenticeship Heavy Duty Mechanics, Environment and Natural Resources Technology Program, Apprenticeship Electrical, Apprenticeship Carpentry, Adult Basic Education, Masters of Education Program, and Aboriginal Language and Cultural Instructor Certificate or Diploma. The University also offers Masters of Education Programs for Aboriginal and Northern professionals to earn their part-time degree in Educational Administration.

Scholarships and Financial Aid

The University awards students scholarships based on academic achievement. Bursaries are also given, and they require full-time registration and favourable academic achievement. Other awards that are given to students who maintain excellent academic performances are also given books, plaques, and other tools as recognition for their achievement.

Inuvik Information

Inuvik was conceived in 1953 as a replacement administrative centre for the hamlet of Aklavik on the west of the Mackenzie Delta, as the latter was prone to flooding and had no room for expansion.

The Great Northern Arts Festival has been held annually for 10 days in the middle of July since 1989. The Festival hosts artists from across the Circumpolar World with additional artists occasionally coming from as far away as the Orkney Islands, the Yucatan, and Australia. Local visitors and world travellers alike attend this annual event each year; many returning as repeat guests and volunteers.

Inuvik celebrates Muskrat Jamboree each year in late March or early April. Most events are held on the Mackenzie River. Several community groups operate concessions in tents, preparing hot soup, bannock, coffee and tea and other warm refreshments.