Oshki-Wenjack Celebrates Living Classroom Partnership with Pioneer Ridge

THUNDER BAY, ON – Oshki-Pimache-O-Win: The Wenjack Education Institute joined Pioneer Ridge Long-Term Care and Senior Services for a ceremony recognizing their Living Classroom partnership, creating new opportunities for Practical Nursing students to gain hands-on experience in a long-term care setting.

The partnership connects classroom learning with real-world experience, allowing students to develop their practical skills while learning alongside experienced care providers. Through the Living Classroom model, students will have opportunities to strengthen their knowledge, gain valuable experience and explore culturally relevant approaches to care that recognize First Nations perspectives.

The initiative supports the development of future health-care professionals while strengthening the connection between post-secondary education and long-term care services.

For Oshki-Wenjack students, the partnership offers an opportunity to apply what they learn in the classroom in a supportive care environment. It also creates space for First Nations knowledge and perspectives to be reflected in the delivery of care.

Oshki-Wenjack looks forward to the opportunities this partnership will create for its Practical Nursing students, as well as the benefits for Pioneer Ridge residents and the broader community.

The Living Classroom program is funded by the Government of Ontario and led by the Schlegel-UW Research Institute for Aging (RIA), in partnership with the Ontario Association of Adult and Continuing Education School Board Administrators (CESBA).

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