SGEI will work with Confederation College to deliver post-secondary programming in the territory west of Thunder Bay.
(June 19, 2026) / Agency One: On June 19, 2026, at Seven Generations Education Institute’s (SGEI) Rainy Lake Campus east of Fort Frances, SGEI and Confederation College commemorated a Relationship Accord in an Anishinaabe ceremony. Through this partnership, SGEI will deliver accredited Confederation College programs in the communities of Fort Frances, Kenora, Dryden, Red Lake, and Sioux Lookout, as well as the surrounding areas.
“This partnership reflects a shared commitment to students and communities across Northwestern Ontario,” said Michelle Salo, President of Confederation College. “By working together, we are strengthening how education is delivered.”
Starting in September 2026, SGEI will expand its current offerings by adding two initial Confederation programs at its Rainy Lake and Kenora Campuses before introducing more Confederation College programming in semesters to follow.
“SGEI is a catalyst for lifelong learning,” says Brent Tookenay, CEO of SGEI. “Our learners come to us from across Treaty 3 to learn how to drive in our Driving School, join a workshop in our Makerspace, complete their high school diploma, or take a postsecondary program and return to SGEI again and again. With the support from our communities, we lift our learners up and encourage them with love, food, culture, and the ability to go home at the end of the day to their families. It’s these lasting relationships that we’re excited to connect SGEI’s approach to education with Confederation College’s programming.”
Minister Greg Rickford, Member of Provincial Parliament for Kenora-Rainy River, attended the ceremony to honour the partnership. The day’s ceremony included drumming and singing, teachings from Elders, an exchange of gifts, and feasting to launch the partnership with mutual respect.
“Ontario institutions are building the future-ready workforce that we need to strengthen our local communities, support our businesses, and drive our economy,” said Nolan Quinn, Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security. “This partnership between Seven Generations Education Institute and Confederation College will ensure that students across Northwestern Ontario can continue to receive a world-class education that equips them with the skills they need to thrive personally and professionally.”
In addition to the postsecondary programming, both Confederation College and Seven Generations Education Institute will have a presence in Northwestern Ontario, with focuses on workforce development and regional partnerships. Confederation College’s Red Lake campus will remain open, and campuses in Greenstone and Marathon will continue to operate as they are.
Learn more about SGEI’s upcoming fall programming in partnership with Confederation College here https://www.7generations.org/post-secondary-programs/.
About Confederation College
Confederation College has been serving the citizens of northwestern Ontario since 1967, providing transformative education across a vast 550,000 square kilometre region. Our main campus in Thunder Bay, together with seven regional sites and an expanding Distance Education division, opens pathways to personal advancement and professional achievement for thousands of students each year. With hundreds of staff, the College contributes significantly to the regional economy and community development.
Scott Hobbs
Coordinator, Media & Storytelling
Confederation College
scott.hobbs@confederationcollege.ca
Tel: 807-475-6295 | Cell: 807-621-5265
About Seven Generations Education Institute
Seven Generations Education Institute (SGEI) is an Indigenous-led educational organization that provides secondary, post-secondary, training for employment and other programming to all Indigenous and non-Indigenous people in the Treaty 3 area and beyond. With campuses in the Rainy River district, Kenora and Sioux Lookout, and secondary education classrooms in more than 20 communities in Northwestern Ontario, SGEI aims to provide culturally enriched community-based and student-centred learning opportunities for everyone. For more information, visit 7generations.org.
Kaitlyn Allen-Henry
Manager of Communications
Seven Generations Education Institute
media@7generations.org