Loss of Indigenous studies program would reflect poorly on Laurentian, prof says One of the oldest Indigenous studies programs in Canada will likely end as Laurentian University looks to terminate ties with the University of Sudbury, a move experts say could put the financially plagued school off the radar of an important population of students. Social Sharing CBC News · Posted: May 04, 2021 12:30 PM ET | Last Updated: May 4 Veldon Coburn, professor of Aboriginal studies at the University of Ottawa, says Laurentian would lose students and credibility by cutting its Indigenous studies program. (CBC) One of the oldest Indigenous studies programs in Canada will likely end as Laurentian University looks to terminate ties with the University of Sudbury, a move experts say could put the financially plagued school off the radar of an important population of students.