As Canadians across the country prepare to celebrate Aboriginal Day on June 21, it is timely that we reflect on the considerable progress being made in indigenous education.
Post-secondary institutions in British Columbia and across Canada are recognizing the need to work in partnership with First Nations, Metis, Inuit, and aboriginal organizations in order to develop and offer programs that meet the needs of Canada’s indigenous peoples. With support from both provincial and federal governments, as well as the commitment of post-secondary leaders, many institutions now have staff dedicated specifically to indigenous education, elders who provide wisdom and support, and campus facilities such as aboriginal gathering places that help celebrate and create a welcoming environment for aboriginal students.
Nationally, and with the support of the Assembly of First Nations (AFN), Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICAN) has taken a leadership role by developing a National Indigenous Protocol that allows its membership an opportunity to demonstrate that indigenous education is a priority. Post-secondary institutions who sign onto this national protocol are declaring that they are committed to providing an environment that addresses the learning and training needs of indigenous students.
This commitment further strengthens and supports indigenous peoples’ self-determination and their socio-economic development in their communities.
The Nicola Valley Institute of Technology (NVIT) is British Columbia’s aboriginal public post-secondary institution. Founded by the five First Nations bands in the Nicola Valley in 1983, their vision was to create a post-secondary institution where aboriginal students can learn and succeed. In 1995, with approval from the founding bands, NVIT was appointed as a member of the public post-secondary system by becoming a provincial institute. In 2015/16, NVIT served over 1,400 students at their campuses in Merritt and Burnaby, and in aboriginal communities across B.C. and Canada. NVIT’s student body is approximately 80 per cent Aboriginal and represents approximately 60 per cent of the 203 First Nations bands in the province of B.C.
With support from the Ministry of Advanced Education, NVIT recently announced two exciting initiatives for the 2016/17 academic year.
In partnership with the University of British Columbia (UBC), NVIT will be offering a Master’s of Educational Indigenous Leadership and Administration with the goal of enhancing the educational qualifications of NVIT employees, and employees from other indigenous post-secondary institutions across B.C. The opportunity to receive a Master’s degree from UBC, with an indigenous focus, in the small community of Merritt is unprecedented and represents a significant advancement for indigenous education in B.C.
With the release of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s recommendations, a number of which directly relate to post-secondary education, NVIT will be co-hosting a conference in October that will bring together all of B.C.s universities, colleges and provincial institutes to discuss a coordinated provincial approach on how B.C.’s institutions of higher learning will respond to the commission’s recommendations. Scheduled for October in Vancouver, it is anticipated that this conference will represent a solid demonstration of the commitment of B.C.’s post-secondary institutions regarding indigenous education.
The promotion and success of indigenous education over the past two decades has been remarkable. While significant work remains — considering the alarming statistic that only one in every two aboriginal children will graduate with a Grade 12 certificate — there is no denying that the post-secondary system has ensured that the learning needs of aboriginal students is a national priority. NVIT, with a specific aboriginal mandate, has played a major role in the progress to date. Let’s celebrate our past successes, and more importantly, let’s continue to move forward in partnership.
While NVIT has a provincial mandate, delivering programs across B.C., its roots remain in the Nicola Valley and its five founding bands. Meeting regularly with the chiefs, and ensuring that the elders council has representatives from each founding community, the original purpose for NVIT will never be forgotten.
NVIT will continue to operate as a student-centered institution that is firmly grounded in aboriginal culture, tradition, and indigenous knowledge. It’s about the student. It has always been about the student.
Ken Tourand is a 21 year employee of NVIT and has served as its president since 2010.
