Account Login/Registration

Access KelownaNow using your Facebook account, or by entering your information below.


Facebook


OR


Register

Privacy Policy

Okanagan College Signs Commitment to Indigenous Education

Okanagan College has signed a commitment with several First Nations and Metis partners to ensure that there is a focus on indigenous education at the school.

The partnership recognizes the school’s responsibility and commitment to education and collaboration with Aboriginal communities. The Indigenous Education Protocol was developed by Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICAN) through its Indigenous Education Committee. That committee was chaired by Ken Tourand, President of the Nicola Valley Institute of Technology. It was signed last Thursday as part of the Seventh Annual Powwow at the College’s Kelowna campus.

“Okanagan College has been strengthening our service and connection to the First Nations and Metis of our region over the past decade,” said Okanagan College President Jim Hamilton. “We have seen significant growth in the number of Aboriginal students who choose our institution for their education. Last year, we had 1,535 Aboriginal students attend OC, more than three times the number who attended in 2005-06.”

<who> Photo Credit: Okanagan College </who> Okanagan College President Jim Hamilton watches as Okanagan Indian Band Councillor Allan Louis signs the Indigenous Education Protocol.

In recent years the school has introduced several programs specifically focused on Aboriginal learners and collaborated with bands individually and jointly on a number of projects.

“While that is heartening, we know there is much yet to be done,” added Hamilton, “We can do more in terms of access and supporting student success, and in working with bands and friendship centres, Metis groups and other associations to learn indigenous knowledge, culture and traditions for the benefit of all.”

Okanagan College was joined at the signing ceremony by representatives of the Okanagan Indian Band, the Metis Association of Salmon Arm, the Ki-Low-Na Friendship Society, the Westbank First Nation, and the Metis Community Service Society of BC.



If you get value from KelownaNow and believe local independent media is important to our community we ask that you please consider subscribing to our daily newsletter.

If you appreciate what we do, we ask that you consider supporting our local independent news platform.


Weather
webcam icon

weather-icon
Fri
12℃

weather-icon
Sat
12℃

weather-icon
Sun
14℃

weather-icon
Mon
16℃

weather-icon
Tue
20℃

weather-icon
Wed
11℃

current feed webcam icon

Recent Livestream




Top Stories

Follow Us

Follow us on Instagram Follow us on Twitter Like us on Facebook Follow us on Linkedin Follow us on Youtube Listen on Soundcloud Follow Our TikTok Feed Follow Our RSS Follow Our pinterest Feed
Follow Our Newsletter
Privacy Policy