Indigenization
FortisBC powers up support for women and Indigenous students
September 24, 2021
New awards and opportunities for mentorship with FortisBC are making it easier for female and female Indigenous students to be successful with their trades education. FortisBC recently set up three scholarships for women in trades with a focus on supporting female students who are at the mid-point in their education. The scholarship comes with the potential for the student to meet with FortisBC representatives and connect with someone working in a role they may be interested in pursuing in the future. "We wanted to support student...
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Saige Girouard, Red River, MĂ©tis Nation
September 3, 2021
“In my second year of studies I connected with a classmate over our shared curiosity to learn more about our Indigenous backgrounds. I’m Métis, but my family didn’t practice Indigenous customs. My classmate went on to be very successful in reconnecting with her culture. Watching her hit those milestones I knew that if she could do it, I could do it too. I’d say the tipping point for me was winning a bursary from Okanagan College to attend the Indigenous Women’s Leadersh...
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Â黨´«Ă˝offers condolences to the Cowessess First Nation and all those impacted and in mourning
June 25, 2021
This statement contains content about residential schools that we recognize may be triggering. If you need immediate emotional assistance or crisis support, please see the supports (bolded) below. Okanagan College respectfully acknowledges that our Penticton, Kelowna and Vernon campuses are located on the traditional and unceded territory of the Syilx Okanagan people and our Salmon Arm campus is located on the traditional and unceded territory of the Secwepemc. On Thursday, June 24, the Cowessess First Nation confirmed the ...
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Our deepest sympathies go out to the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc
May 31, 2021
Okanagan College respectfully acknowledges that our Salmon Arm campus is located on the traditional and unceded territory of the Secwepemc and our Penticton, Kelowna and Vernon campuses are located on the traditional and unceded territory of the Syilx Okanagan people. On Thursday, May 27, the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc confirmed the discovery of the remains of 215 children buried in unmarked graves on the site of the former Kamloops Indian Residential School, which was once the largest in Canada’s residential school system. On behalf ...
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Indigenous Awards drives support for Â黨´«Ă˝students
February 24, 2021
Kamloops’ Austin MacArthur moved to Kelowna to attend Okanagan College’s Automotive Service Technician program to unlock a lifelong dream of becoming a mechanic – a dream fueled in part by the Irving K. Barber BC Scholarship Society’s Indigenous Student awards. MacArthur is one of over 600 BC Indigenous students who shared more than $2.2 million in awards from the Society in support of post-secondary studies. The Society’s Indigenous Award program is one of six award programs and was created to assist in removing barriers to higher...
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CIBC gives scholarship boost to Indigenous students
January 18, 2021
When Maria Kruger graduates as a Certified Dental Assistant from Okanagan College later this year, she will proudly stand among her people as a skilled professional. Kruger, who is of Okanagan/Shuswap descent, has a goal to graduate and work with people in her community on the Penticton Indian Band. “I want to see our people go into skilled trades and be able to support our own communities. That’s one of my main goals,” says Kruger, who also cites her two-year-old son as inspiration behind her return to school. A new donation from...
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Â黨´«Ă˝joins Vernon and Salmon Arm communities to hold vigil against violence against women
December 1, 2020
Many activities stopped as a result of the 2020 pandemic. Violence against women, however, is not one of them. This is why communities in the Okanagan and Shuswap are paying special attention to the 31st anniversary of the École Polytechnique Massacre, in addition to the ongoing cases of missing women from the region, with a Virtual Candlelight Vigil on Dec. 6 co-hosted by a network of organizations and volunteers. “The SAFE Society has been partnering with Okanagan College Students’ Union and Indigenous Services for over a decade...
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OC’s 12th Annual Youth Exhibition Powwow goes virtual this year
September 29, 2020
When the pandemic struck, organizers of the popular Youth Exhibition Powwow at Okanagan College in Kelowna knew they would have to adapt. Each year, for the past 11 years, the event has drawn crowds of hundreds – sometimes more than a thousand – to OC’s courtyard for a day of celebrating, learning about and engaging with Indigenous knowledge and culture. Over the course of a fun-filled day, dancers and accompanying drummers from across the B.C. interior perform in a variety of dance categories including grass, fancy, chicken, jing...
Read more...Advisors from across BC post-secondary institutions unite to engage and support Indigenous students
September 10, 2020
Strengthening Connections, an Indigenous recruitment initiative for post-secondary institutions in British Columbia, will have a whole new look and feel this fall. As post-secondary institutions across the province have geared up for remote or alternative delivery for fall semester, recruiters have also made the switch to a virtual world, notes Jewell Gillies, who currently serves as Executive Board Chair for Strengthening Connections and works in Indigenous Services and Student, Grad and Co-op Employment at Â黨´«Ă˝ “Str...
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College and Westbank First Nation sign new MOU, continue to deepen partnership
June 21, 2020
Okanagan College and Westbank First Nation (WFN) recently signed a new Memorandum of Understanding, building on a long history of working together to increase access and support WFN members in achieving their post-secondary education goals. In all, the new MOU outlines seven ways in which the partners will continue to collaborate on projects and programs that will benefit learners from the WFN community, while helping both organizations learn from one another and build professional capacity. Signing on behalf of Westbank First Na...
Read more...College working with students, employers and communities to enhance co-op opportunities for Indigenous learners
June 18, 2020
How can Okanagan College enhance support for Indigenous students stepping into co-op work terms with employers? And in turn, how can Â黨´«Ă˝better assist employers looking to hire students and set them up for success during their time in the workforce? These are just two of many questions inspiring Jewell Gillies as she consults with students, employers, other post-secondary institutions and Indigenous community members in the region and beyond as part of a 15-month long research project. “This project delves into many aspects of co-o...
Read more...Coyote, the Trickster
June 2, 2020
Trickster stories are common among various Indigenous nations. While there are some cross-cultural similarities of tricksters amongst nations, each nation will have its own unique trickster and stories. Coyote is considered a trickster to both Syilx Okanagan and Secwepemc peoples. Coyote is often breaking the rules and bringing teachings through his adventurous mishaps. These teachings have strong ties to local s...
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K’nmaĺka? Sənqâĺtən garden
June 1, 2020
Stepping along the bark mulch path of K'nmaĺka? Sənqâĺtən, navigating through the dense brush of salmon berry and olive trees, visitors get a rare opportunity to step into a space filled with traditional plants significant to Syilx Okanagan people.K'nmaĺka? Sənqâĺtən (Kalamalka Garden) is an Indigenous garden created in 2017 through a unique collaboration among the Okanagan Indian Band (Elders and community members), Okanagan College and the Food Action Society of the North...
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The Gathering Place
April 30, 2020
The moment you walk through the doors to the Gathering Place, everything seems to change: the light softens, the noise of the day fades away, and you are most likely greeted by a friendly face. Caroline Chartier is the Indigenous Transitions Planner at the Salmon Arm campus, and Â黨´«Ă˝Life caught up with her to get the scoop on what makes the Gathering Place so special. Q: What was intent behind the Gathering Place when it was created? A: To provide a space for Indigenous ...
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na’ʔk’ʷulamən garden
April 15, 2020
Okanagan College's Kelowna campus is home to a traditional garden established in 2017 to celebrate and recognize the rich history and knowledge of the Indigenous people of the region.The name na'ʔk'ʷulamən generally translates to "the things that we do." This reflects things that Indigenous people do with plants and the land, including maintenance of the land; selection and use of plants for food, technology, medicines and for ceremonial purposes; and the sharing of this kn...
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Coble earns doctoral degree, shines light on Indigenous students’ post-secondary experiences
February 11, 2020
When James Coble crossed the stage to pick up his doctoral degree from the University of Calgary he was overcome with many emotions. But for Okanagan College’s Director of Student Services and father of two, there was no emotion greater than the pride of setting a positive example for his children. “For me, it was the completion of a seven-year journey,” explains Coble. “At the end, as I did at every stage, I reminded myself that my kids were always at the top of the list of reasons why I was doing this.” Coble graduated with a D...
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