Our commitment at NLC
At NLC, Truth and Reconciliation is a pillar of our 2023-2028 Strategic Plan; this is important work we are committed to as a postsecondary institution. While we are still learning how to honour the peoples who were here long before our arrival, we have recently signed protocols with our community partners that will guide us on this journey:
1. Commit to making Indigenous education a priority, including providing relevant curriculum for Indigenous learners.
2. Ensure governance structures recognize and respect Indigenous peoples.
3. Build relationships and be accountable to Indigenous communities in support of self determination through education, training and applied research.
4. Support students and employees to increase understanding and reciprocity among Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples, including Indigenous cultural awareness and competency training for NLC employees.
5. Integrate Indigenous ways of knowing and being along with Indigenous worldviews, beginning with a place-based approach, into relevant curriculum and learning approaches, accessible to all learners and communities.
6. Implement meaningful measures to increase the number of Indigenous employees with ongoing appointments, throughout the institution, including senior administrators.
7. Continue to honour and support Indigenous-centered holistic services and learning environments for learner success.
8. Respect and honour the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: 94 calls to Action, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and British Columbia’s Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act.
NLC strives to incorporate Indigenous cultures, history, and ways of knowing into all that we do.
“I love to cook for people and also have a passion for food. I have always wanted to take this course and finally made the decision to become a certified chef so I could buy myself a food truck.”
– Trudy Garbitt – Professional Cook Training Alum
Perspectives from Indigenous Leaders
We’re thrilled to have many First Nations, Métis, and Inuit individuals as part of the leadership at NLC. This includes members of our Recruitment Team, Indigenous Education Team, NLC Faculty, Leadership Team, members of our Board of Governors, and our Elders in Residence program.
Our Elders in Residence program draws on local Elders’ knowledge and vast experience in order to help integrate Indigenous teachings and ways of learning. The program creates pathways for Elders to share their knowledge with students, staff, and faculty through events such as Welcome Feasts, crafting, storytelling, hands-on projects, and so much more.
Our First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Gathering Places and Gardens
Most NLC campuses have a First Nation, Métis, and Inuit Gathering Place. These welcoming, supportive, comfortable spaces honour and celebrate Indigenous cultures and identities. They are places of respect and learning. The Gathering Places are open to all as we discover how to walk forward together, so come join us while you study, relax, or share in cultural events. You can find our Gathering Places on the Fort St. John, Dawson Creek, Fort Nelson, and Chetwynd campuses.
NLC’s outdoor cultural areas provide a beautiful venue for all to learn and enjoy. These outdoor areas are designed as places to gather in celebration and ceremony and to learn from teachers and Elders. Our outdoor spaces on the Dawson Creek and Fort St. John campuses include a mix of medicinal gardens and traditional food plants, teepees, gathering circles around fire pits, and a soon-to-be-constructed cultural arbor coming to the Dawson Creek campus.
Our Programs
Learn more about programming at NLC.
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Meet our Indigenous Education Team
| Michael Calvert | Terry Woodcox | Karen Tom | Ashley Seltenrich | Candace Green |
| Director, Indigenous Education | Indigenous Student Navigator | Indigenous Project Facilitator | Indigenous Cultural Guide | Assistant to the Director, Indigenous Education |
Indigenous Student Navigators
Our Indigenous Student Navigators play a vital role in supporting the journey of Indigenous learners, ensuring their academic and cultural needs are respected and met. Navigators help with guiding students towards educational services, tutoring, and funding options while fostering leadership and mentorship within the student community. They promote the use of the Gathering Place for study groups, encourage cultural celebration through events, and advocate for students facing learning challenges. Our Navigators also work closely with financial aid offices and external organizations to help students access funding and bursaries. Indigenous Student Navigators foster an environment where Indigenous learners can achieve academic success while celebrating their cultural identity.
Council for Innovation in Indigenous Education
The Council for Innovation in Indigenous Education (CIIE) is a community-based advisory council that provides guidance to NLC in decolonizing the work we do. This includes the ongoing support for Indigenous representation, educational opportunities, cultural events, access and retention projects, and the implementation of relevant Indigenous programming.