Articles tagged "Indigenization"
Okanagan College and Westbank First Nation Celebrate Naming Ceremony at Kelowna Campus
December 6, 2024
Members of Westbank First Nation along with Okanagan College students, employees and local community members came together at Okanagan College’s Kelowna campus for an historic announcement as Westbank First Nation Elders provided two Syilx Okanagan names for the newly opened student housing building on the Kelowna campus.In providing the names, Syilx Okanagan Nation Elders Pamela and Grouse Barnes considered the design of the building, which includes an Indigenous feather design created by Syilx artist Clint George on the exterior and Indig...
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National Day of Action for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, and Two-Spirit People
October 4, 2024
October 4th is National Day of Action for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, and Two-Spirit People.On this day we honour the lives of the many Indigenous women, girls and Two-Spirit people who have been murdered or are missing. The red dress has become a symbol of loss for those who have been taken too soon, and a call to end violence against Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQIA+ people. On this day we prioritize healing and the Calls for Justice.It is imperative that we continue to uplift and listen to the voices of Indigeno...
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Okanagan College and Okanagan Indian Band Raise Flag and Celebrate Naming Ceremony at Vernon Campus
September 26, 2024
Visitors to Okanagan College’s Vernon campus will notice the OKIB flag flying proudly in the sky.In a historic and meaningful ceremony at Okanagan College’s Vernon campus, members of the Okanagan Indian Band (OKIB), students, staff, and local community members came together to raise the OKIB flag. The event also marked a special occasion—the official name-giving ceremony for the newly constructed student housing building on the Vernon campus, which will serve as a welcoming space for learners from across the region.After thoughtful consulta...
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Honouring Tradition: Rhea Dupuis Reflects on Okanagan College's 15th Annual Youth Exhibition Powwow
September 20, 2024
A celebration of culture, resilience, and community that continues to inspire future generations.Since joining Okanagan College as Director of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation two years ago, Rhea Dupuis has been a dedicated advocate for strengthening ties between the College and Indigenous communities. A member of the Penticton Indian Band, Dupuis plays a key role in promoting access to education for Indigenous learners while supporting the College’s commitment to Truth and Reconciliation.One of the events that holds particular meani...
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National Indigenous Peoples Day 2024
June 21, 2024
June is National Indigenous History Month in Canada, an opportunity to learn about the unique cultures, traditions and experiences of First Nations, Inuit and Métis. It's a time to honour the stories, achievements and resilience of Indigenous Peoples, who have lived on this land since time immemorial and whose presence continues to impact the evolving Canada. National Indigenous Peoples Day is celebrated on June 21 and coincides with the summer solstice, a day that holds cultural significance for many Indigenous groups.We reflect on th...
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Countdown is on for move-in to new student housing at Okanagan College
March 27, 2024
When the fall term starts in September, the number of students living on campus at Okanagan College in Kelowna will more than double.A new student housing building at the corner of K.L.O. Road and Campus West Road is still a few months away from being move-in-ready; however, OC is anticipating a construction-related milestone in the coming weeks, with the building nearing “substantial completion.”The six-storey building includes elements of mass timber and features unique design elements from two well-known Indigenous artists. It will add 2...
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Mural at Okanagan College honours residential school survivors
November 24, 2023
A large mural that honours residential school survivors has been unveiled at Okanagan College’s Kelowna campus, designed and painted by Syilx artist Sheldon Pierre Louis. Titled suʔkncut’s prayers, the acrylic latex mural measures 10 feet tall by 21 feet wide and raises awareness about the legacy and impacts of the residential school system. The mural was officially unveiled Nov. 24 with a special ceremony at OC’s Kelowna campus. “The mural signifies Okanagan College’s lasting commitment to advancing truth and reconciliation at our campu...
Read more...Medicine wheel and traditional teachings inspire OC students preparing for the workplace
June 5, 2023
Okanagan College students preparing for careers as education assistants are benefiting from teaching that goes beyond what you learn from textbooks and in classrooms. Earlier this spring, a seminar led by Dodie Jones, a member of the Splatsin te Secwépemc, introduced students in the Certified Education Assistant Program in Salmon Arm to the medicine wheel, its significance and meaning. The workshop, titled Medicine Wheel and Traditional Teaching – Grounded in Culture, incorporated traditional teachings of the Secwépemc people and the teac...
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Student Indigenous language learning on display in the OC library
April 27, 2023
Kelowna Campus Library feature display, foyer, April 14 – May 12 N̓syilxčn̓ FNIL120 & FNIL110 are Okanagan College courses that provide opportunities for students to learn words and phrases, and hold conversations in N̓syilxčn̓, the Indigenous language of the Syilx Okanagan people. This term, student creative projects included cupcakes baked using a recipe in N̓syilxčn̓ and an original painting depicting the students in the class. The student works and their stories about the course and what it has meant to them will be o...
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TD gives $85,000 to help kids and newcomers access Okanagan College’s Indigenous Garden
October 18, 2022
Hawthorn, wolf willow, and sage are among the traditional plants growing in the garden on the hillside at Okanagan College’s Vernon campus, which this year was visited by more than 250 local school children, thanks to generous support from TD Bank Group. TD’s gift, made earlier in 2022, is funding tours of the K'nmaĺka Senqâĺten - Kalamalka Indigenous garden for children and newcomers to Canada. The garden is located on Okanagan College’s Vernon campus. Okanagan College has already received a portion of the funding; the remainder will be...
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Convocation stoles featuring Syilx, Secwepemc pictographs honour graduates
June 20, 2022
As Canadians prepare to mark National Indigenous Peoples Day on June 21, Okanagan College is recognizing Indigenous graduates in a new and special way. This year for the first time, Indigenous students who cross the stage at OC convocation and commencement ceremonies are being gifted with a specially designed convocation stole, embroidered with Syilx and Secwepemc pictographs. “On National Indigenous Peoples Day and every day, it is critically important that we remember and appreciate the privilege it is to live, work and play on the beau...
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OC ‘Sticks Up’ for Indigenous Student Awards
April 13, 2022
OC Indigenous Services and the OC Foundation have teamed up for the annual ‘Sticks Up’ campaign. They are excited to launch this fundraiser for the NHL’s 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs. All of the proceeds from this event will benefit the OC ‘Sticks Up’ for Indigenous ɫɫɫƬ Award. Yvonne Oppenheimer and Erica Seymour were the inaugural recipients of the OC ‘Sticks Up’ for Indigenous ɫɫɫƬ Award. The Awards are available to students with Indigenous ancestry who are enrolled in full-time study in any degree, diploma, or certificate progr...
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OC’s Penticton campus hosts Chief Clarence Louie for a discussion about his book, Rez Rules
March 14, 2022
Osoyoos Indian Band Chief Clarence Louie will discuss his book, Rez Rules: My Indictment of Canada's and America's Systemic Racism Against Indigenous People, during a talk at Okanagan College’s Penticton campus next week. Louie was elected chief of the Osoyoos Indian Band in 1984 and has led his community for four decades since. He is known for focusing on economic and business independence in order to strengthen his community, which struggled with poverty. “Chief Clarence Louie is one of the most recognized First Nations leaders in Cana...
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Okanagan College unveils Inspire strategic plan
February 28, 2022
After nearly 60 years of transforming lives and communities, Okanagan College has unveiled the roadmap to its future with an inspiring new plan that keeps the needs of learners – and a growing and changing region – at the forefront. OC’s Board of Governors recently gave unanimous approval to Inspire, the College’s new strategic plan that maps out the mission, vision and priorities of the institution for the coming years. “Okanagan College has long taken its mission to heart, striving to transform lives and communities,” said Juliette Cunn...
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OC Business Professor's stained glass portrait honours Indigenous students, colleagues
January 14, 2022
If you have visited the Kelowna campus’ Centre for Learning and looked up at the second-floor offices, you may have seen colourful stained glass art hanging from the windows. Those pieces were created by OC Business Professor, Devin Rubadeau. During the day, he teaches business administration and in his spare time, he is a stained glass artist. His father taught him how to make industrial art at a young age and since then, stained glass art and woodworking have been two media he always comes back to. While working on his doctorate, howe...
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Soaring Indigenous sculpture unveiled in OC's new Health Sciences Centre
November 3, 2021
A nine metre (30 foot), hand-cut metal sculpture by local Indigenous artist Clint George is now installed and proudly on display in Okanagan College's new Health Sciences Centre. The sculpture represents the Four Food Chiefs, and depicts the Syilx Okanagan oral history (or captikʷɬ) on how food was given. James Coble, Director of Student Services and Indigenization Task Force Chair at Okanagan College, says the sculpture demonstrates the College’s commitment to creating welcoming spaces for Indigenous students. “The opportunity to create...
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