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College of the Rockies aboriginal gathering place is currently under construction. K'tunaxa community members and College of the Rockies recently celebrated CBT’s $200,000 contribution. Back row: Allen Nicholas, councillor, Akisqnuk First Nation; Corrie Walkley, councillor, St. Mary’s Indian Band; and Nick Rubidge, College of the Rockies president. Front row: Sandra Luke, councillor, Lower Kootenay Indian Band; Bob Luke, councillor, Tobacco Plains Indian Band; Joe Pierre, councillor, St. Mary’s Indian Band; Carrie Schafer, CBT community liaison; and Rosemary Nicholas, strategic workforce coordinator, Ktunaxa Nation Council. (Photo courtesy Columbia Basin Trust)
Two new aboriginal ‘gathering places’ are going to give first-nation students at Selkirk College in Castlegar and College of the Rockies in Cranbrook a place to find support and gather together while getting their education.
The total cost of $2.5 million will be offset in part by a contribution of $400,000 from Columbia Basin Trust (CBT) whose president and CEO, Neil Muth, says, “The Aboriginal Gathering Places will enhance culturally relevant support for current and future Aboriginal students, as well as provide an opportunity for others to learn about Aboriginal culture. We’re pleased to help fund these projects, which will enhance our local institutions and improve the college experience of the Basin’s Aboriginal residents.”
Nearly 7,000 first-nation students live in the Columbia Basin, many of whom live away from home and the traditional support systems of family and community. It is hoped that the gathering places will be a welcome haven for the students as well as playing a role in educating non-aboriginal students about the history and culture of Canada’s first nations.
College of the Rockies president and CEO, Dr. Nick Rubidge, says, “Our Aboriginal Gathering Place will be a place of welcome to all Aboriginal people within the College and beyond, and will provide a welcoming environment for all College students and community members to meet, study and socialize.”
The two colleges have committed to linking to each other as well as to the gathering place at Okanagan College in Salmon Arm in order to be more effective in operations, events and guest speakers visiting the regions.
Selkirk College’s gathering place is expected to be completed by late spring 2011 while the College of the Rockies space will take a little longer, being completed in two or three years. Timber, sawn lumber, gravel and labor will be contributed by local K’tunaxa organizations.
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