Northwest Community College Connections

Paula's last blog: Every Bitter Thing is Sweet

    I am very sorry for my absence since my last entry blog in February. It has been a very difficult time for my family and me. I have not been 100 percent myself since my grandfather had his first stroke. I really loved to go to class, though; no matter what, my instructors, class and art made me strong and gave me the will and power to get through this. You probably all have heard about my grandfather, Clifford Bolton.  His death was a big loss for all of us.  

My grandfather, Kitsumkalum master carver, Clifford Bolton passed away April 12, 2012.  He is a great loss for not only the Tsimshian community, but also all nations. He was an inspiration to all artists. In his desire to preserve the Tsimshian culture, he opened a path for artists to explore their own personal visions.  

My grandfather and I were very close-knit. He was a funny man, full of stories and compassion, an exceptional artist and friend. I will miss him greatly.  This picture I took a shot of my grandfather was taken at the Freda Diesing Student exhibition on April 15, 2011.  For the last 6 years, he contributed to the Freda Diesing of Northwest Coast Art School.  I thought I want to share something special he would be remembered where he loved the most was looking at the Northwest Coast pieces and meeting people. 

I am honoured to carry on his carving skills, as the very same instructors who taught him trained me: Stan Bevan, Ken McNeil, Dempsey Bob, and the late Freda Diesing.

The Freda Diesing School of Northwest Coast Art at Northwest Community College changed my whole life. Enrolling in the First Nations Fine Arts program is the best decision I ever made in my life. I am very fortunate to have gotten to know Stan, Ken, Dean, and Dempsey in the last few years, as I have enrolled twice but had to withdraw from the program for family matters. Eventually, I came back in September 2010 to give myself another opportunity. Perhaps it is my lucky charm this time that I was able to complete the Diploma program.

My classmates and I celebrated our year-end show and graduation ceremony on April 13, 2012.  This ceremony is something I will never forget and I would like to give my gratitude to all of my classmates, the sign language interpreters, and all members of NWCC—especially the Freda Diesing instructors.

Beyond the Freda Diesing School, I also have future ideas for my art. At end of March, I received a letter from Emily Carr University (in Vancouver) that I have been accepted to go into the third year of the Visual Arts program there. Unfortunately, I could not accept this spot for September 2012.  Instead, I will be going to the school in September 2013.  Since I was 17 years old, my dream has been to go to Emily Carr.  For this gap year, I will have the opportunity to spend time with the local carvers and practice my carving skills, and try other media on my own. This will give me more confidence in myself so that I know I can do this. 

It has been my privilege to write my last blog for Northwest Community College. Be safe, be happy and please feel free to contact me at: [email protected]

 

Paula Wesley is NWCC's  full-time student blogger! Currently a second-year First Nations Fine Arts student at NWCC's Freda Diesing School of Northwest Coast Art, Paula's mother is Coast Salish from Chilliwack, her father is Tsimshian from Port Essington. Born in 1976 in Terrace, BC, where she currently resides, she says she's inspired by the art of her people and creates art to continue what her people started long before her, "to express my cultures and represent our people through art."

Over the fall and winter semesters, she'll be giving her take on student life at NWCC. We're excited to see and read her posts and encourage you - the college community - to follow along.

 

NWCC students get first-hand look at biodiversity of North Coast

Marine classroom: NWCC biology students, standing from left to right, are Joe Daniels, Jason Daniels, Amarilys Ducharme and Dustin Woodman, with instructor Reto Riesen. In front is student Casey Braam.

PRINCE RUPERT – Northwest Community College (NWCC) students in an Ichthyology class, studying the biology of fish, took advantage of springtime weather for an exciting field trip earlier this month to explore fishing areas within traditional Gitga’at territory, southeast of Prince Rupert.

The Applied Coastal Ecology (ACE) students had the opportunity to engage in some interesting field research to learn more about marine fish diversity in the area and the importance of varied habitat types.

To his knowledge, instructor Chris Picard says the area had never been explored in this way.

"I am not aware of any other fisheries work being completed at our study sites, so ours was likely the first look at fish diversity there." said Picard, adding the group found a wide array of species using the eelgrass and beach habitats.

"This field trip gave the students an opportunity to become familiar with some of the biodiversity the North Coast has to offer," Picard added. "The sites were heavily used by juvenile pink and chum salmon, as well as a variety of other interesting and unique species, such as pipefish and tubesnout—both closely related to the more familiar seahorses in tropical seas. Numerous adult and juvenile flounder, along with several other species were also observed, suggesting the area is important for supporting fish biodiversity. Undoubtedly, had we more time, even more would have been learned and discovered."

Picard says it took a team effort to pull off the trip successfully.

The support of the Gitga’at Guardians was paramount to the overall success of the project. The Guardians, which form part of the Hartley Bay Band’s Land & Marine Resource Department, supported the class's permit application to BC Parks, required to complete research in the area. Extending the hospitality of the Gitga’at, the Guardians also provided the use of their guardian cabin, boat transportation and use of equipment. Picard and the students put in a lot of work, and Prince Rupert Campus Principal Wendy Prystay also worked diligently to ensure all the administrative and permitting requirements were successfully and efficiently addressed. The Gitxaala Nation also supported the BC Parks permit application.

NWCC is a valuable community asset, impacting the lives of students and our communities. Through its nine campuses, 500-plus employees and an annual injection of over $30 million into the local economy, NWCC is an economic engine supporting the many communities that look to us to provide innovative programs and services.

NWCC staff co-author guide for literacy practitioners

HOUSTON – Two Northwest Community College (NWCC) employees, both tireless champions of learning and literacy in the Bulkley Valley and beyond, have been instrumental in creating a new tool for literacy practitioners.

Houston-based Sandi Lavallie, Career & College Prep Instructor and Coordinator, and Dee McRae, Regional Literacy Coordinator, teamed with Anne Docherty of the Storytellers' Foundation in Hazelton to create The ACME Guide to Literacy Practice in Community: A Conversation for Literacy Practitioners.

The result is an interesting and provocative look at those complexities and what it means to engage in meaningful literacy practice. Written in an innovative and engaging comic book style and addressed directly to literacy practitioners, it is an accessible and highly engaging conversation for practitioners and tutors in adult literacy settings.

"This guide is about the nature of literacy and the implications for practice," said Lavallie. "It is intended as a professional development tool that will spark dialogue, debate, ideas and reflection about how we define literacy, how we define literacy progress, and other 'big picture' questions.
 
"While it was originally intended to be a fun, informal introduction to measurement, we found that as we wrote, we kept going back to the essence of literacy practice. We first need to look closely at literacy and learning in community to really see the complexities.”

Lianne Gagnon, NWCC's Dean of Student Development and Instruction has read the guide, finding it to be both informative and fun.

"I'm very pleased that Northwest Community College—through the effort, skill and passion of Sandi and Dee—has played a significant part in creating this great new literacy resource," said Gagnon. "Sandi, Dee and Anne possess a wealth of literacy experience and it is reflected in this book for practitioners. These three individuals are well known for their expertise in literacy and their successful grassroots initiatives. The Northwest region is a more literate place because of their endeavours. I recommend the guide to anyone in the field of literacy."

The guide is a product of the project From the Ground Up: A Research-in-Practice Approach to Outcome-Oriented Program Evaluation managed by RiPAL-BC (Research in Practice in Adult Literacy–BC) in partnership with Literacy BC and funded by the Office of Literacy and Essential Skills, Human Resources and Skills Development Canada.

In addition to viewing it here in PDF format, the College has six copies available at its campus libraries in Hazelton, Houston, Kitimat, Prince Rupert, Smithers and Terrace.

NWCC is a valuable community asset, impacting the lives of students and our communities. Through its nine campuses, 500-plus employees and an annual injection of over $30 million into the local economy, NWCC is an economic engine supporting the many communities that look to us to provide innovative programs and services.

Student Services Team welcomes much-needed computer donation

TERRACE – Students with disabilities at Northwest Community College (NWCC) have benefitted directly by a generous donation of refurbished laptops, thanks to the Computers for Schools BC (CFS-BC) initiative.

The laptops are proving to be invaluable for enhancing NWCC's Student Services Team, in particular the Accessibility Services Coordinators, who work with students with disabilities to pursue their post-secondary education.

The donated refurbished laptops were distributed among NWCC's campuses where the need was greatest—Terrace, Kitimat, Smithers and Prince Rupert. There, they are readily available for the students to use; students can just sign them out for the term, or for just a day as required, says Terrace-based Accessibility Services Coordinator Pat Stone.  
 
Stone adds the students are using the computers to help them in a number of ways, by facilitating learning processes and by lightening the load they have to physically carry on a day-to-day basis. These students are benefitting from an online textbook service with large print, PDF, audio and e-book format from CILS, a library service for people with disabilities, along with standard word processing and internet capabilities.

"We are so pleased with the immediate benefits these computers have brought to our students," said Stone. "The students we help face greater challenges than able-bodied students and to augment the tools they have at their disposal can provide a major boost to their learning outcomes."

She says feedback from the students they help has been overwhelmingly positive. Students have said having access to a laptop means they don't have to carry around as many heavy books, that e-books and laptops have helped with vocabulary and that it saves on the physical toll some students with disabilities can encounter by having to get to the campus computer lab.

CFS-BC provides quality refurbished computer equipment to schools, libraries, community access  sites and learning focused not-for-profit organizations across BC. Computers for Schools BC is administered by British Columbia Technology for Learning Society and was incorporated in 1995.

NWCC is a valuable community asset, impacting the lives of students and our communities. Through its nine campuses, 500-plus employees and an annual injection of over $30 million into the local economy, NWCC is an economic engine supporting the many communities that look to us to provide innovative programs and services.

Student success: focus on NWCC Field Schools

As the winter semester comes to an end and attention at Northwest Community College (NWCC) switches to the start of spring/summer semester offerings, nursing student Kim Latimer says students should really look at the unique series of field schools offered between now and September.

Latimer, who is finishing her second year of the Northern Collaborative Baccalaureate Nursing Program and transfers to UNBC this fall for third and fourth years, can't say enough about the hands-on learning experience she had in 2011 taking the Stewart/Telegraph Creek Field School.

"It was great," said Latimer. "You spend the first week in the class doing really interactive learning, then head up north for the last week to put the theory into practice. You get to stay in neat accommodations and see some pretty amazing landscapes. I'm not joking when I say we must have seen over 30 bears!"

The field school appealed to Latimer, a horse riding enthusiast who likes the outdoors and experiential learning. She says it offered a unique opportunity to visit Telegraph Creek.

"Telegraph Creek isn't a community you can visit on your own, you need to have permission from the people who reside there," said Latimer. "This was a unique opportunity to explore the Tahltan culture and territory."

And when you consider she earned six credits towards her nursing program—an anthropology credit, which was used as her First Nations focus elective and a geology credit satisfying her 200-level elective—you can see why she'd encourage others to do the same.

Latimer says you don't need to be outdoorsy or an extreme hiker to participate either, adding the instructors are super accommodating to everyone.

"I really have to applaud (University Credit instructors) Gord (Weary) and Sheree (Ronaasen), they make the whole thing so enjoyable and entertaining. It's neat to learn from people who really love what they teach, it really engages us as students."

The 2008 Caledonia Secondary School graduate listed several personal highlights from the field school: "I really enjoyed Stewart. I've been there before and it's such a neat community, definitely somewhere I will consider working in the future. Hiking under the Berendon Glacier was pretty surreal, too.

"I had no background in geology, so that course gave me a pretty broad perspective of what geology's all about. I really enjoyed hearing stories that First Nations Elders tell; they are such a unique culture in regards to their traditions and background."

This spring and summer, NWCC offers four field schools with on-campus learning followed by in-the-field learning: Cultural Heritage of the Skeena and Bulkley Valley Field School from April 30 to May 18 at NWCC Smithers Campus; Kitlope Field School from June 15-28 at NWCC Terrace Campus; Haida Gwaii Field School from July 18-31 at the Haida Heritage Centre at  Kaay Llnagaay, plus Terrace videoconference; and Stewart/Telegraph Creek Field School from Aug. 15-31 at NWCC Terrace Campus.

Each field school includes one to two different courses for up to six University Credits. Go to the field schools page on NWCC's website  for more information.

Latimer, who envisions a nursing career working in remote locations before eventually moving to live and work as a trauma/ER nurse in Australia, says another benefit of field schools is keeping your mind active and inquisitive during the spring and summer semesters. The field school she took part in ran the last two weeks in August and she says it was a good way to get into school mode a little early.

For more photos from last year's Stewart/Telegraph Creek Field School, click here.

NWCC is a valuable community asset, impacting the lives of students and our communities. Through its nine campuses, 500-plus employees and an annual injection of over $30 million into the local economy, NWCC is an economic engine supporting the many communities that look to us to provide innovative programs and services.

 

Punjabi New Year celebration a hit at NWCC!

NWCC's Waap Haawk cafeteria was full today for a colourful and lively Vaisakhi celebration at the Terrace Campus.

Students in the Northwest School of Culinary Arts put on an a delicious East Indian Buffet to celebrate the New Year in the Punjab, and with the help of Skeena Diversity, the hundred or so who came to eat were treated to a cultural experience from the Bhangra Dancers (see pictures).

Freda Diesing 2012 Exhibit: Arts of the North

Come check out the beautiful art work from the talented students at Northwest Community College's Freda Diesing School of Northwest Coast Art this Friday and Saturday. This is the 6th annual Freda Diesing student exhibit held at the Waap Galts 'ap Terrace Campus.

A variety of carvings, paintings and more from both first- and second-year First Nations Fine Arts students will be showcased and priced to sell.

All are invited to meet, greet, mingle and discuss the art with the artists themselves over the weekend exhibition.

Christines Blog - That's all she wrote

I WAS getting excited that this week was my last blog until I realized that it also meant this is my last month in the Business Program at NWCC.

This got me thinking about the times I’ve had and things I learned. I’ve written about lots of my experiences, but sometimes there are little tips and tricks you pick up along the way such as:

• If you come to school early, there’s tons of parking
• No matter how many times you beg for an open book test, it won’t happen
• Affordable school doesn’t mean a cheap education
• When the snow is gone, you’re no longer allowed to make up parking spots
• Get involved!  There are lots of opportunities and adventures available if you have an open mind and are willing to try new things
• Always go to class! A good professor can motivate you to take over the world, a boring one will help you catch up on sleep

There are some things I’m going to miss about going to school but I’m looking forward to being an entrepreneur and starting my own clothing store. Who knows, maybe I’ll blog about those experiences one day…

So as I wrap things up, I just wanted to say “Thanks” to NWCC for all the opportunities you’ve given me and the life lessons you’ve taught me. Also, thanks to all the people that have taken a few minutes out of their day to visit my blog and read my weekly rant.

And before I forget, Dr David Try is looking for a cat/kitten for his two girls. Please feel free to send him an email at [email protected] if you know of any to give away.

Cheers

Christine Leclerc is NWCC's first ever full-time student blogger! She's a second-year Business Administration student in Terrace who took part in a study exchange to China earlier this year. Over the fall and winter semesters, she'll be giving her take on student life at NWCC. We're excited to see and read her posts and encourage you - the college community - to follow along. She's looking forward to getting your feedback and maybe some inspiration, too, throughout her blogging experience. And in case you're wondering, that's her beloved English bulldog Maddox!

NWCC ESA program graduates close to 400 students

TERRACE - Thanks to Northwest Community College’s (NWCC) government-sponsored Employment Skills Access (ESA) program, 372 Northwest BC residents are now prepared to take advantage of new job opportunities in the region. 

By waiving covering the cost of tuition, student fees, and the cost of books and materials, and sometimes transportation and childcare costs, the ESA program aims to help unemployed and low-skilled workers access training and transition into new jobs. 

“We – meaning the college, Northwest BC and its residents – have been extremely fortunate to receive this funding,” said Margo Van der Touw, NWCC Dean of Workforce Training and Continuing Studies. “The funding translates into locals accessing free training, and finding well-paid and challenging work on big projects coming to the area. This benefits the region as well as industry looking for skilled, certified workers.”

NWCC has received ESA funding through the government for three years. This year, ESA is funding five intensive training programs developed specifically to meet the needs of Northwest BC communities and industry projects in the area. These are Construction Trades Helpers and Labourers; Essential Office Skills; Industry Field Medic; Value-Added Carpentry; and Value-Added Heavy-Equipment Operator. 

Programs are running in communities throughout the region including Gitanyow, Gitwangak, Gitwinksihlkw, Hazelton, Kitimat, Prince Rupert, Smithers, Terrace and on Haida Gwaii, in Masset and Skidegate.

“Programs like Employment Skills Access help unemployed British Columbians get the kind of training opportunities they need to secure employment in their regions,” said Pat Bell, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation. “ESA programs, along with our other skills and trades training programs, are helping to build a strong skilled labour workforce, which will help us meet the future labour demands in our province, particularly in the North.”

Already, a high percentage of ESA-funded graduates have found jobs or are continuing their education. Just last month Tiffany Rush of Gitanyow and Becky Buck of Terrace completed the Essential Office Skills program in Terrace. 

“I thought it would only be office skills we learned, but there was actually a lot about self-worth in the course, too,” said Rush, who hopes to take more training. “I’m really proud of myself. I’m normally shy but this class taught me to come out of my shell. Just this week, one of my friends told me I seemed more confident.”

“I was never a big fan of school, but this course made me realize if I commit to something, I can succeed,” said Buck. “I feel like I did really well and I can’t wait to use the skills I’ve learned.”

One more ESA-funded course is starting at the end of this month and eligible students are encouraged to apply. Construction Trades Helpers and Labourers will run in Terrace from April 23 to June 15. 

To be eligible for free tuition, participants must be unemployed. They also must not be collecting Employment Insurance, have not collected it in the past three years or, if it was a maternity or parental claim, have not collected it in the past five years.

For more information, contact NWCC ESA Case Manager Carrie Hobenshield at [email protected] or toll-free 1.877.277.2288 Ext 5267.

NWCC also expects to offer ESA-funded programs again next year and students can start applying in late summer.

ESA funding is provided through the Canada-British Columbia Labour Market Agreement. 

NWCC is a valuable community asset impacting the lives of students and our communities. Through its nine campuses, 500-plus employees and an annual injection of more than $30 million in the local economy, NWCC is an economic engine supporting the many communities that look to us to provide innovative programs and services.

Funding provided through the Canada-British Columbia Labour Market Agreement

 

Nisga'a Dancers welcome NWCC students in unique learning experience

TERRACE – Northwest Community College (NWCC) students enrolled in the Early Childhood Education (ECE) program got the chance to meet recently with their peers for a spirited weekend of learning, sharing and culture.

The ECE program is offered in a distance format consisting of audio teleconference, weekend seminars, practical field work and online learning. While this multi-mode format emphasizes the importance of learning in students' own communities, the times when they can meet face-to-face are especially valued, says program coordinator Jessica Hrechka-Fee.

"Our distance ECE students travelled from Iskut, Smithers, Kinkolith and Prince Rupert—from throughout the Northwest—to Terrace for a weekend of shared learning and culture," said Hrechka-Fee.

From here, the Terrace-based students planned and brought the whole group to a Gitlaxdax Nisga'a Dance Group practice at the Nisga'a Hall as part of the program's Working with Families course. It made for a day of traditional dancing, local culture and sharing part of "their community" with their classmates.

"ECE students are applying their knowledge in their community," says Hrechka-Fee. "They are showing their understanding of the value of culture, families and community. All together, our students thoroughly enjoyed learning a few Nisga'a songs and dances."

"Visiting the Gitlaxdax Nisga'a Dance Group practice was beyond awesome!," said ECE student Kia Morgan. "I couldn't believe how much I have missed dancing. I plan to go to more practices with my classmates."

The benefit to students of such an exercise is hard to quantify or describe in a program curriculum, says Hrechka-Fee. "Our students could see the power of culture to a family. They felt the students' emotions when they shared part of their culture with the whole group. Students were able to share a part of who they are with people they might work with. They discovered connecting classroom and community is not difficult, and it helps build relationships, support families and allows learning to occur in many ways."

Sincere thanks go to the Gitlaxdax Nisga'a Dance Group for inviting the ECE class to share in the cultural experience and providing such a welcoming environment.

NWCC is a valuable community asset impacting the lives of students and our communities. Through its nine campuses, 500-plus employees and an annual injection of more than $30 million in the local economy, NWCC is an economic engine supporting the many communities that look to us to provide innovative programs and services.