Northwest Community College Connections

NWCC students earn national awards

TERRACE – A half dozen Northwest Community College (NWCC) students have been awarded 2011-12 scholarships from Indspire, a national charitable organization formerly known as the National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation (NAAF).

The deserving winners from NWCC are:

Evelyne Fowler, Terrace – $1,500 to complete a one-year Applied Business Technology program at NWCC (pictured with NWCC President Dr. Denise Henning, right).

Cecilia Morgan, Prince Rupert – $1,300 to continue in the second year of a three-year University Credit - Associate of Science Degree program at NWCC

Theresa Quock, Terrace – $1,200 to complete a one-year Automotive Service Technician Foundations program at NWCC

Kelvin Robinson, Terrace – $500 to complete the final year of a two-year First Nations Fine Arts program at NWCC

Lee Russ, Masset – $800 to complete the final year of a two-year First Nations Fine Arts program at NWCC

Robert White, Prince Rupert – $2,800 to complete the final year of a two-year First Nations Fine Arts program at NWCC

NWCC strives to keep its students in tune of any and all applicable financial awards and bursaries, which facilitate access to post-secondary education and act as an incentive for student excellence.

Robinson, a Nuxalk originally from Bella Coola on BC's central coast, used his award to help pay for his diploma year in the First Nations Fine Arts program at NWCC's Freda Diesing School of Northwest Coast Art. Robinson recently celebrated his graduation from the program, which he says has been a life-changer.

"I feel like with what I have learned in the First Nations Fine Arts program, I am really just finding myself," said Robinson. "I'm discovering the purpose of the art."

Robinson adds the skills he acquired at the School will serve him well in his goal to become a respected artist on the Northwest Coast.

Indspire has evolved into the largest non-governmental funding body for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis post-secondary students across Canada. Based in Ontario, Indspire is described as being dedicated to raising funds to deliver programs that provide the necessary tools for Indigenous peoples, especially youth, to achieve their potential. In total, Indspire has disbursed over $49 million to 14,000-plus recipients since its inception and offers financial assistance (scholarships and bursaries) through four major categories: Post Secondary Education, Fine Arts, Health Careers, and Oil & Gas Aboriginal Trades & Technology.

Pictured above is NWCC President Dr. Denise Henning, centre, flanked by two 2011-12 Indspire scholarship winners, Robert White, second from left and Kelvin Robinson, second from right. With them are Freda Diesing School of Northwest Coast Art instructors Ken McNeil, far left, and Dean Heron, far right.

Challenging the Paradigm is back at NWCC

Marie-Eve Drouin-Gagne, a PhD student at Montreal's Concordia University, leads a discussion on The Evolutionist Explanation, and the Challenge of Indigenous Higher Education. Her presentation was at NWCC Terrace Campus Waap Galts'ap during the first day of Challenging the Paradigm 2012.


TERRACE – Challenging the Paradigm 2012 is in full swing today, the first of three full days of Northwest Community College's (NWCC) annual gathering that centres discussion and learning activities around decolonizing post-secondary education.

This year, Challenging the Paradigm's theme is Teaching, Learning & Knowing in Both Worlds and features keynote speaker Gerald Taiaiake Alfred (see bio below).

In addition to Taiaiake, the gathering attracts people from around the province and the rest of Canada. Organizer Seth Downs, NWCC Manager of Events & Conference Planning, says this year there are representatives from several Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island institutes, including Capilano University, Simon Fraser University, University of the Fraser Valley, Justice Institute of BC, Camosun College, Vancouver Community College, University of Victoria, and representatives from the University of Northern BC, Prince Rupert School District no.52 and from as far away as Toronto's George Brown College and Concordia University in Montreal.

The conference kicked off Wednesday night with a welcome reception from NWCC President, Dr. Denise Henning at Waap Haawk.

Today, the first full day, is packed with speakers/breakout sessions from 10am to 5pm. Among the speakers and the topics they are covering are: Mark Fettes (SFU) – LUCID Teaching: Decolonizing the Imagination; Audrey Woods & Ed Harrison (UNBC) – Dividing one life between two worlds; Molly Wickham (NWCC) – Turning Points: Challenging perceptions of decolonization; Marie-Eve Drouin-Gagne (PhD student, Concordia University) – The Evolutionist Explanation, and the Challenge of Indigenous Higher Education; and Sheree Ronaassen and Gordon Weary (NWCC) – Power of Field School Learning.

Friday morning will see the keynote address by Taiaiake Alfred, followed by a new and unique addition to Challenging the Paradigm, half-day field school learning experiences to the Nass Valley and Kitselas Canyon National Historic Site.

Challenging the Paradigm wraps up on Saturday with an open-floor for all participants to discuss how to move forward with decolonizing the education system. Dr. Henning will moderate this discussion, focusing on the topics/experiences from the previous two days.

This marks the fourth Challenging the Paradigm gathering at NWCC since it was started in 2009. With the exception of 2011, it is an annual event that all NWCC staff, post-secondary educators and administrators are encouraged to attend.

For Dr. Henning, a Cherokee/Choctaw originating from Creek County in Oklahoma, Challenging the Paradigm is an event tied directly to her expertise and knowledge in the post-secondary world, which has been marked by a dedication to inclusion and equity in higher education and to increasing the knowledge and appreciation, by all people, of the rich heritages of Indigenous peoples in North America.

"Challenging the Paradigm is an opportunity to share ideas that are essential to making post-secondary education accessible and meaningful to all students,” said Dr. Henning. "Decolonizing post-secondary education is but one pillar in the success of Aboriginal students that we our proud to be helping to lead."

Registration is still open for one and two-day participation. See the website for details.
 
Challenging the Paradigm keynote speaker Gerald Taiaiake Alfred:
Gerald Taiaiake Alfred is a Professor of Indigenous Governance at the University of Victoria, where he specializes in studies of traditional governance, the restoration of land-based cultural practices, and decolonization strategies. He has been awarded a Canada Research Chair, a National Aboriginal Achievement Award in the field of education, and the Native American Journalists Association award for best column writing.

Educated at Concordia and Cornell universities, Taiaiake has lectured around the world and has served as an advisor on land and governance and on cultural restoration for his own and many other First Nation governments and Indigenous organizations. His writing includes scholarly articles and reports, newspaper columns, non-fiction essays, and three published books, Wasase, a runner-up for the McNally Robinson Aboriginal Book of the Year in 2005; Peace, Power, Righteousness; and, Heeding the Voices of Our Ancestors.

Labour board issue resolved at NWCC

TERRACE – An agreement has been reached between Northwest Community College (NWCC) and the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) related to a Labour Relations Board application made by CUPE.

The agreement was reached in a settlement meeting chaired by mediator Ken Saunders, March 27 and 28.

"We are pleased that we were able to resolve this issue through this informal process," said NWCC President Dr. Denise Henning. "A formal hearing would have been costly for both the Union and the College.

"We are pleased with the outcome of this process and look forward to moving forward with a plan immediately that ensures that the consultative process set out in the CUPE Collective Agreement is followed.

"Our priority is to ensure that NWCC employees, who belong to CUPE and may be affected by layoffs, have the opportunity to exercise their rights."

New plaque unveiled at Prince Rupert Indigenous Gardens

Tsimshian Elder Leonard Alexcee, centre, blesses the new plaque that will be installed at NWCC Prince Rupert Campus's Indigenous Gardens. NWCC instructor Judy Thompson, right, holds the plaque, while NWCC President Dr. Denise Henning, left, holds up an umbrella for an Elder.

PRINCE RUPERT – Local Elders joined staff, students and invited guests at Northwest Community College's (NWCC) Prince Rupert Campus March 9 in a short ceremony to bless a bronze plaque that will mark the Indigenous Garden.

Judy Thompson, NWCC First Nations Studies instructor and Nancy Mackin, MRAIC Phd (who originally designed the garden), invited the Kaien Elders from the Prince Rupert Friendship House to a presentation during a meeting of the College's First Nations Council.

In a moving and powerful event, First Nations representatives from throughout the Northwest met and introduced themselves, many sharing their First Nations names and lineage. The Elders joined the First Nations Council, including NWCC President Dr. Denise Henning, for lunch. After lunch, everyone proceeded to the Indigenous Garden where Elder Leonard Alexcee, a member of the Tsimshian Nation of Lax Kw'alaams from the Killer Whale Clan, blessed the bronze plaque. The plaque is embossed with the Sm'algyax words SUWILAAY'MSGM S'NOODYN A TAX'NII GOO and the English translation of "The Learning Garden of Everything".

The plaque will be fixed on a rock in the middle of the garden providing a centrepiece for the many varieties of Indigenous plants. The garden supports the Prince Rupert Campus's journey towards incorporating Indigenous knowledge in post-secondary education.

"Listening to the Elders and members of the First Nations council speak of their connection to their territories was both moving and humbling," said Wendy Prystay, NWCC Prince Rupert Campus Manager. "We were very proud to host this event and look forward to the continued involvement of the Elders on our campus."

NWCC created Indigenous Gardens at its Prince Rupert and Terrace campuses in 2008. They showcase local plants and flora with symbolic meanings for the College community, including staff, students and the region's Aboriginal people.

NWCC President addresses budget concerns

TERRACE – President Denise Henning has been meeting with employees at NWCC campuses this week to receive input from the College community about possible collaborative solutions to address NWCC’s deficit.

President Henning states, “We are going around to the campuses and having these town hall- type meetings with employees. The reason we are doing this is because we are very committed to people and we are very committed to processes that are transparent.”

NWCC’s deficit is estimated to be between $1.6M and $2M. At the end of October 2011, employees were told NWCC was facing a deficit of approximately $1.3M. Further review of the college financials completed in early January 2012 indicates the deficit will be higher than first projected because revenue will not meet expectations.

Henning continued, “I took this job knowing NWCC had a deficit of over a million dollars. Instead of coming in and presenting a balanced budget last year, which would have meant major cuts without any strategic direction looking toward the future, I asked the government for a year’s grace so we could do the important work of Priority Planning – that is, receiving input about what’s important for our community members, business and industry, our students and our employees. We needed to do this so we could make informed decisions not only to address our deficit, but more importantly, to transform NWCC into a vibrant, sustainable community college.”

NWCC’s administration, along with union leadership, is asking employees and the public for collaborative solutions to address the deficit while at the same time, minimizing impact to students and staff. Meetings with employees will continue at all NWCC campuses giving everyone the opportunity to voice their suggestions and concerns. A website is being developed that will contain budget updates and people can submit their money-saving suggestions to [email protected]
An announcement will be made once the website is available.

“This is an extremely difficult time for all of us and some hard decisions will need to be made,” Henning said. “These decisions will be made collaboratively and inclusively using NWCC’s mission, values and principles as a framework. We will all work together on solutions that will support our students, communities and employees.”

An open letter from NWCC President, Dr. Denise Henning

January 12, 2012

Dear students and community members,

NWCC is currently operating in a deficit situation which at this time is estimated to be $1.7 million dollars. We were allowed to run a deficit last year so that we could carry out the important work of Priority Planning, but our grace period is up. According to the College and Institute Act, we must eliminate this deficit and turn in a balanced budget for the coming fiscal year. Our Board of Governors understands and recognizes the need to balance our budget, and both management and union leadership are collaboratively working together through every step of the process to minimize the impact to our students and employees.

These are challenging times for all of us and NWCC’s administration and union leadership will have to make some difficult decisions over the next 8-10 weeks. We will do our best to be open, transparent and supportive during this process, and keep you informed as much as possible over the coming months.

To that end, we will be launching a website at budget.nwcc.bc.ca that will serve as a central repository for updates to our students, employees and communities. In addition, we will be creating an email account at [email protected] so people can make inquiries, voice their concerns and make suggestions on how NWCC can save money. I will be holding town hall meetings and will share those dates as soon as they have been confirmed.

Despite our current economic challenges, we will continue to provide our students with high-quality educational experiences.  We are proud of everything we have accomplished for our students, alumni and communities and will continue to demonstrate NWCC’s importance to Northwest BC.

 

Thank you,

 

Dr. Denise K. Henning
NWCC CEO and President

Christmas season generosity helps fill NWCC Student Food Bank

TERRACE – A great evening of Christmas stories and music, including a reading from Northwest Community College (NWCC) President, Dr. Denise Henning, delighted a crowd of over a hundred people while helping local food banks prepare for the busy holiday season.

Christmas By Candlelight: Stories for the Season took place at Knox United Church on Sunday, Dec. 18.  All proceeds from the evening's events were shared between the Terrace Churches Food Bank and the NWCC Student Food Bank. Joining Dr. Henning, this year's readers included CBC Radio One personality Carolina De Ryk, pastor Joel Ringma, and Caledonia Senior Secondary School teacher, Al Lehmann. Music by Alisa Thompson, Aurora Quintet and the NorthWest Singers.

"It is great to see community support of the food banks," says Melanie Wilke, NWCC Head Librarian and coordinator of the student food bank. "It is also fun as an adult to have both traditional and new Christmas stories being read to you."

Wilke says $1,401.12 was raised for the two food banks. The community event was funded by the Terrace District Arts Council and the Terrace Public Library and supported by Misty River Books.

 

Santa spreads joy at NWCC

Santa made a quick pitstop to NWCC's annual holiday dinner last Thursday night. While NWCC employees and their families dined on delicious steak and seafood dishes prepared by the culinary arts students, Santa handed out presents to the kids in attendance.

"I know folks at NWCC work hard all year long so it's wonderful to share the holiday joy with their children and families," Santa said.

Suzanne LeBlanc, NWCC Director of HR, started this holiday tradition last year as a way to thank NWCC employees for their dedicated service.

Click here for more pics...

It's official: NWCC Smithers Campus is open!

 

Cutting the ribbon to officially open NWCC's Smithers Campus is, from left, NWCC Board of Governors Chair Rhoda Witherly, Vancouver-Fairview MLA Margaret MacDiarmid, Wet'suwet'en Chief Gyologet Darlene Glaim and NWCC President and CEO, Dr. Denise Henning.

SMITHERS – The public answered Northwest Community College's invitation today as hundreds came out for a street party to mark the official opening of the newly-renovated, state-of-the-art Smithers Campus.

The day's festive atmosphere reached its peak with the blessing and raising of a 28-foot red cedar totem pole, carved by local artists Ron Austin and James Madam. Raised in partnership with the Wet’suwet’en, the pole marks the symbolic last piece of the project.

"This project has been about partnerships from day one and today all those partners and all our communities were represented in a celebration that owes so much to this beautiful and stunning pole that will greet everyone who comes to our Smithers Campus," said Dr. Denise Henning, NWCC President and CEO.

The campus itself opened to classes earlier this year for the spring and summer semesters following an 18-month, two-phase renewal and expansion project. The result, exclaimed visitors and speakers alike today, is a beautiful and modern facility.

Dr. Henning said the transformed campus meets the College's needs to improve and expand the learning opportunities in Smithers and it does so while incorporating the latest in sustainable building technology – a Gold LEED design.

"With this new campus, Northwest Community College can better meet the needs of our students and the community," said Dr. Henning. "The expanded learning facilities mean when opportunities come to our region, we'll be here to help students get the skills they need to take those opportunities."

Visitors toured the new campus throughout the day and they were treated to First Nations singing and drumming and a ceremonial feast following the pole raising.

In addition to being a joint federal-provincial Knowledge Infrastructure Program (KIP) project, the renewal and expansion work was also part of an overall $14-billion capital infrastructure program supported by the Province that will create up to 88,000 jobs and help build vital public infrastructure in every region of B.C.

Click here for more pictures of the Smithers campus opening and pole raising...

President Henning's question to Premier Clark

Premier Clark and Pat Bell, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation, visited Terrace on July 7 and held a town hall meeting. The following is Dr. Henning's question to Premier Clark, followed by an audio clip of the Premier's and Minister Bell's answer.

Thank you very much, Premier Clark and thank you, Minister Bell for coming to Terrace.

I'm new here and what I’d like to talk about is the fact that 8% of voters have an interest in education and I have a deep concern about that because we talk about building the economy, we talk about jobs, we talk about the employment needs of business and industry, and with only 8% of the voters interested in education, I am deeply concerned about how we’re going to meet those needs.

With only an 8% interest in education, I have a deep concern on how we’re going to meet those needs. I’m also concerned about the funding formula… just for me to go to Victoria or Vancouver to do business, it costs my institution $1400 a day, which is more than my southern counterparts pay. So that’s one thing that should be considered when looking at funding colleges in remote regions.

I work in this industry because I’m passionate about the way my life, and the lives of my family have changed because of education. The cycle of poverty has ceased in my family because of my education. I am the first in my family to graduate from grade 12 and from university, and I have the privilege and honour to see peoples’ lives – families’ lives change as a result of education. I see lives changed by education every day and I love working in rural and remote communities because they are the heart and soul of North America.

So, I want to ask you, how are you going to increase the funding? How are you going to provide education? The alternative to funding education is building more prisons.

Hover your mouse over the grey bar below and click the arrow to the left of Clark to hear the answer.

Clark