Northwest Community College Connections

NWCC Skills Canada BC Regional Trades Competition 2013 Winners

Junior Skills Category
Spaghetti Bridge — Students from Mount Elizabeth Middle School in Kitimat BC came away with the top prizes with Jared’s team taking first place. Congratulations to all participants, who learned today that spaghetti is not a great building material.

Secondary Skills Category
Automotive
1st place: Scott Beertema, Hazelton Secondary, Hazelton BC
2nd place: Jordan McNiece, Caledonia Senior Secondary, Terrace BC
3rd place: Andrew Martel, Northwest Community College

Carpentry — sponsored by Progressive Ventures
1st place: Brayden Fulljames, Smithers Secondary, Smithers BC
2nd place: William Helps, Smithers Secondary, Smithers BC
3rd place: Kristian Vidal, Caledonia Senior Secondary, Terrace BC

Culinary Arts — sponsored by Sysco Vancouver
1st place: Ben Williams, Hazelton Secondary, Hazelton BC
2nd place: Luc Statham, Charles Hayes Secondary, Prince Rupert BC
3rd place: Phil Ralston, Caledonia Secondary, Terrace BC

Welding — sponsored by KBR
1st place: Kolton Miller, Northwest Community College
2nd place: Jeremy Soares, Caledonia Senior Secondary, Terrace BC
3rd place: Colton Szmata, Mount Elizabeth Middle School, Kitimat BC

Electrical Wiring
1st place: Chris Leblanc, Northwest Community College
2nd place: Duncan Fisher, Northwest Community College
3rd place: Josh Clark, Northwest Community College

Post-Secondary Category
Automotive
1st place: Jocelyn Harris, Northwest Community College
2nd place, tie: Bertram Gonu and Cody Nelson, Northwest Community College

Carpentry
1st place: Brandon Stella, Northwest Community College
2nd place: Ian Fromm, Northwest Community College
3rd place: James Haley, Northwest Community College

Culinary Arts — sponsored by Sysco Vancouver
1st place: Candice Thomas, Northwest Community College
2nd place: Janelle Robinson, Northwest Community College
3rd place: Leah Kolesar, Northwest Community College

Electrical Wiring
1st place: Shonte William, Northwest Community College
2nd place: Linnea Waechter, Northwest Community College
3rd place: Allen Noordhoff, Northwest Community College


Thank you to the sponsors of the Skills Canada BC Regional Competition:
KBR
Progressive Ventures Construction
Galore Creek Mining Corporation
Avanti Kitsault Mine Ltd
Imperial Metals
Shell
Enbridge Northern Gateway Pipelines
Sysco Vancouver
Classic Rock CFNR

Prizes were donated by these generous local businesses:
Convoy Construction Supplies
Spectra Energy
Kaman Industrial Technologies
Rudon Hydraulics Ltd
EB Horsman & Son
Air Liquide
Praxair
NAPA Auto Parts
McCarthy Motors GM
Finning Canada
Western Equipment Ltd
Canadian Tire

First Nations Fine Arts Student Takes Back His Roots

“I’ve always been interested in art. In high school I used to make small wood sculptures and a little bit of jewelry. Art was one of my favourite subjects,” says Angelo Cavagnaro, 20 and a second-year student at NWCC’s Freda Diesing School of Northwest Coast Art. “I didn’t really know about the First Nations Fine Arts program until I finished a Career and College Preparation course in 2011.”

From Gitlakdamix (New Aiyansh), Cavagnaro started a degree in mechanical engineering in Vancouver in the fall of 2011. He came back to the Northwest to pursue his interests in art and learn more about his culture. In his program he is learning traditional art skills in woodcarving. He carves portrait masks, spoons and different styles of bowls.

“This is a unique learning experience that you can’t find anywhere else,” he says.

Courses are taught by world-renowned carvers Stan Bevan (Tahltan/Tlingit/Tsimshian), Ken McNeil (Tahltan/Tlingit/Nisga’a) and Dean Heron (Kaska/Tlingit).

“My instructors are very helpful and it’s an honour to learn from them,” says Cavagnaro. “I do artwork during the day and hang out with students after class. I didn’t know anyone in the program when I started. Now they feel like family.”   

After Angelo graduates with a NWCC Fine Arts Diploma next April he plans to do some travelling.

“I dream of going to New Zealand to learn about the Maori people and their art. But for now I plan to stay in the Northwest. Creating artwork has inspired me to participate more in my culture. Now I want to go fishing and hunting and study the traditional use of plants. Later on I’d like to show others how to live off the land.”

Welding training means success for Jeff Jaarsma and a Northwest employer

Jeff Jaarsma wanted to be a farmer. “I come from a family of farmers. If I could, I would do that but it’s tough to be a full-time farmer these days.” So, through persistence, he got a job with HY-TECH Drilling Ltd. in Smithers. “An amazing employer,” Jeff says. “HY-TECH spoils me”. 

Jeff’s generous and forward-thinking employer is helping to support him while at Northwest Community College (NWCC) for his Level C welding training (ITA accredited) welder training program where he’s learning all the skills required to be a safe, competent trades worker. Although he could have gone elsewhere, his supervisors recommended that Jeff do his training here.

Jeff says that NWCC’s welding program has been really good, and that his instructors, Peter Haigh and Bruce Neid, are great. “They help you out and we have a lot in common apart from school and work.”

Jeff had done some welding on the job and discovered that he has a knack for it. “I enjoy it,” he says. “I like the end result of having built something. I also like the atmosphere of trades – a more hands-on opportunity. A desk job doesn’t suit me.”

When Jeff finishes is Level C welding training in March he will return to HY-TECH as a much more skilled employee. He can continue on to Level B (intermediate) and Level A (highest level) to become a journeyman welder. 

Heavy equipment builds bright futures

After Jessie Louie graduated from high school in Terrace, she decided that following in her father’s footsteps as a heavy equipment operator would be just the thing for her – well paid, secure work anywhere she might choose to go. So she signed up for Northwest Community College’s Heavy Equipment Operator program. “It can be kind of intimidating at first, but it’s so much fun. I love operating the big rock truck.” says Jessie.

Jessie, who describes herself as a “girly-girl”, is now enrolled in Heavy Equipment Operator Apprenticeship (HEO) program (she completed the Heavy Equipment Operator (HEO) Foundation program in May 2012) at NWCC. Both programs incorporate training and practice using simulators. The simulators allow students to operate equipment in a realistic and safe environment. Once students complete theory and simulator training, and thoroughly understand how to safely operate equipment, they graduate to hands-on practice on industry-standard heavy equipment in a real-world work setting.

The HEO Apprenticeship training is the next step in Jessie's receiving her journey-person status and Red Seal certification. As BC‘s economy regains strength after the global economic downturn, the Northwest is experiencing rapidly increasing demand for skilled workers from high-growth industries. The federal government’s recent $537,380 investment in NWCC, specifically to expand heavy equipment operator training across the region, allows students to become those proficient and certified HEO operators that are in high demand throughout the region and the province.

After completing the HEO Foundation program, Jessie immediately got a job at Finning working in the CAT Rental Store and operating equipment, and continues to work part-time as she completes her HEO Apprenticeship training at NWCC.

Jessie receives tremendous support from her family, NWCC, Tahltan Central Council, Iskut First Nations band, BC Hydro and Alta Gas. She says she's grateful for all the help and support she receives and is looking forward to all the opportunities and independence her new skills will bring.

Teens to get "behind the wheel" for second annual Test Drive event

TERRACE – High school seniors, here's your chance to take your future for a spin with Test Drive 2012!

Northwest Community College's (NWCC) second annual event allows high school students in grades 11 and 12 to get a sneak peek at what college and campus life might be like. It goes from July 10-12.

"Test Drive 2012 will give students the opportunity to experience campus life in the Terrace Campus Residence while sampling various College courses and programs," said Irlanda Price, NWCC Manager of Student Development. "Not only that, but they get to participate in social events in the evenings simulating campus life, including what proved really popular last year, a dance party."

Price says the event provides the opportunity for students to gain first-hand experience of what college life is like, helps build on networking skills, and, ideally, opens their eyes to professions and/or areas of study that they would have never considered before.

"Test Drive provides high school students the opportunity to explore several different College careers with the intent to have the student identify with one particular area of study," said Price. "The transition from high school to post secondary can be very overwhelming, confusing and startling for many students; the idea behind Test Drive is to alleviate some of those concerns while offering an experience to meet new students in a relaxed, fun environment."

This year, Test Drive offers an array of activities and workshops for teens, including Team Building, Intro to Trades, Health Sciences, Glacial Geology of Terrace and highlighting the Tastes of Culinary. In addition, NWCC has expanded partnerships to add to the agenda. The University of British Columbia's (UBC) Sauder School of Business, Ch'nook Program will be on site talking about its business programs and how to get to UBC from NWCC; The University of Northern British Columbia's (UNBC) presentation, Fishing for the Future, is a sample of the Collaborative Science Degree offered between NWCC and UNBC Terrace.

And importantly, students coming into post-secondary studies or training need to be savvy about how to pay for their education. They'll find out about financial aid opportunities available to them thanks to the members of the Terrace Campus Student Service Team, who along with Price, are the drivers of the second annual event.

“With the Student Services Team, we found last year the Test Drive wasn't just a benefit to the students, but it's mutually beneficial for our frontline staff to meet the next group of potential students and give them the best advice they can ahead of some important decisions they'll be making," said Price, adding a couple of early registrants are back for a second straight year.

For more information package, click on the poster to the left or email to [email protected]

This program is open to high school students aged 16 to 18 years old. The cost is $150 (includes two nights in the dorms, all your meals, entertainment and a certificate). Space is limited so register early!

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.

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Photo: Jamika Barton, left, and Dacota Aisaican put their cooperative efforts to the test in attempting to build a tower out of only paper and paper clips as part of the Team Building session at last year's NWCC Test Drive event.

 

NWCC pedals its share for BC Bike to Work Week

TERRACE – The results have rolled in and Northwest Community College (NWCC) put in a strong showing for the 2012 version of Bike to Work Week, a provincial initiative from Bike to Work BC.

NWCC was one of 32 teams to register in Terrace for the May 28 to June 3 event, one of three teams with 51 or more members (employees). The other categories had teams from groups or organizations of 21 to 51 members and 10 or fewer.

NWCC had 19 cyclists sign up and over the five weekdays of the event, those 19 cyclists went car-free for 45 of a possible 95 trips, totalling 167 car-free kilometres. The group that stood out above all the rest was the BC Timber Sales team calling themselves the Kispiox Gear Jammers. Just 31 team members logged an impressive 542.5 kilometres!

The total tally for Terrace was:

• Registered Teams 32
• Current Total Cyclists 125
• Current New Cyclists 29
• Total kms Cycled 3378.8

The local coordinator for Bike to Work Week was Chris Gee, an NWCC instructor in the Social Service Worker program.

Check ou the full team results for the Terrace Bike to Work Week event here.

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.

Taking the spring/summer off? Not at NWCC

The 2011 group that made up the Stewart/Telegraph Creek Field School class visits awe-inspiring Salmon Glacier near Stewart and Hyder, Alaska.

 

TERRACE – Northwest Community College's (NWCC) Spring/Summer semester has kicked into gear with a variety of courses to choose from, including the flexibility of online options.

A highlight of NWCC's Spring/Summer semester is the field schools experience, with on-campus and in-the-field learning. In 2012, NWCC offers four such intensive and unique opportunities: the 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.

Field school students get the bonus of earning credits—each field school includes one to two different courses with up to six University Credits—that may satisfy requirements as a core or elective course for a College credential.

In addition to the popular field schools, NWCC offers a variety of Spring/Summer semester courses to choose from with starting dates from now until August. A selection of courses is also available for online and distance learning.

"Northwest Community College's Spring/Summer semester courses offer flexibility for our students," says Lianne Gagnon, NWCC Dean of Student Development & Instruction. "These courses and the field schools are ideal for those students who want to keep their minds active, get a head start on the fall semester or get additional course credits in a short amount of time, or those who are seeking a hands-on and unique learning experience." 

Go to Northwest Connect today and find a course or field school that suits you this Spring/Summer semester. Click the "Guests" link, then click "Search for Classes." On the new page, choose 2012 Spring/Summer from the "Term" drop down list and enter search by the "Subject" and/or  "Location" drop down lists. Then, scroll to the bottom of the page and click "Submit."

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.

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 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.