OCNews

Okanagan College's Jewell Gillies is co-hosting a six-week workshop series that will help post-secondary professionals in student-facing roles facilitate student success and contribute to long-term improvements for Indigenous students and communities.

Gillies joins College of New Caledonia’s Executive Director of Aboriginal Education, Marlene Erickson, to deliver an engaging overview of the BCcampus Pulling Together: A Guide for Front-Line Staff, Student Services, and Advisors resource – an open education resource – which reflects a holistic way for post-secondary workers to serve Indigenous students.

The interactive series begins on March 4 and requires a commitment of three hours of asynchronous study and self-reflection, along with one 90-minute synchronous session every Thursday for six weeks. A variety of methods will be used to facilitate the workshops including guest speakers and hearing from an Elder, a student panel and a keynote.

Event description
Many Indigenous students are first-generation learners at post-secondary institutions, and their interactions with front-line staff and service providers inform how they share their experience with their family and community. One negative experience can create harm and mistrust. Positive experiences help Indigenous students feel respected and build trust with staff and faculty. This can lead to future generations wanting to further their post-secondary education. The Pulling Together series is an opportunity for you to better understand Indigenous students and figure out how both you and your area or department can work to ensure supportive student experiences. By pulling together, we can facilitate student success and contribute to long-term improvements for Indigenous students and communities.

Register now
Registration is limited to just 50 participants. If interested, please register now to attend the series. 

Visit the event page for details

Register now

About Jewell Gillies

Jewell Gillies is Musgamagw Dzawada’enuxw of the Kwakwaka’wakw Nation (northern Vancouver Island). After completing two years of study toward a criminal justice diploma at University of the Fraser Valley, Jewell spent time as a police officer in Vancouver. However, after six years in law enforcement, Jewell had to accept that the uniform was a barrier to the goals they wanted to achieve, as it represented a disturbing history for the individuals Jewell was trying to connect to and help. Jewell switched gears and began working in the educational system. Now, in their work in the Aboriginal Services Department of Okanagan College, Jewell is recognizing that they are in a better position to effect real change. They are also responsible for creating the Positive Space Committee for LGBTQ2+ students and staff at Okanagan College.