OCNews

Indigenization

painted mural with blue background, orange flowers, a young boy, and a woman and baby
Mural at Okanagan College honours residential school survivors

November 24, 2023

A large mural that honours residential school survivors has been unveiled at Okanagan College’s Kelowna campus, designed and painted by Syilx artist Sheldon Pierre Louis. Titled suʔkncut’s prayers, the acrylic latex mural measures 10 feet tall by 21 feet wide and raises awareness about the legacy and impacts of the residential school system. The mural was officially unveiled Nov. 24 with a special ceremony at OC’s Kelowna campus. “The mural signifies Okanagan College’s lasting commitment to advancing truth and reconciliation at our campuse...

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ona and pib flags raised, drummers singing in the background
Okanagan College raises Penticton Indian Band and Okanagan Nation flags at Penticton campus

September 28, 2023

A ceremony held today at Okanagan College’s Penticton campus welcomed the permanent raising of the Penticton Indian Band and Okanagan Nation flags. Community members and representatives of the Penticton Indian Band (PIB), Okanagan Nation Alliance (ONA) and Okanagan College (OC) gathered today in ceremony to mark the occasion. The flags formally signify the College’s recognition of the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the Syilx (Okanagan) Nation, on whose lands the College resides in Penticton, Kelowna and Vernon. “As we gathe...

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Richard Jackson Junior, from Lower Nicola Indian Band, carries the Eagle Staff at the Kelowna campus convocation on June 10, 2023
College convocation centers Indigenous culture, protocol

June 21, 2023

On National Indigenous Peoples Day, Okanagan College reflects on its commitments to reconciliation and the rich history, diverse cultures and significant contributions of Indigenous peoples. “While we still have work to do, this has been a meaningful year for Okanagan College’s journey toward reconciliation,” says Rhea Dupuis, Associate Director of Indigenization at the College. “For the first time, communities came together at each of our four college campuses to celebrate graduates, where ceremonies centered around Indigenous protocol.” J...

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Kalamalka Garden TD gift
TD gives $85,000 to help kids and newcomers access Okanagan College’s Indigenous Garden

October 18, 2022

Hawthorn, wolf willow, and sage are among the traditional plants growing in the garden on the hillside at Okanagan College’s Vernon campus, which this year was visited by more than 250 local school children, thanks to generous support from TD Bank Group. TD’s gift, made earlier in 2022, is funding tours of the K'nmaĺka Senqâĺten - Kalamalka Indigenous garden for children and newcomers to Canada. The garden is located on Okanagan College’s Vernon campus. Okanagan College has already received a portion of the funding; the remainder will be d...

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Rhea Dupuis
Okanagan College welcomes new Associate Director, Indigenization

October 17, 2022

Okanagan College is pleased to welcome Rhea Dupuis, x̌ʷnámx̌ʷnəm, as the College’s first Associate Director, Indigenization. Rhea, from the Syilx Okanagan Nation and a member of the Penticton Indian Band, brings more than 20 years experience to OC, working in both public and Indigenous education systems, as well as with mental health and wellness organizations. Rhea’s traditional name is x̌ʷnámx̌ʷnəm, a Syilx name which means Hummingbird. “I am both thrilled and grateful that Rhea has chosen to share her wisdom, skills and experience with u...

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Indigenous stoles
Convocation stoles featuring Syilx, Secwepemc pictographs honour graduates

June 20, 2022

As Canadians prepare to mark National Indigenous Peoples Day on June 21, Okanagan College is recognizing Indigenous graduates in a new and special way. This year for the first time, Indigenous students who cross the stage at OC convocation and commencement ceremonies are being gifted with a specially designed convocation stole, embroidered with Syilx and Secwepemc pictographs. “On National Indigenous Peoples Day and every day, it is critically important that we remember and appreciate the privilege it is to live, work and play on the beauti...

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OC 'Sticks Up' Indigenous Student Award
OC ‘Sticks Up’ for Indigenous Student Awards

April 13, 2022

OC Indigenous Services and the OC Foundation have teamed up for the annual ‘Sticks Up’ campaign. They are excited to launch this fundraiser for the NHL’s 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs. All of the proceeds from this event will benefit the OC ‘Sticks Up’ for Indigenous Students Award. Yvonne Oppenheimer and Erica Seymour were the inaugural recipients of the OC ‘Sticks Up’ for Indigenous Students Award. The Awards are available to students with Indigenous ancestry who are enrolled in full-time study in any degree, diploma, or certificate program ...

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Chief Clarence Louie
OC’s Penticton campus hosts Chief Clarence Louie for a discussion about his book, Rez Rules

March 14, 2022

Osoyoos Indian Band Chief Clarence Louie will discuss his book, Rez Rules: My Indictment of Canada's and America's Systemic Racism Against Indigenous People, during a talk at Okanagan College’s Penticton campus next week. Louie was elected chief of the Osoyoos Indian Band in 1984 and has led his community for four decades since. He is known for focusing on economic and business independence in order to strengthen his community, which struggled with poverty. “Chief Clarence Louie is one of the most recognized First Nations leaders in Canada...

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Four Food Chiefs Sculpture
Soaring Indigenous sculpture unveiled in OC's new Health Sciences Centre

November 3, 2021

A nine metre (30 foot), hand-cut metal sculpture by local Indigenous artist Clint George is now installed and proudly on display in Okanagan College's new Health Sciences Centre. The sculpture represents the Four Food Chiefs, and depicts the Syilx Okanagan oral history (or captikʷɬ) on how food was given. James Coble, Director of Student Services and Indigenization Task Force Chair at Okanagan College, says the sculpture demonstrates the College’s commitment to creating welcoming spaces for Indigenous students. “The opportunity to create a ...

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Kelly Terbasket
kinSHIFT: a powerful—and local—way to learn about Truth and Reconciliation

September 27, 2021

Kelly Terbasket of IndigenEYEZ has created a new sister organization for allies—kinSHIFT. Launched this spring, kinSHIFT is a tailored set of workshops for non-Indigenous allies who want to take the next step. Designed in response to increasing requests from people who want to be genuine allies, kinSHIFT is a safer space to do the work.                                                                          ------------ As a person of mixed heritage, I've always felt the divide between cultures and wanted to be part of bridging awareness a...

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Alanah Coss FortisBC Award Recipient
FortisBC powers up support for women and Indigenous students

September 24, 2021

New awards and opportunities for mentorship with FortisBC are making it easier for female and female Indigenous students to be successful with their trades education. FortisBC recently set up three scholarships for women in trades with a focus on supporting female students who are at the mid-point in their education. The scholarship comes with the potential for the student to meet with FortisBC representatives and connect with someone working in a role they may be interested in pursuing in the future. "We wanted to support students in payin...

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Saige Girouard story
Saige Girouard, Red River, Métis Nation

September 3, 2021

“In my second year of studies I connected with a classmate over our shared curiosity to learn more about our Indigenous backgrounds. I’m Métis, but my family didn’t practice Indigenous customs. My classmate went on to be very successful in reconnecting with her culture. Watching her hit those milestones I knew that if she could do it, I could do it too. I’d say the tipping point for me was winning a bursary from Okanagan College to attend the Indigenous Women’s Leadership Summit....

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Text of "Every child matters" overlain on an orange background
OC offers condolences to the Cowessess First Nation and all those impacted and in mourning

June 25, 2021

This statement contains content about residential schools that we recognize may be triggering. If you need immediate emotional assistance or crisis support, please see the supports (bolded) below.  Okanagan College respectfully acknowledges that our Penticton, Kelowna and Vernon campuses are located on the traditional and unceded territory of the Syilx Okanagan people and our Salmon Arm campus is located on the traditional and unceded territory of the Secwepemc. On Thursday, June 24, the Cowessess First Nation confirmed the discovery of 75...

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Text of "Our deepest sympathies go out to the Tk'emlups te Secwepemc" overlain on an orange background
Our deepest sympathies go out to the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc

May 31, 2021

Okanagan College respectfully acknowledges that our Salmon Arm campus is located on the traditional and unceded territory of the Secwepemc and our Penticton, Kelowna and Vernon campuses are located on the traditional and unceded territory of the Syilx Okanagan people. On Thursday, May 27, the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc confirmed the discovery of the remains of 215 children buried in unmarked graves on the site of the former Kamloops Indian Residential School, which was once the largest in Canada’s residential school system. On behalf of Okanaga...

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Austin MacArthur
Indigenous Awards drives support for OC students

February 24, 2021

Kamloops’ Austin MacArthur moved to Kelowna to attend Okanagan College’s Automotive Service Technician program to unlock a lifelong dream of becoming a mechanic – a dream fueled in part by the Irving K. Barber BC Scholarship Society’s Indigenous Student awards. MacArthur is one of over 600 BC Indigenous students who shared more than $2.2 million in awards from the Society in support of post-secondary studies. The Society’s Indigenous Award program is one of six award programs and was created to assist in removing barriers to higher educatio...

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Maria Kruger, Certified Dental Assistant student
CIBC gives scholarship boost to Indigenous students

January 18, 2021

When Maria Kruger graduates as a Certified Dental Assistant from Okanagan College later this year, she will proudly stand among her people as a skilled professional. Kruger, who is of Okanagan/Shuswap descent, has a goal to graduate and work with people in her community on the Penticton Indian Band. “I want to see our people go into skilled trades and be able to support our own communities. That’s one of my main goals,” says Kruger, who also cites her two-year-old son as inspiration behind her return to school. A new donation from CIBC alon...

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