The University of Victoria (UVic) is proud to support four of six First Nations across British Columbia that received significant investments into community-based teacher education from the Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills, announced yesterday (Sept 15).
Monday's (Sept 15) announcement drew a large group at the Stz'uminus Big House. Pictured (from left): Gina-Mae Harris, Hul'q'umi'num' lead; Josie Louie, Stz'uminus Education Society director; sumaxatk Tracey Kim Bonneau, chair, Indigenous Adult and Higher Learning Association; Qwul'sih'yah'maht, Robina Thomas, UVic president; Stz'uminus First Nation Chief John Elliot; BC Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills Minister Jessie Sunner; Ladysmith-Oceanside MLA Stephanie Higginson, UVic International Education Department chair Jean-Paul Restoule; Tyrone McNeil, First Nations Education Steering Committee president; and Deborah Jeffrey, First Nations Education Steering Committee executive director.
Mowachaht-Muchalaht First Nation, Stz'uminus First Nation, Ktunaxa Nation and WSANEC College were among those selected for the $5.4 million in teacher recruitment and retention funding over two years. Each Nation sets the priorities and direction, and UVic's Indigenous Education and Continuing Studies departments support those efforts with curriculum expertise and program delivery that connects local learning with university-level teacher education.
