COLLEGE OF NEW CALEDONIA
New Indigenous leadership roles at CNC to focus on inspiring student success and nurturing relationships

The College of New Caledonia will focus on organizational change and relationships across the region to support the success of Indigenous students and advance the College's responsibilities on Truth and Reconciliation.

Dr. Jessie King (Hadiksm Gaax) (left on photo) joined CNC as Vice President: Indigenization. In the newly-created role, she will guide the College's path to truth, reconciliation, decolonization, and Indigenization while helping to build new partnerships for student success. Dr. King joins CNC from the University of Northern British Columbia, where she was mostly recently Assistant Professor of First Nations Studies in UNBC's Faculty of Indigenous Studies, Social Sciences, and Humanities. 

Long-time Indigenous education leader Marlene Erickson (right on photo) will become Senior Advisor to CNC's President on Policy and Indigenous Relations. Ms. Erickson will build and strengthen CNC's relationships with First Nations, Métis, as well as Indigenous employment and community organizations.

"I have lived a full circle from being a terrified student, benefiting from the support of community members and mentors, to helping to guide students through important but often uncomfortable conversations involving colonial history and intergenerational impacts. I look forward to CNC's journey by helping to advocate for students, making changes to remove barriers, and weaving together knowledges to create lasting relationships," said Dr. King.

"Working together with external partners and having a strong, unified voice will be very important in helping people understand and act upon the unique education and career needs of learners in our region. A lot has been accomplished, which gives me inspiration and courage to keep going. I am hopeful our progress so far will also inspire young people to continue this journey," said Ms. Erickson.

"In Jessie and Marlene, we have two wonderful people who have had unique journeys in education and leadership especially in removing barriers to empower Indigenous students to succeed. Jessie brings a relationships-first approach to her interactions with students and colleagues. Marlene has worked regionally and provincially to advocate for better educational, cultural, and health outcomes for Indigenous Peoples. Their respective talents will help to build understanding as the CNC community continues along its renewed journey of change," said Cindy Heitman, CNC's President.

The Vice President: Indigenization role will lead a team that facilitates access for and promotes the success of Indigenous learners. The position will collaborate with CNC faculty, staff, and students to support the development and implementation of culturally responsive programs, curriculum, and related initiatives. The Senior Advisor to the President on Policy and Indigenous Relations will coordinate CNC's activities in close collaboration and consultation with First Nations and Métis communities, industry partners, and government representatives.

Through the new leadership structure, CNC will work to adopt and implement CNC's responsibilities under the Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA) and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada's Calls to Action. CNC and UNBC will also develop new partnerships in their shared goals of inspiring Indigenous learners and supporting students and community members in understanding their roles in reconciliation.

"I congratulate Dr. King on behalf of the UNBC community and am excited to see her take the next steps in what has already been an inspiring career," said Dr. Geoff Payne, UNBC President and Vice-Chancellor. "I also congratulate Marlene Erickson on her new role and commend CNC for investing in such critical positions. Acting on Truth and Reconciliation requires collective effort, continued diligence, and a willingness to collaborate across institutions and sectors. We look forward to working with Dr. King and the CNC community on shared initiatives that increase cultural awareness and understanding for the benefit of all."

CNC's new Indigenous education leadership will help to advance the work of lhk'enazdulkat | we change ourselves, the College's new Indigenous education plan. lhk'enazdulkat and its related changes seek to help students:

• Feel that they belong in the CNC community and are safe and welcome;
• Believe in themselves and their unique talents and gifts; and
• Realize their potential and achieve their dreams.

"I am very proud of both CNC and UNBC for fostering changes in ways of thinking and education that have helped improve learning for Indigenous students. I'm hopeful that through my new role and our cooperative spirit, we can better support learners, strengthen our understanding about our roles in reconciliation, and make learning opportunities more accessible," added Dr. King.

About Dr. Jessie King (Hadiksm Gaax)

Dr. King, who identifies as Ts'ymsen through her mother and Irish/English through her father, originally came to Lheidli T'enneh territory to complete a Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Northern British Columbia's Prince George campus. Part of her degree path included the university transfer program at the then Northwest Community College (now Coast Mountain College). She also completed graduate and doctoral degrees at UNBC.

Dr. King has held the role of Assistant Professor of First Nations Studies in UNBC's Faculty of Indigenous Studies, Social Sciences, and Humanities while acting as the Faculty Lead for Success in Aboriginal Graduate Education (S.A.G.E.). She has focused on building meaningful dialogue through engaging ethical and safe spaces, including an approach of Hagwil yaan (Walk Gently), Algyaxs yaan (Speak gently).

While completing her first degree in 2008, Dr. King's parents consulted with the head of her mother's side of the family in Gitxaala about bestowing a name on her with a button blanket depicting their clan, Ganhada (Raven). Dr. King's bestowed name of Hadiksm Gaax translates to Swimming Raven, which carries deep meaning for her.

About Marlene Erickson

Ms. Erickson is a member of Nak'azdli Whut'en, and of the Lusilyoo (Frog) Clan. A strong proponent of systemic change, Ms. Erickson has always acknowledged that historical laws and policies created systems that marginalized Indigenous Peoples, but further notes that systemic change benefits the entire community. Integrating the wisdom and knowledge of all cultures into how we do things enriches us all and creates a more inclusive community.

In more than 30 years with CNC and serving on multiple provincial boards and committees, Ms. Erickson has overseen transformative change at CNC and other post-secondary institutions. She has been a leading voice behind the Aboriginal Advisory Committees on CNC's campuses and the encompassing Yinka Dene Council. Ms. Erickson is the longtime chair of the advisory group to the Indigenous team at the Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills.

Ms. Erickson played a key role in developing and expanding the Aboriginal Resource Centre (ARC), developing Aboriginal and Métis courses, coordinating the beautiful Gathering Place in Prince George, implementing the Human Rights Special Program for hiring Indigenous employees across departments, and securing provincial funding for the Nahoonai-a Indigenous student housing building.

Ms. Erickson holds a bachelor's degree in Anthropology and a master's degree in Education. Committed to the preservation of oral history, Marlene has provided many cultural and historical teachings to the College and larger community.