AN INVITATION TO BCIT STAFF AND STUDENTS The Aboriginal Services department cordially invites you to attend a Speaker Series that brings together four, powerful Aboriginal leaders who will share their personal experiences, aspirations and vision to the BCIT community. Using the sacred Medicine Wheel concept of balance of Spirit, Body, Emotion and Mind, presenters will address the following questions. >> What actually happened in residential schools? >> Why do residential schools still impact Aboriginal people today? >> What is it like for an Aboriginal person to attend a post-secondary institution? >> What is Aboriginal culture and why is it important to maintain? >> What is the political and education vision being championed by current Aboriginal Leaders?
PARTICIPATE Participate and learn how these answers tie into BCIT’s Aboriginal Strategic Plan approved in September 2010. Come learn, how together, how we can create an environment for Aboriginal people that will increase our recruitment and retention capabilities and build a stronger educational community at BCIT.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE SPEAKER SERIES CONTACT: Joanne Stone-Campbell E Joanne_Stone-Campbell@bcit.ca T 604.451.6901
Cultural
Historical
Vision
Inspirational
SPEAKER SERIES BREAKING DOWN THE BARRIERS BRITISH COLUMBIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
ABORIGINAL SERVICES
bcit.ca/aboriginal
ABORIGINAL SERVICES SPEAKER SERIES OUR SPEAKERS Chief Ian Campbell (Sekyu Siyam) JANUARY 26, 2012
Ian is a Hereditary Chief and Elected Councillor of the Squamish Nation. He is employed as a lead negotiator and Cultural Ambassador for the Squamish Nations Intergovernmental Relations Department. Chief Campbell has travelled internationally establishing relations with Indigenous leaders globally. He is an avid outdoorsman whose passion is in the mountains and on the water. He was raised in North Vancouver and immersed in the traditions and ceremonies of the Coast Salish People.
Elder Norma-Rose Point (nee Pettis) and Gerry Oleman (Saa Hiil Thut) FEBRUARY 23, 2012
Rose was born Sto:lo/Thompson on Seabird Island Reserve. At age 12 she was sent to St. Mary’s Residential School and graduated in 1953. She married Cagney Point of Musqueam in 1957, where she still lives. Rose has four sons, two grandchildren, and two great granddaughters. Rose has held various positions in her life: waitress, maid, nurse’s aide, and assistant lab technician. After obtaining her Early Childhood Education in 1970, she worked as the Musqueam pre-school supervisor and then as a childcare worker for the Vancouver School Board. Rose also sat on Musqueam Band Council from 1979–1992. Currently, in her Elder role, she enjoys helping BCIT students meet and cope with their daily challenges. Gerry is Stl’atl’imx First Nation from Shalalth B.C. and has been working in Human Service related positions since 1976, this includes working as a counsellor, workshop coordinator/facilitated, trainer, keynote speaker and as a consultant for agencies, institutions and communities across Canada and the USA. Gerry is a traditionalist and believes that First Nations culture can make an important contribution to Canada’s wellbeing.
SPEAKER DATES TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE IN A MODERN CONTEXT Chief Ian Campbell Squamish Nation Cultural Ambassador and Negotiator Thursday January 26, 2012 12:30 – 2:30 PM Town Square A
STOLEN SPIRIT – RESIDENTIAL SCHOOL EXPERIENCE Elder Norma-Rose Point and Gerry Oleman Community Consultants Thursday February 23, 2012 12:30 – 2:30 PM Town Square D
UNITED NATIONS TABLE – OUR VOICE Grand Chief Edward John Political Executive, First Nations Summit Task Group and North American Representative to the United Nations Monday March 19, 2012 12:30 – 2:30 PM Town Square D
REGISTER FOR EACH PRESENTATION THROUGH BCIT’S PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT REGISTRATION PROGRAM.
Grand Chief Edward John (Akile Ch’oh) MARCH 19, 2012
Grand Chief Edward John is a Hereditary Chief of Tl’azt’en Nation located on the banks of the Nak’al Bun (Stuart Lake) in Northern BC. He is an Indigenous leader who has dedicated his life to the pursuit of social and economic justice for Canada’s Indigenous people, having worked as a leader in Indigenous politics, business and community development. Chief John has been a lawyer for 30 years. He holds a B.A. from the University of Victoria, an LL.B from the University of British Columbia and an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the University of Northern British Columbia.
The Speaker Series is sponsored by the office of the Vice President of Student Services, Aboriginal Services and Human Resources Departments at BCIT.