Identity area
Type of entity
Corporate body
Authorized form of name
BCIT. Indigenous Initiatives
Parallel form(s) of name
Standardized form(s) of name according to other rules
Other form(s) of name
- BCIT. Indigenous Services
- Indigenous Gathering Place
- First Nations Programs
- BCIT. First Nations Program
- BCIT. Aboriginal Services
- BCIT. First Nations Programs and Services
- BCIT. Indigenous Initiatives and Planning
Identifiers for corporate bodies
Description area
Dates of existence
1995-present
History
The First Nations Program and Services department was created at BCIT in 1994 after the Institute received funding through the First Nations Education Coordinator's grant from the Ministry of Advanced Education, Training and Technology. Brenda Ireland, was the first Coordinator, First Nations Programs in 1995. The BCIT Indigenous Team has grown and adapted over the years since then. This includes several name changes over the years.
In 1998 BCIT was still the only institute in BC (possibly Canada) to employ a full-time cultural/spiritual advisor to support indigenous learners. Elders on Campus is still a strong program and BCIT. Elders are the keepers of Indigenous knowledge and encourage and promote understanding and respect for Indigenous perspectives, culture, and values across BCIT campuses and beyond. Bob George was BCIT’s first Indigenous Elder in residence and a rock for many who attended BCIT over the ten years that he held this position. Alf Dumont is the current Elder on Campus (2023).
The Indigenous Gathering Place opened in November 2011. It is a comfortable, welcoming and safe space for students, families and staff. Mi Chap Tukw, the BCIT Indigenous Gathering Place (IGP) is located on the Burnaby campus at SW1-1521. IGP was made possible through the Gathering Place Grant from the Ministry of Advanced Education and Labour Market Development of B.C in 2008.
Places
Legal status
Functions, occupations and activities
Mandates/sources of authority
Internal structures/genealogy
General context
Relationships area
Access points area
Subject access points
Place access points
Occupations
Control area
Authority record identifier
Institution identifier
Rules and/or conventions used
Status
Level of detail
Dates of creation, revision and deletion
C. McLellan, created 2023-07-28