festiuctor bor JOs29i)

adurasses students

in, iné Aboriginal
lagdarshia Proara:n,
dosivned for readars arc
manavers te devclon
Skil! séis, <civadae
aad ottituacs riguired
‘0 ‘vor’ successhiully and
ofectivaly as leaders
various Aboricine,
contexts.

and implementing initiatives on matters of importance to the institution,
communities and Aboriginal students served by the JIBC. This process will
include developing policies and procedures that reflect Aboriginal perspec-
tives, interests and aspirations as well as ensuring appropriate access and
support for Aboriginal students. Courses will be reviewed to ensure these
are reflected in programs and services, and initiatives will be undertaken to
foster appreciation among faculty and staff.

In January 2009. the Centre launched a one-year Justice and Public
Safety Career Preparatory Certificate Program for Aboriginal Learners.
Based at the JIBC’s Chilliwack Campus, the program is designed for Aborig-
inal students who want to become police officers, fire fighters, emergency
managers, paramedics or indeed enter any kind of public safety related
career. The program will provide the necessary knowledge and skill base to
prepare for those careers both within and outside Aboriginal communities.
The program has the honour of bearing the name “Iwestux Temxshxweli?
which means “Teachers’ Sacred Place” in the language of the Sto:lo people,
on whose land the JIBC Chilliwack campus resides.

There is more to this story. The name was given by the Sto:lo
in an elaborate ceremony in the Sto:lo Longhouse in Chilliwack. Because
a thing—such as a course—cannot be given a sacred name, it must be
given to a person who will represent the course. In this case, JIBC President
Jack McGee was named “Iwestux Temxshweli” to bear the name as long
as he is President. When he retires, the name will be formally, cere-
moniously, passed along to his successor. Coincidentally, the Institute
was planning to build a new campus at the Canada Education Park in
Chilliwack. While the course bears the Sto:lo name, at daybreak on the day
it was conferred on the President, a ground-blessing ceremony occurred
at the site of the future campus. Attendance was limited as elders chased
away the old spirits, making way for happy and peaceful studies by the
new students.

Mike Jimmie, a student in the Aboriginal Leadership Diploma
Program, is full of praise for the JIBC’s courses: “I found it very helpful to
learn with other First Nations students from a variety of places throughout
the province. Having First Nations instructors was wonderful for my
learning; they are role models for me and inspire me to continue learning.
Throughout the course we, as students, were allowed to share and practics
our Aboriginal culture within the classroom setting and much of it was
related to the class content. This made learning more meaningful. The
opportunity to listen to First Nations guest speakers sharing their expe-
riences and the importance of education for First Nations people left a
tremendous impact on me. In my opinion, I think all individuals working
in the community band offices and tribal organizations would greatly
benefit from this program.”