Aboriginal Gathering Place at Selkirk College
A Gathering Place is a space which is dedicated to the promotion of aboriginal culture, tradition and ceremony; an environment that is welcoming and relevant to aboriginal students.
It is expected that the presence of Gathering Places throughout BC at post-secondary institutions will improve the access, retention, completion and transition opportunities for Aboriginal learners. Support for the development of Gathering Places is part of the provincial government’s commitment to close the gap in education experienced by Aboriginal peoples.
Work has begun
In June 2010, representatives of Okanagan Nation Alliance, Sinixt Nation Society, Ktunaxa Nation Council and Métis Nation BC, along with Columbia Basin Trust and Selkirk College personnel, gathered at the site where Selkirk’s Aboriginal Gathering Place is being built and celebrated a groundbreaking ceremony. Work has continued since then.
An opportunity for diverse learners
The provincial government’s Aboriginal Post-Secondary Education Strategy and Action Plan and Selkirk College's Aboriginal Reportsupport the priority for the college to expand access and opportunity for diverse learners—particularly Aboriginal communities and families. It was decided that the building of a Gathering Place would go a long way in supporting this priority.
Architect Thomas Loh was commissioned to design Selkirk College’s Aboriginal Gathering Place; a 1500 sq. foot facility that includes a main gathering space for ceremony, seminars, discussion, a meeting/study room and a smaller counselling space. The cost is projected to be approximately $950,000.
Aboriginal Gathering Place partners
In the summer of 2009, Selkirk applied for and received $600,000 from the provincial government's Gathering Places Capital Fund. The Columbia Basin Trust generously contributed an additional $200,000 in December 2010. A Selkirk College fundraising campaign to raise the final $150,000 has been launched.
Individuals and organizations which share in our commitment to closing the educational and therefore the socioeconomic gap experienced by our Aboriginal peoples, are invited to join in the Selkirk College Aboriginal Gathering Place partnership.
Aboriginal Gathering Place Completing the Circle Campaign
For information on the Aboriginal Gathering Place Completing the Circle Campaign, please view the following documents:
For more information on how you can join us, call personnel in the Development Department at 250.505.1324 / 250.365.1360 or email campaigns@selkirk.ca.
