College Knowledge 101 group in Waap G̱alts’ap following the blanketing ceremony.
Terrace, BC -- On the weekend of July 14, Coast Mountain College (CMTN) welcomed 14 youth from Indigenous communities in the region for a two-day introduction to college life at the Terrace campus. Participating students had the opportunity to stay in Wii Gyemsiga Siwlilaawksat student housing, try out cafeteria food, and learn more about the programs and services CMTN has to offer. The program was part of the CMTN Aboriginal Services Plan approved by the First Nations Council for 2023-24 and we hope it will become an annual event.
Students were welcomed to campus by a diverse team that included Elders Larry Derrick and Charlotte Guno; Indigenous Relations Advisor, Ali McDougall; and the CMTN First Nations Access Coordinators, Sharon Oskey, Jill Swank, and Katie Humphrey. The program was also supported by a large group of CMTN instructors and staff who gave presentations, led tours, and helped with logistics.
The students arrived on campus on Sunday afternoon. After settling into student housing, they helped prepare supper, then spent the evening relaxing and getting to know each other a little better with some casual activities in Waap G̱alts’ap.
Monday began with a welcome from the Elders and breakfast followed by a busy schedule of information and activities. There were so many highlights for attendees, but some of the top events on Monday included:
a creative session where students applied their own crest to customize several articles of CMTN clothing with help from Cassidy Price, Freda Diesing graduate, and Aman Kang, Cricut Master
presentations by several CMTN faculty members about the exciting programs and field schools offered at the College
a traditional dinner of seafood chowder and fry bread followed by songs, drumming, and dancing with the Gitlax̱dax Sayt-K’iỈim G̱oothl Nisg̱a’a Dance Group.
College Knowledge wrapped up on Tuesday with information about navigating life in Terrace including the bus system and local amenities, followed by an amazing blanketing ceremony with Elders Larry Derrick and Charlotte Guno to cap off the day. The various interactive sessions helped students feel comfortable on campus and develop the confidence they will need to be successful in their future post-secondary studies. Overall, the students were engaged in the activities provided throughout the two days and had an amazing time at CMTN.
On Tuesday, when parents and guardians arrived to pick up their teens, one parent commented, “I knew my child was okay because I didn’t hear from her after Monday morning!” According to organizer Ali McDougall, the event was “a great success” and “youth left [on Tuesday afternoon] with big smiles on their faces and lots of great memories.”
CMTN First Nations Access Coordinators and event organizer Ali McDougall ready to welcome students to the Terrace campus.
Working with the Cricut machine to customize CMTN clothing.
Students taking part in an interactive information presentation.
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