Aboriginal Centre Grand Opening
The official opening of the Aboriginal Centre was on Friday, January 22, 2010.
A blessing ceremony by Okanagan Nation Elder, Victor Antoine, was performed in addition to the grand opening event. The grand opening event included:
- Mr. Norm Letnick, MLA for Kelowna-Lake Country: greetings and remarks from the Provincial Government
- Dr. Doug Owram, Deputy-Vice Chancellor: remarks on behalf of UBC Okanagan, officially opens the Centre
- Chief Robert Louie, Chief of the Westbank First Nation and representing the Okanagan Nation Alliance: remarks
- Mr. Bill Cohen, Councillor, Okanagan Indian Band: remarks
- Ms. Edna Terbasket, Representative, UBC Okanagan and Okanagan College Aboriginal Council: remarks
- Ms. Tanya Gregoire, Former Aboriginal Student Council member, UBC Students' Union Okanagan: remarks on behalf of students
- Ms. Delphine Derickson, Okanagan Nation Elder: singing Okanagan song
- Mr. Richard Armstrong, Okanagan Nation Elder: singing Okanagan song
UBC Okanagan has made a strong commitment to Aboriginal students, creating an environment in which they feel supported, valued, and connected to the University's community. This goal has been achieved by providing a welcoming and familiar environment in which students can access academic, cultural, and social support, and be connected to a community of resources.
The Aboriginal Centre, located within the University Centre, reflects the cultural characteristics of our Aboriginal students and traditions. It is a teaching, learning, and social resource centre for students and a welcoming facility for the community in which the traditions and cultures of the Okanagan Nation are showcased.
T H E C E N T R E E X I S T S T O :
- Enhance the success of Aboriginal students at UBC Okanagan
- Provide academic advising, tutorial support, peer support, study skills, and time management workshops
- Create an appropriate place for the ceremonies and celebrations of the Aboriginal community
- Enhance strategies to increase Aboriginal student recruitment and retention by creating a gathering place that creates a greater sense of connection to UBC Okanagan by Aboriginal learners, consistent with the institution's proposed Aboriginal Services Plan
- Create a gathering place designed with architectural features that reflect the traditions of the Okanagan Nation with appropriate display areas that will engage external communities in cultural celebrations
Last reviewed 
3/1/2011 10:57:48 AM
