RBC Foundation Donation Expands Indigenous Student Program At NIC

Indigenous students have a few more education options at North Island College, thanks to a $40,000 donation from RBC Foundation.

The money comes through the RBC Future Launch program to support young people in Canada as they work toward gaining skills and education, and in this case will go toward the NIC Foundation Trust Fund in support of their Aboriginal Scholars Program.

“We are excited to announce a donation of $40,000 to North Island College Foundation Trust Fund in support of their Aboriginal Scholars Program. RBC Future Launch is dedicated to helping young people access meaningful employment through practical work experience, skills development, networking, and access to mental well-being supports and services,” said Annette Sabourin, RBC Royal Bank Regional Vice President, Vancouver Island.

“Through donations like this, RBC is working with educational institutions, partners and donor recipients in the private and public sectors to help create and provide access to long-term solutions.”

The Aboriginal Scholars program aims to empower students by creating a self-constructed achievement plan.

It provides support for them to complete their program, increase their sense of community, and foster supportive relationships during their time at North Island College.

The college’s Executive Director of Indigenous Education, Kelly Shopland, says the intent of the program is to provide students the opportunity to define what success actually means to themselves.

Indigenous counsellor Sarah Lawrence says the program creates an opportunity to engage with students in a holistic way - acknowledging and connecting all areas of their life; cultural, emotional, physical, and academic.

The goal of the program is to provide a culturally relevant, holistic approach to education in which the student sets their own vision of success, which can incorporate all aspects of their personal growth.

Starting in 2016, the Aboriginal Scholars Program was piloted at the Comox Valley campus but has since expanded to all four campuses.

To learn more, visit North Island College.