Indigenous Student Services is transitioning from face-to-face to phone support or email until further notice. Please note the ISS resource rooms will be closed until further notice.
Our vision is to be responsive to your needs as an Indigenous student so that you can achieve your potential for success as a self-directed, independent learner. We are also here to provide support in a manner that is consistent with the cultures and values of our peoples, as well as to enhance and complement Douglas College values.
Who can identify as Indigenous?
Anyone who is Indigenous, First Nations, Metis, and of Inuit backgrounds can identify as being Indigenous. This means status and non-status Natives from North America.
How to identify?
You are asked to self-identify as Indigenous when you register at Douglas College. Self identifying is confidential and is completely voluntary.
Why is it important to self-identify at Douglas College?
At Douglas College, we believe that self identifying as Indigenous means being proud of who you are. We also believe it is essential to understand how many Indigenous students attend Douglas College so that we can provide a culturally appropriate environment and resources in order to support self-identifying students.
Our Indigenous Student Services centres offer a number of services including:
- Culturally-appropriate support services, activities and events in the college and community
- 1:1 support with the Indigenous Student Advisor
- Assistance for future students while serving as advocates for current students
- Student assistants are peer mentors who are available for additional support
- Transition into the workforce
Our centres also provide services for all students, including:
- A quiet place for studying, reading, writing or taking a break
- A place to meet, connect and make friends
- Computer, Internet and telephone access
- Information on Indigenous history and culture
Whether you are a new student, a mature student, a full-time or part-time student, drop by one of our centres and find out how we can help you reach your goals.
- We have Elders come visit, where students can seek spiritual/cultural guidance
- Information about funding options for Status and non-status Indigenous students as well as bursaries, scholarships, awards, and student loans
- Assistance finding accommodations and day care
- Access to a range of academic workshops and one-on-one writing and research skills
- Opportunities to participate in and witness traditional cultural presentations
Elders
Sandra Greene
Sandra comes to us from the Haida First Nation and is proud to say that she has been on her personal healing journey since 1988.
Sandra has over 25 years experience in the administration/management arena and has successfully organized and facilitated events from community to national forums. She also has a diverse experience in fields of Health issues, Women's issues and Indigenous concerns as a proactive participant. Sandra has been responsible for policy-making, project managements, organizing, public relations and workshop facilitation in various capacities.
Sandra is proud to serve on several boards, as she strongly believes in community.
In addition to facilitating and organizing events, Sandra enjoys spending her free time weaving baskets and jewelry, painting, and reading. She is also apart of an Urban Haida dance group called K’uuts’llxuu T’aaxwii, meaning Far South Song Birds.
You can meet Sandra at one of the many events/ceremonies that Douglas College holds.
Locations
New Westminster Campus, room S4830
This centre sits on the traditional territory of the QayQayt First Nation. The Qayqayt (also Qiqayt, pronounced "Kee-Kite"), is one of the smallest First Nations in Canada and the only one without a land base.
The Qayqayt reserve used to exist on the banks of the Fraser River, around New Westminster. The Qayqayt people historically spoke the Halq'eméylem (Upriver dialect), of Halkomelem (also Hul’q’umi’num’/Henqeminem), a Coast Salish language.
Here are some resources for more information about the QayQayt:
A Tribe of One – a National Film Board film documentary (available in our Library)
"We Are the Qayqayt" – Chief Rhonda Larrabee’s Story
Coquitlam Campus, room B3131
This centre sits on the traditional territory of the Kwikwetlem First Nation. The Kwikwetlem are a Sto:lo people with reserves in the Coquitlam River watershed. They traditionally speak the Downriver dialect of Halkomelem (also Hul’q’umi’num’/Henqeminem). The name Kwikwetlem means "red fish up the river.”