Indigenous education formally comes into being at Camosun

Indigenous education came into being formally at Camosun in 1991 with the hiring of Janice Simcoe, Anishinaabe (Rama), now Director of Eye? Sqa’lewen: The Centre for Indigenous Education and Community Connections.

Janice Simcoe (foreground), Director of Eye? Sqa’lewen

In 1992, the First Nations Student Association (FNSA) was formed and led by Indigenous students with a mandate to meet students’ social, cultural and recreational needs. The FNSA Director sits on the Camosun College Student Society’s Board of Directors, and the Camosun College Indigenous Advisory Council.

Today, Eye? Sqa’lewen serves Indigenous students and communities, and the college, with upwards of 30 employees including Indigenous advisors, Indigenous faculty, Indigenous project managers, indigenization experts, artisans, scholars, support staff and a senior administrator. It also supports the presence of Elders and Indigenous knowledge keepers who serve students, programs, and the institution. As well, other areas of the college have developed Indigenous positions, including a counsellor dedicated to serving Indigenous students.

More than 1,100 Indigenous education students enroll at Camosun each year.

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