Expanding options for Indigenous students at North Island College is possible thanks to a $40,000 donation from RBC.
The college says it will go directly to its Aboriginal Scholars program where students can create self-constructed achievement plans, get supports to complete their program, increase a sense of community and foster supportive relationships during their time at the school.
They add the goal is to provide a culturally relevant, holistic approach to education where the student sets their own vision of success.
“The intent of the Aboriginal Scholars Program is to provide students the opportunity to define what success actually means to themselves,” said executive director or Indigenous Education Kelly Shopland.
RBC Vancouver Island Royal Bank vice-president Annette Sabourin adds that the donation will help young people access meaningful employment through practical work experience, skills development, networking and access to mental well-being supports and services.
“Thanks to the generous support of the RBC Foundation, NIC has been able to direct $120,000 to support the Aboriginal Scholars Program these last three years,” added NIC Foundation executive director Diane Naugler.
The Aboriginal Scholars Program was started in 2016 at the Comox Valley Campus, but has since expanded to all four campuses thanks to funding in recent years.
