Success Stories
2005 Graduation Ceremony
Native Education College encourages current and past students to share positive ‘success stories’ or their experience at BC’s largest Aboriginal college.
Please email us your success story to
Success Stories From Past Students:
M. Roberta Innes - Early Childhood Education 2005
My name is Roberta and I am proud to say that I am 1 of 6 Innes sisters who have attended NEC. I graduated with honors from the Early Childhood Education Certificate program. While at NEC I joined the NEC Student Council as the ECE representative. I enjoyed being at NEC all the staff were so friendly and courteous and made the year memorable. I made new friends and I'm glad I went to NEC for part of my educational path. My training was excellent and enjoyable – I was hired from my first practicum daycare 4 months before graduation and I'm delighted to say that I continue to use the knowledge and skills that I've gained from NEC and I'm still at the daycare today. I am excited that in my family, all of my sisters have followed in our Mothers footsteps to further our education and strive to achieve and be good role models for our own families. I’m proud to be apart of my family's legacy and to have attended NEC and I hope to return for my younger sister’s grad. Good luck to all and much respect- Roberta Innes
Stephanie Wright – Early Childhood Education 2003
The ECE program at NEC is fantastic! Not only did I receive my certificate I also meet four very special friends who still spend much time with. The summer that I graduated, I moved home to Prince Rupert for the summer, but during my stay there, I received a phone call from Eagle's Nest Preschool, AHS program. They offered me an ECE job for the upcoming fall start. It was great I was there for 3 years. I am so thankful for the Native Education Center! It was the best educational experience! Thank you, thank you!
Veronica Godard - Family & Community Counselling Program 1992
Before I took the F CC program I worked at NEC for three years as a TA and also taught GED for students and community members. Prior to my job there I also completed the Native Public Administration Program in 1987. The minute I walked in the doors of NEC I knew that was where I wanted to be. It was'home'. Since my completion of the FCC program I've been working for the Vancouver School Board as a support person for academics and behaviour. I am starting my third year as a First Nations' Support Worker at Vancouver Technical School. It's a job I've been after for many years and I hit the ground running -- it's where I belong. I have a very strong belief in our youth and their place as future leaders of our people. Howa'a to all past and upcoming graduates for all your hard work - education reaps benefits far beyond your wildest dreams.
Trica McDiarmid – College Preparation 1987
My name is Trica McDiarmid and I graduated from NEC in 1987 with a college preparation certificate. I am Han Gwitch’in and Northern Touchone and I grew up in small communities in the Yukon. When it was time to make the transition from high school to college I chose NEC because I have a strong connection to my culture and NEC offered a lot of culturally based programs. Over the years I’ve seen many students from our First Nation move to Vancouver or one of the other large urban areas in Canada in order to attend college/university only to return to our community a couple of weeks later complaining of loneliness, isolation, or that the work they did in high school didn’t prepare them for the skills they needed to survive at college/university.
At NEC I made friends the first day I attended. The receptionist at the front door was warm and welcoming and students would just walk up to me and shake my hand and ask me where I was from. The sensory experience at NEC was wonderful. Sometimes students would be smudging in the common area and everyday there would be a drum group singing. There were also lots of opportunities to go on field trips. One of the courses I enjoyed most at NEC was drum making. However, it was the introductory psychology course I took that ignited my interest in continuing to work in this area.
Today, I have a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology and hope to continue with graduate studies in counselling or clinical psychology. Currently I work as a researcher at the British Columbia Centre of Excellence for Women’s Health, but my career goal is to work as a researcher, educator and clinician in First Nation communities for First Nation women, children, and families. Choosing NEC was a really great choice.
Harvey Sulin - Ulkatcho First Nations
Hello to all First Nations and to all students that have attended the Native Education College in Vancouver BC. First of all - I would like to say thank you to all students and instructors of my classes in the past 2 years for the support and knowledge they have given me. Coming from a small town of Anahim Lake - I was afraid of change - moving from such a remote area to the city. I was afraid that failure could be in store for me when I made the move to the city -how wrong I was. Moving to Vancouver and attending NEC was the best thing that I could have ever done in my life and am glad that I took that challenge. I attended NEC in 2004 and took the ABT program - graduated in 2005 and landed a job with Indian Northern Affairs for the summer - 6 week practicum and then was hired for the rest of the summer. I then went back to NEC in the fall of 2005 and was there until April 2006 - finished my first year of Tourism. Again, after finishing the year at NEC I was offered employment with INAC for the full summer - which was more challenging than the first.
I am almost done with INAC for the summer and have enjoyed working for the government - experience of a lifetime. Now I can say that I have been there and done it. After the summer I will be back to school at the NEC to finish my second year of Tourism - I am excited to be back to finish what I have started - this year hopefully will be just as great as the last couple of years. My goal was to take management courses and go home to help out with my community in areas that need help with - am very fortunate to have come this far and am glad that I have. These last couple of years have really been the highlight of my life – having to gain knowledge, meeting so many different people and last, challenging what each year has to bring. With the knowledge that I have received from the Native Education College, I now believe I can do a lot more for my community and for myself. Again thank you to NEC and staff. Best of luck to all returning students, Sept 2006. Hopefully we will all have a great year this year.
Chanalya!
Heidi Campbell
My name is Heidi Campbell, I attended the Office Administration Course in year 2000, I graduated on a Friday and was working by the following Monday (the job was where I did my practicum). I have been going non-stop since then. I credit all my success to attending the Centre, not only did it help with the education, I was able to gain knowledge on my culture.
I landed a job within the government, and with time and determination, I keep on climbing the ladder. I worked in First Nations Claims, a Secretarial position, and now as a claims assessor for the Indian Residential School Mental Health Support Program. Having all this behind me has made me more aware of which avenues I am wanting to take in the future. My goals for my future will be to work in FN issues such as health, culture, and land, etc.
What made it easy for me to achieve this goal, was the setting of the Centre. The Centre had a welcoming ceremony that really hit me hard, living in the city you do not get that much cultural interaction, so this ceremony I witnessed was the first one as an adult for me, I took it very seriously. The staff are nice, attentive, and supportive. Most of all, I felt like I was working from home, the centre does not look like a collage, but a cottage with a nice atrium, native art, and totem poles.
Brenda Hanson
My name is Brenda & I attended the Applied Business Technology Program at the Native Education Center. I secured work "before" I even graduated & worked with the organization for 3 years. I have recently had yet "another" opportunity which took me home to Klahoose First Nation where I am a band member. I decided to move back to a community in which I have never lived but have always belonged to.
Attending Native Ed has qualified me to take skills with work experience back to our community, so that I could be part of a Chief and Council that can really make a difference.
Attending The Native Education College has helped create opportunity for myself and because it included cultural values that were lost to me, it helped reunite me with my true identity, which is key.
One very wise sister who holds a highly esteemed position with Native Ed shared with me her view on what education was to her. "Freedom from Oppression" and she was right, my life is very enriched by the accomplishments the dedicated staff helped me to achieve and I know this is yet only the 1st of many chapters to come.
One more quote from an instructor: " Luck is where preparedness meets opportunity" The Native Education Center can help prepare you, you'll see...
With Respect,
Brenda Hanson
Gilda Michel
Receiving my Applied Business Technology (ABT) Certificate from the Native Education College (NEC) was a great accomplishment for me. Moving from Lillooet and relocating to Vancouver was the smartest and realistic launch of my career. The fall of 2004 was the foundation of a great career thanks to the Native Education Instructors without you I wouldn’t be where I am now- job well done!
I’m fortunate to be gainfully employed and delighted that I have applied the knowledge that I gained from NEC. I feel that learning is very important because it opens doors to great possibilities and success.
If you feel that you work best in smaller class sizes then NEC is for you. The staff are friendly and plus you get to meet other aboriginals from all over. I want to thank the Native Education College for offering me the opportunity to learn.
Gilda Michel
Gordon Maas
At NEC you will find the personal one on one attention is unequaled at any other institution. You are immediately made to feel welcome and comfortable and the enviroment is warm and friendly; no matter your level of education.
I would recommend going to NEC because the courses are more thorough than any other in the lower maindland. NEC knows that education is the best way for all First Nations to move forward in life and successs.
Gordon Maas
Jim Odjick
It took me six days to drive to British Columbia from my home in Quebec to attend courses at the Native Education College. I was a little hesitant at first but the warm and welcome greeting I received at the NEC immediately made me feel at home.
The Aboriginal Tourism course was awesome! It provided me with a solid foundation to work in the tourism and environmental fields. The instructors and staff encourage and bring out the best in everyone. After travelling thousands of kilometres to get there I never regretted it for a second!
The Native Education College is much more than just a school. It’s an experience!!!
David Clellamin
As a former student of the Native Education College, I was asked to say a few words about my experience there as a student. I found the environment to be comforting as it connected me to be at home.
The education staff made ‘exceptions’ for me to continue meeting my academic goals that otherwise would not have been made at ‘other’ educational institutions. I made it through college and university and happy to say, that I did so with my own ‘personal will and determination’ and anyone who has that will make it!!
Richard Willier – Criminal Justice Studies 1994
I, Richard Willier, spent the 1993-94 school year (September 1993 until graduating in mid-July 1994) at the Native Education College, taking the Criminal Justice Studies certificate program. That year was one of the best years I had in taking my lifelong studies; I really mean that! The atmosphere was incredible, given the environment of learning with and around quality people (staff and students), and being inside the magnificent and awe inspiring Native Education College - what a powerful cultural place to attend at, and to learn more about First Nations cultures and the higher learning aspects (which means not just learning about the normal half truths which most students learn in a regular college institution, but the addition of the other side of the Aboriginal story(ies) and the true Canadian histories). I recall how the staff assisted me and the others in such a dignifying and respectful way, and as a result I am truly grateful for their time and persistence - they allowed me to gain a higher overall average mark for my studies than I anticipated (an A- average), and encouraged me to continue onward to Douglas College's Criminology Diploma program (where I received the esteemed criminology scholarship) and then to Simon Fraser University's School of Criminology (I graduated with my Bachelor's Degree) where I finished on the honor roll - I did all of this even though I originally planned to attend Native Ed for my first year of college, and then pursue a job. I am also grateful for the opportunity to learn with many fine Aboriginal students from all across Canada, and what a thrill that was, given the experiences and knowledge they possessed and past onto me. I still enjoy visiting Native Ed and hope more Aboriginal students consider attending there, as the experiences gained can never be matched, without attending another first rate Aboriginal run school. Lastly, I am still honored to have went to Native Ed and would encourage anyone aspiring to reach their goals to check the school out, as they have some very good, quality type programs to access, and it allows students that extra helping step to achieve their goals by attending college or another Native Ed program, prior to potentially attending elsewhere afterwards, if someone chooses that route (a number of my fellow students have achieved their goals by attending Native Ed for 1 year , and then securing good jobs). Currently, I have been involved in the criminal justice field in different aspects/jobs, although primarily in Probation Services as a Probation Officer, for about 7-12 years - as I did my first Probation practicum while completing my Native Ed criminology studies.
My best wishes for all our people, and to all my relations, I wish you great life long studies, the legal ability to be a today's warrior's in a respectful way, and the ability to pursue your goals!
Marlene Trick – Native Public Administration 1995
I started in the fall of 1994 at the Native Education College. I graduated with a certificate from Native Public Administration Program in 1995. There were sixteen students enrolled in the class, by the time graduation came along in 1995 we had 8 students who graduated. It was then in 1995 I made the commitment to sobriety in my life because I knew I would never have success if I continued to drink. I have 11 years sobriety coming up in July.
Following my graduation I went on to Langara College and continued my studies during 1995/96 and Graduated in 1997 with a Coordinated Diploma in Public Administration.
In 1995 I began volunteering for Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business and then was offered a summer job. Following graduation I was employed with the Downtown Eastside Women’s Centre Association for four years as Administrator until 2000 when I applied for a position with the City of Vancouver.Happily I was accepted to Carnegie Community Centre as the Senior’s Programmer, Cultural Sharing Programmer and I also work with women in the community. I take the senior’s on trips around Vancouver and the First Nations group to Cultural Gatherings around the Lower Mainland. We travel to the Elders Gathering, Lytton Healing Gathering and harvest medicine in Lillooet territory every year. Myself along with other women in the community help to organize the annual February 14th Women’s Memorial March every year. This march is to remember the murdered and missing women from the downtown eastside. There are 67 women on the missing women’s list.
It has been one of the most challenging, rewarding and heartfelt jobs I have had in my life and I am grateful for the launch the Native Education College had given me all those years ago.
