Native Education

Who we are

Native Education College

NEC acknowledges the ancestral and unceded territory of the Coast Salish Peoples, including the host Nations xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.

Our Approach

Our Mission

The NEC Native Education College provides a culturally appropriate and supportive learning environment for Indigenous learners, within available resources. Non-Indigenous learners are welcome.

In pursuit of this Mission, the NEC Native Education College will bring about the following results: 

  • Learners will experience a learning environment that respects and reflects the diversity of Indigenous culture.
  • Learners get the support they need to achieve their educational goals in a way that respects their individual cultural values.
  • Learners are prepared for meaningful roles in Indigenous communities and society in general.
  • Graduates are prepared for employment or to go on to further their education
  • Graduates receive recognition in the form of a certificate, diploma or degree.
  • There is an informed respectful working relationship amongst Indigenous groups.
  • The public is better informed on Indigenous education issues.

Our Vision

NEC is the college of choice for Indigenous learners who chose Indigenous cultural supports for the realization of their education and career goals.
Our entire team wants to see a world where every youngster struggling in any way feels able to reach out and has people who’ll help them with education, jobs, and more. We want to spread out in every region so we’ll be reachable to all.

Longhouse Values

Accountability

We all have a role to perform that is an extension of a grand design. As adults, we share freedom of choice and freedom of action, and thus, we also have the responsibility to accept the results of our choices and actions.

Understanding

We will rely on example and persuasion rather than authority and force when change is considered. We are determined to explore the limits of our understanding.

Gratitude

From our unity arises our responsibility to our present generation and generations yet unborn and our gratitude to the generations that have come before us

Respect

We recognize that nothing is barred from consideration as long as it does not intrude into the lives of others. From our unity arises our respect for Mother Earth, upon which we all depend, our respect for the ways and opinion of others, even if we do not share those ways or opinions. In respecting others, we respect ourselves; our capacity to appreciate each other as we are, and our resolve not to see our ways compromised.

Diversity

We recognize that as Aboriginals, we are many people. We celebrate the diversity of our ways as a source of strength within our nations. Thus in diversity we find unity.

Thank you to First Nations, Metis, and Indigenous Communities

The Native Education College works with First Nations, Métis, and Indigenous communities to deliver accredited post-secondary and adult upgrading programs in locations throughout British Columbia. NEC programs are developed with Indigenous content and teaching methods for Indigenous learners on our campus in east Vancouver. Our Adult Upgrading courses are recognized at all public colleges and universities in B.C. Our postsecondary certificate and diploma programs provide credit for degree programs at BC universities and institutes.

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