Native Education

Stories. Leadership. Transformation. From learners to leaders Alumni Challenge At NEC, every learner’s story matters. Over the years, thousands of alumni have walked through our doors, carrying hopes, dreams, and resilience. This fall, we’re celebrating those stories,  and giving our community the chance to shine a light on transformation, leadership, and cultural pride. Share your NEC story of transformation and leadership for a chance to win: 🥇 1st Place: $1,500 🥈 2nd Place: $500 🥉 3rd Place: $250 Your story will inspire future learners, strengthen community, and showcase NEC’s role in resilience, healing, and leadership. Submit Your Story How it works? Focus on transformation and how your NEC journey helped you become a leader, in your family, community, workplace, or Nation.  Submit (Oct 1–14): Alumni complete the form below with a 250-word story and one photo.  Shortlisting: NEC reviews entries for eligibility and selects stories to feature on our social media and website. Vote (Oct 15–21): Community support decides the winners. Total engagement on NEC’s official posts (likes + comments + shares) counts as votes. Celebrate (Oct 22): We announce 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place across NEC channels and contact winners directly. Eligibility Open to NEC alumni (graduates or program completers). Must be 18+ by Oct 1. One entry per person. NEC employees may share stories but are not eligible for prizes.   Get started! Permissions & Use By submitting, you grant NEC a non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide license to use your story, name, program, and photo in NEC’s website, social media, print, video, and promotional materials (with credit). You may revoke permission for future uses by contacting us (this does not affect materials already published). Community Standards NEC reserves the right to withhold publication of entries that: Contain hateful, discriminatory, harassing, or defamatory language; Include third-party copyrighted content without permission; Disclose private information without consent; Are off-topic or exceed 250 words. Entries may be lightly edited for clarity, length, and spelling while preserving meaning and voice. Privacy Personal information is collected solely for contest administration and will be handled in accordance with NEC’s privacy practices. We do not sell personal information. Contact details are used to confirm eligibility and notify winners. Disclaimers & Terms NEC may modify timelines (e.g., due to platform outages) and will post updates on this page. NEC’s count of engagement is final and may differ from visible counts due to platform analytics. Entries that violate rules or include ineligible content may be disqualified. No purchase or payment is necessary to enter or win. Void where prohibited.  

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EATANDGIVE

Your Impact Matter Honour Truth, Support Reconciliation. Thank you for joining Nuba and the Native Education College (NEC) in marking Truth and Reconciliation Day. DONATE NOW! Eat Well. Do Good. Every year on September 30, we pause to honour survivors of residential schools, their families, and the generations affected by colonial violence. Truth and Reconciliation Day is a reminder of the work we must do together.By dining at Nuba between Saturday and Tuesday, you’ve helped contribute to that healing. For every appetizer sold, Nuba is donating $1 to NEC — supporting education as a pathway to reconciliation.   Donate now The Native Education College (NEC) has been a place of learning, healing, and cultural connection for Indigenous learners since 1967. At NEC, students find: Culturally grounded programs that honour Indigenous knowledge. Scholarships and support services that remove barriers to education. A welcoming community that fosters resilience, leadership, and hope. Your support helps NEC empower Indigenous students to thrive — creating lasting change for families and communities. How You Can Help Your meal is more than nourishment — it’s part of reconciliation. You can keep the impact going: Donate directly to NEC programs and scholarships. Learn more about Indigenous education and reconciliation. Share this message with your community.   DONATE NOW

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Student challenge 2025

Building Bridges Together | NEC Student Ambassador Initiative Education opens doors, and for many students, the Provincial Tuition Waiver Program and the Learning for Future Grant are life-changing. The Provincial Tuition Waiver Program waives tuition and eligible fees for current and former children and youth in care studying at B.C. public post-secondary schools, the Native Education College, and union-based trades training providers. The Learning for Future Grant provides an annual $3,500 grant (August–July) to help with costs not covered by tuition (like textbooks, computers, and supplies). These programs are here to help students succeed, and we’re inviting NEC students to act as Ambassadors to help us share this message with our extended community. How to Take Part To participate in the Building Bridges Together – Student Ambassador Initiative, follow these steps on the official NEC social media Ambassador post: Comment by sharing why you believe the Tuition Waiver Program is important. You might reflect on how it supports students, strengthens families, or opens doors to future opportunities in our community. Intentionally share this message by connecting with or inviting 10 family members or friends in your comment, people who should know about the Tuition Waiver Program and its impact. By inviting others into the conversation, you help extend awareness and act as an NEC Student Ambassador, building bridges between our community and the opportunities available through NEC. The first 50 students to complete these steps will receive a $100 gift card* as our thank-you. Timeline Initiative Opens: December 2, 2025 at 8:00 AM Initiative Closes: December 11, 2025 at 2:00 PM Ambassadors Contacted: December 12, 2025 Rules & Eligibility Open to currently enrolled NEC students only. Limit one gift card per student. Students must be able to provide proof of current NEC enrollment to claim their gift card. Gift cards are non-transferable and have no cash value. NEC reserves the right to verify eligibility, determine whether participation meets the stated criteria, disqualify entries that do not meet the criteria, and make all final decisions related to gift card distribution. This initiative is in no way sponsored, endorsed, or administered by, or associated with, Facebook. By participating, students release Facebook from any responsibility. Together, we’re building futures,  and bridges, one comment, one connection, and one opportunity at a time. Prize Disclaimer: *The total appreciation pool for the Building Bridges Together – Student Ambassador Initiative is $5,000, awarded as fifty (50) individual $100 gift cards. Gift cards will be granted to the first fifty (50) eligible NEC students whose Ambassador participation meets all stated criteria. Limit of one (1) gift card per student. Gift cards have no cash value and cannot be exchanged or transferred. This initiative is open only to current NEC students who can provide proof of enrollment. NEC reserves the right to verify eligibility, disqualify participation that does not meet the stated criteria, and make final decisions regarding gift card distribution.

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Student Conference

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NEC Cultural Festival

Celebrating Culture, Community, and Creativity NEC CULTURAL FESTIVAL May 8th 2:00 – 6:30 pm / NEC campus: 285 E 5th Ave, Vancouver, BC V5T 1H2 Join us for the Native Education College Festival, a vibrant celebration in collaboration with the host nations. This event is a powerful opportunity to honour Indigenous culture, support healing, and showcase the incredible talents of Indigenous Peoples. Experience an unforgettable day filled with storytelling, music, spoken word, dance, BBQ, and interactive workshops. Take part in a traditional Slahal tournament, enjoy a live weaving demonstration, and join in Powwow and Round Dance workshops led by skilled instructors. Explore a diverse range of local artisan and craft vendors, and enjoy live music from the NEC Band. Don’t miss the excitement of the bannock-making contest and the NEC Scholarship giveaway. To top it all off, enjoy powerful cultural performances, closing the day with energy, pride, and tradition. Everyone is welcome. No need to Register just come and Enjoy!

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Gala Award Nominations 2025

AWARD NOMINATIONS 2025 GALA & HONOURING FEAST This year we look forward to celebrating the accomplishments of our Employees, Board members, Alumni and Community leaders. NEC will honour seven remarkable humans who are making a difference in the lives of Indigenous Peoples. The award winners are highly respected, innovative, dedicated professionals in their career, volunteer, or advocacy roles in the community. Recognizing Greatness starts with you. Who will you nominate? Longhouse Award This award is named after Lillian Prince. This award recognizes the unique contributions of an NEC employee that demonstrates love, kindness, and longhouse values in their daily practice. These contributions support the safety and wellbeing of the Indigenous learner, and help build a sense of community on campus Click here to -> Nominate Community Service award This award is named after Wanda Bolton, a former NEC program coordinator who was a passionate advocate and teacher who continuously demonstrated excellence in community service. This award recognizes Indigenous leaders in the community who share their unique and important contributions. Click here to -> Nominate Educational Excellence award this award is named after George Manuel, the influential Grand Chief who made a significant difference in how Indigenous people are considered at the National and International level. This award recognizes past NEC Graduates who excelled in successfully achieving higher post-secondary education. Click here to -> Nominate Academic Achievement award This award recognizes the accomplishments achieved by an Indigenous NEC alumni member who has demonstrated outstanding academic performance from the most recent year of the program. Click here to -> Nominate Leadership award This award is named after Chief Joe Mathias, the former Chief of Squamish Nation worked towards having Indigenous Rights and Title recognized by the federal and provincial governments. This award recognizes NEC graduates who exemplify leadership in their careers and communities. Click here to -> Nominate Visionary award This award is named after former Chief Gertrude Guerin, One of the founding members of NEC that began the organization with a vision to have a place for Indigenous People to begin their learning journey. This award recognizes a current or former NEC Board member who strives toward empowering Indigenous Peoples. Click here to -> Nominate Trail Blazer Award This award is named after Ben Paul, co-founder of the Native Education College. He was a trendsetter and fierce advocate for Indigenous Peoples and education. With a grassroots approach, Ben provided Indigenous learners with a safe space to begin their educational journey. Click here to -> Nominate 

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Indigenous Language Studies

NEC’s Continuing Studies Language Series Anishinaabe-mowin (“Ojibwe” Language) Language Speaker, Deborah Littlejohn We invite the Indigenous community and students to our drop-in courses of anishinaabe-mowin language, learn at your own pace Contact information: Tamara Starblanket tstarblanket@necvancouver.org   Time and dates: There are 20 seats available on a first come first serve basis. Food and refreshments will be served.  Place: 285 E 5th Ave, Vancouver, BC V5T 1H2 Room 102   November 2024 12th , 15th , 19th , 21st , 26th , & 28th From 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm December 2024 3rd, 5th , 10th , & 12th From 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm

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Info Sessions/Tours

Join us for an Informative Longhouse Tour and discover how NEC can support you in finding your ideal career path.

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Student – Staff Picnic 2024

Join us! Student – Staff Picnic June 14 th 2024 Activities:  Food & snacks   Relay race Scavenger Hunt Community  at Trout Lake Park

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Indigenous Peoples day 2024

Indigenous Peoples day June 21st is a day of celebration and reflection, marking the vibrant cultures and invaluable contributions of Canada’s First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities. This special day, coinciding with the summer solstice, not only heralds the longest day of the year but also symbolizes a season of renewal—a perfect backdrop for honoring the resilience and diversity of Indigenous traditions. Register here JUNE 21 National Indigenous Peoples Day holds a cherished place in Canada’s calendar, offering an official day to honor the rich history and heritage of Indigenous peoples. It’s a time for joyous festivities and heartfelt appreciation for their achievements and unique perspectives.   At the Native Education College, our dedication lies in delivering culturally authentic education, walking hand in hand with the journey of truth and reconciliation. Through our embrace of Indigenous knowledge and traditions, we cultivate inclusive learning environments that deeply honor and respect diverse perspectives. dean.. Message 

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