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.
Program Description
The BC Adult Graduation Diploma (also known as the Adult Dogwood) program gives students high school completion, and prepares them for careers and post-secondary education. IABE is accredited by the BC Ministry of Advanced Education and affiliated with Vancouver Community College (VCC). This program embodies an Indigenous perspective by offering Cultural Studies, Social Justice, and Creative Writing with Indigenous Approaches, including First Peoples English and First Nations Studies. All our English courses use literature by Indigenous authors to provide a cultural perspective and Indigenous worldview. After completing this program, graduates will meet the Grade 12 prerequisite requirements for post-secondary education at all accredited institutions.
The IABE program offers the ability to upgrade your courses or earn your Adult Dogwood Diploma.
Program Highlights
- Duration: 14 weeks per term
- Delivery Method: On-campus
- Intakes:
– Fall 2025
– Winter 2026
– Spring 2026 - Schedule: We offer a flexible schedule. Each course consist of 7.5 instructional hours per week + homework
Adult Dogwood
- A required Language Arts 12 course or equivalent
- A math 11 or 12 course or equivalent
- At least three additional Grade 12 electives, or a Grade 11 Socials Studies course and two additional Grade 12 electives
Upgrading Courses
Adult learns can upgrade their courses here at NEC to meet the entry requirements to enter post secondary programs. Most post secondary programs have entry requirements such as English or Math component. Available course are listed below.
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this program, the successful student will have reliably demonstrated the ability to:
1) Develop enhanced literacy and numeracy skills from an Indigenous lens.
2) Understand the impacts of colonization and critically apply this knowledge from your own Indigenous worldview.
3) learners will develop and demonstrate foundational knowledge and skills in key subject areas — such as English, math, science, and social studies — through culturally grounded, relevant, and supportive learning experiences.
We are committed to providing a welcoming and culturally safe environment where students can thrive on their educational journey.
Authentic Indigenous Academic Programs and Curriculum
Prevention of Genocide - Critical and Cultural Thought Processes
Holistic Wrap Around Supports
Course offerings
| MATH 020 | Mathematics – Fundamental |
| MATH 040 | Mathematics – Intermediate |
| MATH 062 | Business & Technical Mathematics – Advanced |
| FPE 040 | First Peoples English – Intermediate |
| FPE 060 | First Peoples English – Advanced |
| FPE 081 | First Peoples English Literature – Provincial |
| ESSIA 060 | Exploring Social Science with Indigenious Approaches – Advanced |
| ENVSC 060 | Environmental Science – Advanced |
| CST 060 | Computer Studies – Advanced |
| CST 080 | Computer Studies – Provincial |
| CRW 080 | Creative Writing – Provincial |
| SJIA 080 | Social Justice and Indigenous Approaches – Provincial |
| EDCP 080 | Education and Career Planning – Intermediate |
Admission Requirements
Highschool Admission
- Canadian citizen or permanent resident
- age 18 or older
- provide a transcript for assessment or Accuplacer assessment test (link here for accuplacer)
- 18 years or older
tuition and fees
These courses are tuition fee for eligible students. The StudentAid BC Adult Upgrading Grant may cover tuition, books, transportation costs, childcare, and other fees. Adult Upgrading Grant must be applied every term. Students are eligible to receive funding to repeat a course only once after failing or withdrawing from the course. Click here for additional information.
*This program does NOT need to be approved by Private Training Institutions Regulatory Unit (PTIRU)of the Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills
Returning students – Please contact the program manager for more information
New students – Please contact the IABE Pathways Coordinator for more information
Longhouse Values
These original laws are embedded in every aspect of our House. They invite cultural identity and selfdetermination of Indigenous Peoples, which empowers learners to advance their unique personal and educational goals.
- Diversity
- Respect
- Understanding
- Gratitude
- Accountability