Aboriginal students learn about opportunities at Malaspina

Over 300 Aboriginal high school students and adults from Vancouver Island communities gathered at Malaspina University-College’s Nanaimo campus on Thursday (March 17) to learn about post-secondary programs and services available at Malaspina.

"This is an annual event to familiarize Aboriginal students with everything Malaspina has to offer," said Lynne MacFadgen, Community & School Liaison Coordinator in Malaspina’s Student Services department. "The intention is to make Malaspina more accessible to Aboriginal communities, and empower students and adults with the knowledge that it's well within their grasp to pursue and complete a post-secondary education."

Participants toured the campus and learned about specific programs in First Nations Studies, Natural Resource Management (Forest Resources Technology, Resource Management Officer Technology and Fisheries and Aquaculture), Education, Child and Youth Care, Nursing, Criminology, Culinary Arts, Professional Baking and other trades.

They also heard inspiring speeches by current and former Aboriginal students, and keynote speaker Dr. Evan Adams, Chief Resident in Aboriginal Family Medicine at St. Paul's Hospital in Vancouver.

Encouraging students to pursue their education, Dr. Adams said "If you want the best out of life, you have to give your best. It's hard work. Follow your heart. Tell yourself you're going for it. Do it with courage, kindness and community mindedness."

Fran Tait, First Nations Coordinator and Student Services & Education Advisor at Malaspina, and Master of Ceremonies for the day, said Dr. Adams is an excellent role model. He is Coast Salish from the Sliammon Band near Powell River, and a full-scholarship alumnus of St. Michael's University School and of Lester B. Pearson College of the Pacific of Victoria. Dr. Adams completed three years of pre-med studies at the University of British Columbia, and his medical studies at the University of Calgary in 2002.

In addition to his educational accomplishments, Dr.Adams is a well-known writer and actor, and has appeared in numerous feature films and television programs. He is former host of Aboriginal Peoples Television Network’s #1 rated show Buffalo Tracks, and was a regular on the CBC’s night time TV series These Arms of Mine. He can soon be seen in FallsApart Production’s new American feature film, The Business of Fancydancing.