Native Education College (NEC) is the largest private Indigenous college in British Columbia and honours the cultural perspectives of its students. The unique Vancouver campus is modelled in form and function on a traditional cedar longhouse and features a totem pole created by well-known carver Norman Tait.
Some programs are free to Indigenous students who are covered by the Aboriginal Community Career Employment Services Society. Funding covers tuition, books, course fees and a weekly stipend. This year, the school’s health care assistant program is fully funded for Indigenous students (but open to non-Indigenous students). The program uses an Indigenous wellness framework and promotes culturally appropriate care.

Credits earned at NEC can be transferred to five post-secondary institutions in the province. Diplomas and certificates are offered in office administration and employment training, family and community counselling, Indigenous land stewardship, Indigenous justice studies, Indigenous early childhood education, digital leadership and health care. The Indigenous adult basic education program, which is also free to Indigenous students, prepares learners for post-secondary education and focuses on cultural studies, self-government and First Nations studies. The Indigenous justice studies program is centred on decolonization and the challenges Indigenous people face in the Canadian justice system.

In 2017, NEC opened a cultural gathering space at its main campus to give students, faculty and staff a safe place to carry out traditional ceremony and prayer.

Cool Options
• Digital Leadership: Prepares students for work as a technology support specialist for businesses and communities, with a focus on critical analysis, cultures and communities. Helps students develop leadership skills.
• Indigenous Early Childhood Education: This 11-month program builds on knowledge about children’s behaviour, development and emotional needs. Students learn to incorporate an Indigenous perspective while creating and delivering programs in childcare centres. Experiential learning opportunities are available after completing the program.
• Indigenous Land Stewardship: Study land resource management through 10 courses underpinned with Indigenous knowledge. This one-year certificate program includes an online option, which can also be taken part-time.