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KELOWNA ● PENTICTON ● SALMON ARM ● VERNON

Looking for volunteer hours? Ask one of our Transition Planners about

volunteering at the Aboriginal Career Fair!

Winter 2016

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KLO ORIENTATION 2016 – January 4th -7th

Why not volunteer for campus activities? Volunteering in your community looks great on scholarship and bursary applications!

WINTER WELCOME WEEK

Monday, Jan. 4,

8 – 10:30 a.m.

Welcome table in the Breezeway with coffee and treats.

Pick up information about Winter Welcome Week and an OC

backpack.

1 – 3 p.m. Student Café.

Stop by the atrium for coffee, hot chocolate, board games, coffee

and snacks in a coffee-house style venue.

Tuesday, Jan. 5, 11:15 a.m. – 1:30

p.m.

Welcome Back Lunch and Services Fair

Come enjoy a free lunch on us! Music, prizes, fun and a chance to visit Okanagan College Clubs and Services tables.

Wednesday, Jan. 6,

6 – 9 p.m. Indoor Carnival and Movie Night. Join us for carnival games and a free pizza dinner in the Pit, following by a movie in Room H115.

Thursday, Jan. 7, 5:30 – 9:30 p.m.

Downtown Kelowna Activity Crawl. Meet in the residence parking lot for a bus ride downtown where we’ll start the night with skating on the outdoor rink at Stuart Park, followed by games and camaraderie at BNA pub. We’ll cover the cost of the bus ride down! (still to be confirmed!)

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IMPORTANT DATES FOR Winter 2016

Monday, Jan. 4 First Day of Classes for all Academic Programs Friday, Jan. 15 Last day to register for a Winter semester course. Last day to receive a refund of tuition fees for course drop. Last day to drop a course without a withdrawal being recorded

on your student record. Last day to change course registration status from audit to

credit. Last day to process student requests for waiver of

medical/dental insurance. Monday, Feb. 8 Family Day (no classes) Tuesday, Feb 9 – Friday Feb. 12

Mid-semester study break. No classes for all academic programs.

Saturday, Feb. 13 Saturday classes will be held Friday, Mar. 4 Last day to withdraw from a course without academic penalty. Last day to change registration status from credit to audit. Friday, Mar 25 – Monday Mar. 28

Easter (no classes)

Tuesday, Apr. 12 Last day of regularly-scheduled classes for academic programs except water Engineering Tech Diploma year 1, Network & Telecommunications Engineering Tech Diploma year 1.

Friday, Apr 15 – Saturday, Apr. 23

Final Exam Period.

Tuesday, April 26 Last day to submit final grades. Friday, May 13 Last day of regularly scheduled classes for Electronic

engineering Tech Diploma Tuesday, May 17 – Saturday, May 28

Final exam period for Electronic engineering Tech Diploma

Monday, May 23 Victoria Day (no classes) Friday, May 27 Last day to submit final grade appeal to the Registrar’s Office for

the Winter semester. Submission and fee must be received by the Registrar before 4pm deadline.

WINTER EVENTS AT YOUR CAMPUS

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WATCH FOR HOT SOUP DAYS THROUGHOUT THE TERM!

ABORIGINAL CENTER

KELOWNA

Welcome Pot Luck Lunch

Bring your favorite food to share or just

drop in!

Tuesday, January 12th Noon – 1:15 pm

Aboriginal Center S124

Cultural Workshop with Pamela Barnes

Thursday, January 21st Join us noon – 1:00 pm

Pine Needle Basket Workshop with

Jackie Wildcat

Wednesday, January 27 – Time TBD

Ground Hog Day Pot Luck

Bring your favorite food to share or just

drop in and look for your shadow!

Tuesday, February 2nd Noon – 1:15 pm

Aboriginal Center

Elder Visit with Grouse Barnes

Come visit with an elder during lunch.

Tuesday, February 2nd Aboriginal Center

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Study Break – NO CLASSES

Week of February 9 – 12th

The Aboriginal Center is open!

Chocolate Sharing Day!!

February 15th

Bring some chocolate to share, or just

drop in and enjoy!

11:00am – 2:00pm

Spring Pot Luck

Thursday, March 3rd

Bring your favorite food to share or just

drop in!

Elder Visit with Grouse Barnes

Tuesday, March 15th

Come visit with an elder during lunch

Noon – 1:00pm

Aboriginal Graduation Recognition

Ceremony; Celebrating Student Success

Saturday, March 21th

12:00 – 4:00pm

Join us for a pre-ceremony meet and

greet with friends and family, to take

lots of photos. Ceremony will be held in

the Lecture Theatre at 1:00 pm and is

followed by a luncheon in The Pit to close

out the afternoon.

Cultural Workshop with Pamela Barnes

and End of Term Potluck

Thursday, April 7th

Noon – 1:30pm

Have you ever noticed

that there are no recipes for leftover

chocolate?

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Aboriginal Career Fair – Your future

Self

May 5th - 9am – 2pm

Kelowna Campus –

Come out and connect with Okanagan

employers. Check out different career

ideas, plan your future and enjoy a BBQ

lunch.

Aboriginal Day Summer Picnic

June 21st

Come and celebrate and share in an early

pot luck summer picnic. Bring your picnic

basket and blanket or chairs. Share your

goals with other students, both returning

and new, for the new school year.

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VERNON

Mini Potluck & Orientation

Elder visit - Lucy Louis

Wednesday, January 13th

Drum Group Meeting

with Cyndie Roufosse

Come out and learn to drum

Friday, January 15th & 22nd

Elder Visit - with Lucy Louis

Wednesday, January 27th

Lucy Louis, Elder Okanagan Indian Band,

visits with Peer Mentors in Vernon 2015.

Dream Catcher Workshop (date TBA)

Wednesday, Feb 3rd

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Mini Potluck Gathering

Elder visit - Lucy Louis

Wednesday, Feb 17th

Beading Workshop (tentative)

Elder visit - Lucy Louis

Wednesday, Feb 24th

Beading workshop 2015 in Vernon.

Annual Aboriginal Student Day Potluck

Wednesday, March 9th

Year-End Potluck

Wednesday, April 20

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PENTICTON

Pot Luck

Aboriginal Student Lounge-PE C13

Wednesday, January 20

11:30 am – 1:00 pm

Elder in Residence

Visit Grace Greyeyes

Talking Circle

DATE TBA

12:00 – 1:30 pm.

Potluck

Thursday, February 18 11:30 am-1:00 PM

Aboriginal Student Lounge- PE C13

Multicultural Day Celebration

Wednesday, March 16 11:30 am - 1:00 pm

PC 113

Centre of Excellence

Elder in Residence

Grace Greyeyes

DATE TBA 11:00 am – 1:00 pm.

Elder in Residence

Grace Greyeyes

DATE TBA 11:30 am – 1:00 pm

Do you have questions for an Elder? Would you like to sit and just visit with

an Elder? Touch base with an Aboriginal Transition Planner about Elders

visiting your campus

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SALMON ARM

Bannock Taco Fundraiser

Bring your favorite food to share or just

drop in!

Thursday, January 21st Time: TBA

The Gathering Place – Student Lounge

5th Annual Bannock Making Contest

Wednesday, February 17th 11:00 am – 12:00 pm

TBA

6th Annual Multi-Cultural Day

Potluck

Bring your favorite food to share

or just drop in!

Wednesday, March 23rd Time: TBA

The Gathering Place – Student

Lounge

Student Success Spring Pot Luck

Tuesday, April 12th Time: TBA

The Gathering Place – Student

Lounge

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Old Fashioned Outdoor Picnic

Wednesday, May 18th Time: TBA

The Gathering Place – Student Lounge

Aboriginal Day – With Community

Tuesday, June 21st

Time: TBA

Location TBA

Annual Mid-Summer Picnic

Thursday, July 14th

Time: TBA

Location TBA

Volunteer Appreciation Day Tuesday, August 9th. Time: TBA

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Celebrating Our Peer Mentors!

VERNON

The Peer Mentors at the Vernon

Aboriginal Student Centre are a fun

group and we have enjoyed some really

great activities in September and

October; the Elders’ Gathering, Beading

Workshop, as well as visiting with our

wonderful elder – Lucy Louis who comes

every two weeks to share her stories.

Our Peer Mentors are also diligently at

work preparing for some exciting and

memorable events in November and

December: Candle Light Vigil, Christmas

Potluck/Party, our 7th Annual Campus

Food Drive, and Sylxcn (Okanagan)

Language Lessons. We are busy gathering

donations, and beading gifts in

preparation for our Year End Potluck!

Love our Dream Team!!

Hi, my name is Kim O’Neill and I am a

Peer Mentor in the aboriginal support

room at the Vernon Campus of Okanagan

College. I am a non-status Aboriginal

student who is 40 years old with two

sons. I am taking the Arts program and

at the end of this semester I will have my

social service worker certificate. I love

working with all the different students

that come to the Aboriginal room,

especially when we have our craft days.

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Michael Ochoa: I am a member of the

Okanagan Indian Band. I am in my 3rd year

here at Okanagan College. I graduated

from the Human Service Worker Diploma

Program in June 2015.

I am currently working on my Bachelor’s

Degree in Social Work. Coming to College

as a “mature student” I have done many

things that I have not done before; giving

an online seminar to many other

colleagues and students on Powwow

Etiquette, lectures, cultural workshop to

LPN students, and many Community

members. My time here has been a

growing and rewarding experience as

much as learning.

Alexandria Inglangasuk: I am currently

enrolled in the Associate of Arts

Program, 1st Year. I am 30 years old from

Inuvik, Northwest Territories - Inuvialuit

Settlement Region. My language is

Inuvialuktun. I enjoy being an Aboriginal

Peer mentor. It has helped me meet

other Aboriginal students here at

Okanagan College, which also allows me to

not only share my culture, but to learn

from others.

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Brenna Paul: I am from the Sechelt

Band. My goal is to get my grade 12

English and go to Bible College.

I chose the college as it is very close to

where I currently live, and it is

economical and affordable.

The instructors are great, and very

helpful.

The Aboriginal student center is a

comfortable place to be. Students all

treat each other as equals

And not one person is better than the

other. I like the Aboriginal Student

center.

Michael Forster: I am from the Sechelt

band in North Vancouver, BC. I am 19 and

recently graduated from Clarence Fulton

Secondary. My educational goal and

dream is to become an actor. I chose

Okanagan College because it would help

me to become closer to my acting career.

I have had the opportunity to host small

performances and introductions

throughout the year. These small

performances are exciting as I learn

step-by-step how to organize, and plan a

featured play and script. I wrote -“How

to find Cosmos”. What do I like most

about the Aboriginal student center? I

enjoy seeing all the friendly faces of

friends and new arrivals. It is great to

see so many students coming to the

College!

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PENTICTON

Weytkp. My name is Angela Browett. I

am of Secwepemc ancestry. I belong to

Stswecem'c First Nation (nee Canoe

Creek Indian Band). I am taking the

Business Administration program

specializing in Marketing. I love attending

Okanagan College because of the friendly

professors that give you a look into their

own experience’s in their respected

fields. I find being a Peer Mentor at OC

is fulfilling because I am able to help

other students navigate through this new

college experience. Kukwtsétsemc (Thank

you).

Hadih! Hi, my name is Valerie LeComte; I

am currently enrolled in the Criminal

Social Justice Program. I have been

attending Okanagan College for the past

two years. I am from Fort St. James BC,

Nakazdli Band. I am a mother to four

children and grandmother to 6 grandsons.

I am looking forward to achieving many

new goals I have set out for myself here

at Okanagan College. Looking forward to

being able to help other students do the

same. I love Okanagan College Penticton

for their tremendous amount of

knowledge of how to help a student out if

they are having trouble in a course. Their

resources are limitless. I am one of the

new Aboriginal peer mentors, and looking

forward to seeing you all around campus.

Musi.

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KELOWNA

The peer mentor team at the KLO campus

is available daily to assist or support

students and enhance their educational

experience. We are here to provide

students with meaningful and effective

support in their academic and non-

academic ventures. Our non-judgmental,

accepting and welcoming environment is

an ideal place, and also provides many

cultural activities throughout the

semester. Our helpful peer mentors

provide effective strategies in exploring

solutions in regards to academic

problems. They can also assist you in

finding or guiding you to the many

resources located on campus.

My name is Sandra Gaspard and I am

from the Bonaparte Indian Band which is

part of the Shuswap Nation. I am in the

Business Degree Program in my second

year. My goal is to become an Economic

Development Officer and return to my

community to help build and grow new

business to support economic freedom

for my community. My role as a Peer

Mentor has been very rewarding. To be in

a position to meet and assist my fellow

peers in their educational journey truly is

a blessing. I enjoy our facility and

encourage others to come in and be a part

of our healthy environment.

Do you like to plan events?

Would you like to help

other students in their

college journey? Why not

be a peer mentor? Watch

for job postings online

during the summer, for

Fall and Winter positions.

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My name is Stephanie Purchase. I am

from Newfoundland and of Qualipu

Mig'maw ancestry. I am taking the Human

Service Work program. I love being at

Okanagan College because of the small

class sizes and the good relationship you

build with your professors while here.

Being a Peer Mentor with Aboriginal

Student Services has been great for me

because I am able to meet other students

and help them enjoy a fulfilling

experience at Okanagan College.

Hello, my name is Rebecca Thomas from

Tsq’escen (Canim Lake), B.C. I am

currently enrolled in the Business

Administration Diploma – Tourism and

Hospitality program. Here at Okanagan

College you will meet some great

professors, staff and peer mentors that

will help guide you along your new journey

of learning and growing. I’m excited to

have the opportunity to be a peer mentor

here at the Kelowna Campus. As a peer

mentor I’m here to help make your

transition into college life a little bit

easier, whether it’s finding the IT center,

Student Services Office or just to sit

and have a little chat. Please remember

that while things may get scary and you

will face challenges a great adventure

awaits you!!

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SALMON ARM

Julia Qualtier is a Lower Similkameen

Band member and is currently working

towards Health Care Aid certification at

Okanagan College in Salmon Arm. Julia

plans to eventually attend the Licensed

Practical Nursing Program.

Julia is a friendly and very capable

student who takes excellent care of the

Salmon Arm Gathering Place in her role of

Aboriginal Peer Mentor and we are all

proud to work together as a family. We

are very pleased that Julia plans to

continue as Aboriginal Peer Mentor from

January through June 2016.

If you are in our area, please stop in to

say hello and join the group.

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LET’S HEAR FROM OUR STUDENTS

Aboriginal Services at Okanagan College,

Salmon Arm Campus is very proud to have

played a part in the success of single

mom, Kasey Joseph. Kasey is a Metis

woman, and mother to four Aboriginal

status children, - 3 boys, ages 8 to 15 and

a daughter who is graduating grade 12 in

2016. In 2014 Kasey was a working mom

earning minimum wage in the food

industry and facing great changes in her

life. She eventually turned to education

and entered the Fast Track to Office

Program at OC, Salmon Arm Campus,

where she exceeded all expectations.

With success, Kasey dreamed of her goal

in the field of social work and in summer

2015, she enrolled in the Human Service

Work classes being offered at OC,

Vernon Campus where she studies today.

One thing Kasey would like to pass on to

new and continuing students is the

importance of taking the time to

complete applications for awards,

bursaries and scholarships. In her words,

it takes valuable time, but it can really

pay off. Literally. Kasey is the lucky

recipient of 4-awards in 2015, including:

Interior Aboriginal Endowment Award,

Jennifer Cusworth Memorial Bursary,

Betty and Kathleen Atkinson Award, and

Vernon Valley Lodge Oddfellows Award.

Blayne Olney- 2nd year Human Kinetics

Program: I am from Campbell River, and a

member of the Klahoose First Nations. I

chose to study here for the fact that

they have small class sizes, I get more

one to one attention with my instructors.

I am ready to write the BCRPA or CSEP

exam to be certified as a Personal

Trainer when I am finished my diploma. I

am also picking up some Arts/Science

electives that will be transferred to any

BC University that I might attend. Again

this is smaller classes and more one to

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one attention from instructors. When I

first started, I was pretty set on

becoming a physiotherapist. Since I am in

my second year, I have seen numerous

career opportunities come forward that I

would not have thought about. It has

made me rethink my original plan. So many

doors are opened, and it is exciting for

me to see the opportunities I have;

careers in Community Recreation, BC

Parks, Personal Training, Team Sport

Training, and so many other Health

organizations. Advice to first year

students; Time Management is KEY, and

come with a Work Ethic. This is nothing

like high school and it is more demanding

and on a whole different level than high

school.

My name is Kristina Riggs. I am 28 years

old and have 2 young girls’ ages 6 and 2 ½

years old. I am finishing up my Licensed

Practical Nursing program through

Okanagan College, Vernon campus. I grew

up in 100 mile house for most of my youth

and at the age of 16 moved to the

Okanagan area. I had some family

complications that pulled me away from

my schooling but tried to finish up

through Distance Ed. Years passed and I

had not completed my goal of grade 12

like other teens had, so off to work I

went. At the age of 25 I had the

opportunity to return to school and start

a career. This didn’t come easy with two

young ones at home, but I did a years’

worth of upgrading courses at the college

then started my journey to becoming an

LPN. The program was a total of 18

months long and throughout it I had my

ups and downs. The course load was heavy

but I was determined to get through it. I

am now near the end where I can see the

light at the end of the tunnel. I am

currently finishing up my preceptorship

at Polson Multi in residential care and

enjoying every minute of it.

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Some of my most memorable moments

throughout the program were my first

practicum as it often is the most

scariest, doing hands on skills in the lab

because I am a hands on learner, anatomy

and physiology class as I enjoy learning

about the heart and brain, pharmacology

because it is most important when you get

out working, and most favorite was my

practicum in the hospital on the surgical

unit because I enjoy wound care and

there are many skills to be used there.

My name is Stephanie Harry. My

grandmother was Virginia Basil, and my

grandfather Larry Basil. My mother is

Deidre Felix from the Splatsin Nation,

and my father was Garnet Harry from

Xgat’tem Nation. I am a proud

Secwepemc woman from the Splatsin

nation. I chose to study Law to challenge

myself. The injustices of the world have

bothered me since childhood and I always

wanted to make a difference by helping

people around me to find the right way to

deal with the maze of life. I choose

Okanagan College because the class size

is small, and efficient. The Aboriginal

Student Centre has been such a big help.

Marilyn keeps me on track, and makes

sure I am where I am supposed to be.

Kukstemc, Marilyn for everything.

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Recreation and Athletic Services; Keeping Mind & Body Healthy

Kelowna KLO Fitness Facility:

Regular Hours - September – April

Monday –Thursday: 6 am - 8 pm

Friday: 6 am - 6 pm

Saturday: 12 - 4 pm

Closed Sundays

Penticton Campus Fitness

Facility Located in the Centre of Excellence

Building.

Mon-Thurs: 7:00am – 7:00pm

Friday: 7:00am – 5:00pm

Facility is not open on weekends.

Community events can interrupt the

regular schedule – check online for

current schedule.

Vernon Campus Fitness

The Fitness Centre will be open to

students starting September 21st and

the hours will be as follows:

Monday –Thursday: 7:00 am – 8:00 pm

Friday – 7:00 am to 4:00 pm

Salmon Arm Campus

Salmon Arm Recreation Center

$1 pass to pool, sauna, and hot tub.

ProActive Fitness

$2 pass to this gym.

Both facilities are walking distance to

the college.

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Community Events BC Hockey League Action, Junior A’s

SUPPORT OUR LOCAL TEAM, THE WEST KELOWNA WARRIORS ON HOME ICE –

ROYAL LEPAGE PLACE, 2760 CAMERON RD, WEST KELOWNA, BC

SA 02-Jan-16 7:30P West Kelowna Merritt Nicola Valley Arena

SU 03-Jan-16 2:30P Surrey West Kelowna Royal LePage Place

FR 08-Jan-16 7:00P Merritt West Kelowna Royal LePage Place

TU 12-Jan-16 7:00P Vernon West Kelowna Royal LePage Place

FR 15-Jan-16 7:00P Trail West Kelowna Royal LePage Place

SA 16-Jan-16 7:00P West Kelowna Salmon Arm Shaw Centre

FR 22-Jan-16 7:00P West Kelowna Vernon Kal Tire Place

SA 23-Jan-16 7:00P Chilliwack West Kelowna Royal LePage Place

TU 26-Jan-16 7:00P Trail West Kelowna Royal LePage Place

FR 29-Jan-16 7:00P West Kelowna Cowichan Valley Island Savings Centre

SA 30-Jan-16 7:15P West Kelowna Powell River Hap Parker Arena

SU 31-Jan-16 5:00P West Kelowna Chilliwack Prospera Centre

WE 03-Feb-16 7:00P West Kelowna Coquitlam Poirier Sports and Leisure Ctr

FR 05-Feb-16 7:30P West Kelowna Trail Cominco Arena

SA 06-Feb-16 7:30P West Kelowna Trail Cominco Arena

FR 12-Feb-16 7:00P West Kelowna Penticton South Okanagan Events Ctr

SA 13-Feb-16 7:00P Langley West Kelowna Royal LePage Place

TU 16-Feb-16 11:00A Vernon West Kelowna Royal LePage Place

WE 17-Feb-16 11:00A West Kelowna Vernon Kal Tire Place

FR 19-Feb-16 7:00P Vernon West Kelowna Royal LePage Place

FR 26-Feb-16 7:00P Salmon Arm West Kelowna Royal LePage Place

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Campus Events 2016

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World Community Film Festival 2016

The World Community Film Festival is BC’s largest documentary film

festival, featuring 30-35 films from around the world. The Festival

takes place in Kelowna each year in March (tentative dates for this

year are March 10-13th). OC’s Kelowna campus is the primary venue,

with select screenings held at the Ki low Na Friendship Centre and

UBCO. Film topics include environmental, social justice and human

rights issues.

Admission to films is FREE: Donations are accepted for the Ki-low-na

Friendship Centre and Inn from the Cold.

Check out our website for more information and for a preliminary 2016

film list: http://www.worldfilmfestkelowna.net/

For more information, or to volunteer with the festival, contact Marlo

Edwards at meedwards@okanangan.bc.ca

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Financial Aid, Awards, Bursaries & Scholarships

Aboriginal Students can access over $34,450 through Okanagan College and Okanagan

College Foundation awards, bursaries and scholarships. You too can access funding by

applying for Aboriginal awards! http://www.okanagan.bc.ca/Student_Services/students/aboriginal/awards.html

External Awards:

For awards available through other

organizations see

www.okanagan.bc.ca/financialaid.

You are also encouraged to visit our

Aboriginal Access and Services office to

browse through the announcements on

our bulletin board for new bursaries and

grants.

Government Student Assistance:

You may also wish to consider applying for

government student assistance. There are

many grants available through

StudentAidBC.

Visitwww.okanagan.bc.ca/financialaid and

click on Government Student Loans and

Grants for more information.

If you have any further questions, please

contact the Financial Aid office to book

an appointment to speak with one of our

staff, or email

financialaid@okanagan.bc.ca

To access a student budget sheet

https://studentaidbc.ca/sites/all/files/f

orm-library/budget_worksheet.pdf

Need help making a budget?

Contact your ATP!

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How to Contact Aboriginal Access & Services

OPEN 8:30 - 4:30 Monday – Friday. Staying late? Touch base with your ATP about access after hours

Anthony Isaac

Aboriginal Access and Services

Coordinator

Kelowna Campus

Tel: 250.762.5445 ext. 4322

Email: aisaac@okanagan.bc.ca

Gail Smith

Aboriginal Transitions Planner

Kelowna Campus

Tel: 250.762.5445 ext. 4682

Email: gsmith@okanagan.bc.ca

Marilyn Alexis

Aboriginal Transitions Planner &

Educational Advisor

Vernon Campus

Tel: 250.545.7291 ext. 2209

Email: malexis@okanagan.bc.ca

Marcy Trotter

Aboriginal Transitions Planner

Penticton Campus

Tel: 250.492.4305 ext. 3280

Email: mtrotter@okanagan.bc.ca

Caroline Chartier

Aboriginal Transitions Planner

Salmon Arm Campus

Tel: 250.832.2126 ext. 8275

Email: cchartier@okanagan.bc.ca

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