Indigenous institute comes highly recommended

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Situated a block away from Vancouver's waterfront, the Institute of Indigenous Government offers a one-year certificate or a two-year Associate of Arts Degree in Indigenous government studies. It is touted as Canada's first autonomous Indigenous-controlled public post-secondary institute because of its ability to create its own courses and its board that is comprised of First Nations people.

The institute relies on board members for ideas on what the community needs in regard to training in self government and self-determination. Courses at the institute are university transferable. The Elders foundation of North America studies offered focuses on traditional living, philosophy, culture and practices. The History of Colonization and Indigenous Resistance course looks at five centuries of European colonization and its effects on the lives of Indigenous people.

A 200-level course on decolonization and self-determination and Indigenous rights and the processes of individual, community and nation empowerment can also be taken at the institute, as well as courses on Indigenous political development and a leadership course that focuses on subjects important to the development of Aboriginal leadership including political science, history, law, justice, women's issues and racism. The institute has full campus amenities for the students.

"We have what you would see in a regular college, except for dorms. We have a full resource library, classroom spaces, a students lounge, and the administration department," said Jennie Blankinship, student services coordinator. "We have dynamic instructors here who have experience in the First Nations communities."

To date, approximately 105 students have received the one-year certificate or the degree in Indigenous Government Studies.

Raymond (Rocky) Wilson, who graduated from the institute last year with an Associate of Arts degree is now attending the University of British Columbia in Vancouver. Born in Vancouver in 1948, Wilson lived his entire life in the village of Canoe Pass, which is located more than 50 kilometres southwest of Vancouver. Currently the chief of the Hwlitsum First Nation, the courses from the institute are serving him well.

"As an elected chief, I would encourage bands across Canada to encourage their members, not just their youth but also the others as well, to have an opportunity to attend an institute like the Institute of Indigenous Government," said Wilson. "I think that education is the key. This institute will give them a better sense of their identity as First Nations people. Identity is so critical. They would get the groundwork here. It is critically important that Aboriginal people get grounded in education. In a heart beat, I would recommend this program."

Before attending the institute Wilson was a full-time commercial fisherman.

"I guess we could say that it's helped me in my role as chief because I've had an opportunity to witness the systems of other villages along the coast of B.C.," said Wilson. "I've been up and down the coast and into most of the remote villages and had the opportunity to see how other First Nations villages operate."

Wilson graduated from the Delta secondary school in Ladner in 1967 and attended the Pacific Marine Training Institute in 1989. He obtained a number of tickets at the institute as well as a Fishing Master 2, a ticket that allows him to operate any vessel, any size, anywhere in the world. Wilson was elected chief of his community while still attending the Indigenous institute.

"There were two things that made me want to get into politics while I was fishing. One was the decline of the fishing industry on the pacific coast," said Wilson. "The other is my thirst for knowledge of Aboriginal issues which has always been an obsession of mine," he said.

Being a father to three children, Wilson believes that he is a role model to his children.

"I love my children more than anythng in the world. I feel like I'm a role model for them. They realize what I'm passing on to them, which is the importance of education. They are very supportive of what I'm doing," said Wilson.

His current activities include taking part in the Chief's Council of the Union of B.C Indian Chiefs, a political lobby group that is affiliated with the Assembly of First Nations.

"I'm proud to sit on the Chief's Council of the Union of B.C Indian Chiefs. I hold in the highest regard Chief Stewart Phillip, Arthur Manuel, Danny Wilson and the rest of the council, and, of course, my mentor, Millie Poplar," said Wilson. "My main objective is to stand for Aboriginal rights and titles for all First Nations peoples in Canada," he said.

"Rocky showed extreme leadership qualities. I would definitely say that he is a role model for Indigenous people," said Blankinship. "He is very persistent. He stuck with his goal and his aim and he knows the potential of our people. He brought the skills and the knowledge of what he?s learned in the two-year program at this institute and has applied it in his community."

As a student at the institute Wilson received the George Manuel Award, which is given to students with outstanding leadership qualities.