We Quaw - Let's go learn

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In the Thompson dialect of the Shuswap language, the words we quaw can be roughly translated as "let's go learn."

For the staff and students of the Nicola Valley Institute of Technology, the phrase (in either language) is an indication of how far the school has come in the quest to provide high-quality post-secondary education that serves the specific needs of First Nation members. Thompson language classes are just one way the school satisfies these needs. It's an important indication that Aboriginal people are prepared to arm themselves with an advanced education but they aren't prepared to leave their traditions behind.

Gary Merkel, the chair of the institute's board of governors, sees something special happening on his school's campus.

"NVIT is a dream in the making that I have had the honor of being involved with for over 10 years," he wrote in this year's program calendar. "Even more of an honor when I see NVIT's critical role in building the people needed to help us achieve our own dreams in First Nations communities."

NVIT is a fully-accredited, independent member of the province's public post-secondary education system with authority, under the British Columbia College and Institute Act, to grant its own certificates, diplomas and associate degrees.

The course offerings at the school are geared to specific needs in First Nations: social work to addictions counselling to natural resource development to economic development.

Merkel said the development of such an institution has been a struggle at times but it's proving to be worth it.

"We continually face the challenges of pushing the education system beyond its current limits and building and operating a culturally appropriate First Nations post-secondary institute. We are often in a fish bowl with many critics. However, we have proven that if we stick to our dreams we can make a difference in our home communities."