First Native women to chair board of College

The Northwest Community College (NWCC) has elected Irene Sequin to Chair their Board of Governors, marking this as the first time in the college's history that the post will be held by a First Nations person. Sequin is a Gitwinksihlkw resident and long time college supporter.
Sequin is a graduate of NWCC's First Nations Public Administration Program, and the education administrator, and housing services manager for the village of Gitwinksihlkw.
She said that her election as the first Aboriginal Chair would only strengthen what is already a college known for its high Aboriginal student numbers.
"The inclusion of First Nations board members, staff and professors at Northwest Community College is critical to creating a learning environment in which First Nations people will really be comfortable," said Sequin in a news release.
NWCC has helped improve access to Aboriginal students and is supportive of their journey.
"Irene is a highly respected mentor and Elder in her Nation and in the college community," said Stephanie Forsyth, president of NWCC.
The NWCC is involved in 14 different First Nations communities, operating closely with First Nation institutes such as Wilp Wilxo'oskwhl Nisga'a and Kitimat Valley Institute. NWCC has more First Nations and Métis students than any other post-secondary institution in the province.