NIC To Launch Indigenous Speaker Series

North Island College is set to go with its Indigenous Speaker Series later this month.

Organized by NIC's Office of Indigenous Education and Office of Global Engagement, the series brings together NIC staff, faculty, students and broader communities.

Chief Janice George is a Squamish Nation hereditary chief, museum curator, artist — and has been named the Series’ opening speaker.

Her talk takes place at Q̓ə pix ʔidaʔas Gathering Place at the Campbell River campus, Thursday, November 28th from from 6 to 8 p.m.

“The Indigenous Speakers Series is an integral part of our Journeying Together plan, which intentionally weaves Indigenization and internationalization together in a collective commitment to becoming a truly Indigenous-serving institution,” said Kelly Shopland, NIC executive director of Indigenous Education.

For the opening talk, Chief George will speak about returning to her roots to reinvigorate weaving into the daily lives of Squamish families and communities, and how she has incorporated weaving into claiming territory, telling histories of the community’s contributions to Kumkumlay (Vancouver).

“My life’s work has been in culture with Squamish Nation, as well as post-secondary education museum studies and art,” she said in a speaker’s note for the talk, adding that she considers teachings and history from her elders and ancestors of the highest importance and that the success of one Indigenous person benefits all Indigenous people.

Since age 18, George has interviewed, recorded and learned her most honoured teachings from the Squamish Nation Elders.

She is an educator and museum curator, including work as co-curator and co-designer of the Squamish and Lil’wat Cultural Centre in Whistler and the new Vancouver Art Gallery.

For more information on the series, visit NIC.

To reserve a seat for George’s talk, RSVP online.