May 28, 2010
Aboriginal Gathering Place Opens at Kwantlen

SURREY - A new gathering place at Kwantlen Polytechnic University opened today, giving Aboriginal students a space where they can feel supported during their studies and share experiences as a community, ultimately helping them to complete their education.

"This is a great day for Kwantlen and the First Nations community. As a Kwantlen alum, I know the amount of time students spend studying and socializing on this campus and the addition of this gathering place will make it more inclusive," said Surrey-Panorama MLA Stephanie Cadieux. "The new facility means a safe and positive environment for all students, adding to their post-secondary experience."

The Province invested $600,000 in the gathering place, which was designed to reflect the cultural characteristics of the Aboriginal students who will use it, and features artwork provided by Aboriginal artists from the university's four local bands. The official opening of the Aboriginal Gathering Place was attended by representatives from government and Kwantlen, along with chiefs from the Kwantlen, Katzie, Semiahmoo and Tsawwassen First Nations and the community.

"Our government is committed to improving the educational experiences of Aboriginal students," said Advanced Education and Labour Market Development Minister Moira Stilwell. "Gathering places like this one encourage Aboriginal students to start, stay in and succeed in higher learning, and ensure all British Columbians have access to advanced education and training."

The gathering place was designed by Vancouver-based firm Public: Architecture + Communication Inc. and recently won the 2010 Architectural Institute of BC Innovation Award and was one of six winners of the 2010 Wood WORKS! BC Wood Design Awards in interior beauty design category. The welcoming space - appropriately named Xthum, the Coast Salish word for basket and drum - is enclosed by a basket-like weave of materials that define it, and opens onto a forest, central courtyard and pond.

Located within Kwantlen's Surrey campus, the 110-square-metre Aboriginal gathering place will be open for use by students as a gathering place and work space equipped with computer stations. As well, there will be orientation and elder-in-residence programs, along with student support in the form of tutoring and advising programs.

"I've enjoyed my time here and all the support that I've received," said Roxanne Charles, a second-year fine arts student at Kwantlen. "I hope that the gathering place will give students the opportunity to network with one another and bring in guest speakers with traditional teaching."

In the past year, more than 470 Aboriginal learners chose Kwantlen for their studies - more than double the 221 who attended the university five years ago. Since 2003, B.C.'s public post-secondary institutions have seen a 26 per cent increase in students who identify themselves as Aboriginal.

"It is an absolutely wonderful place, expressing as it does the heritage and culture of all First Nations people," said David Atkinson, president and vice chancellor at Kwantlen.

The Province is investing $13.6 million to create gathering places that reflect Aboriginal culture at public, post-secondary institutions. Gathering places like this Aboriginal student centre promote and preserve Aboriginal culture and history and are a resource for the community and students. They are designed to enhance support services for the growing number of Aboriginal students on campuses all over B.C.

Improving quality and choice in education is a key pillar of the Province's Pacific Leadership Agenda. The gathering places' funding also supports the government's commitments through the Transformative Change Accord and the Métis Nation Relationship Accord to close the gaps in education, health, housing and economic opportunities that separate Aboriginal British Columbians from other residents.

-30-