Contact us
Aboriginal Education & Community Connections
Office locations and hours
Lansdowne Campus
Monday–Thursday, 8:30am–4:30pm
Friday, 8:30am–noon
Ewing Building, Room 272
Tel: 250-370-3299
Fax: 250-370-3291
aboriginal@camosun.bc.ca
Interurban Campus
Wednesdays, 8:30am–4:30pm
Campus Centre Building, Room 233
Tel: 250-370-4870
Staff
- Suzanne (Bate) Wilkinson, Aboriginal Advisor
- Faye Martin, Aboriginal Advisor
- Marcey Louie, Community Liaison
- Ruth Lyall, Faculty
- Sandee Mitchell, Faculty
- Michele Mundy, Faculty
- Todd Ormiston Faculty
- Corrine Michel, ASP, Indigenization Coordinator
- Doreen Provencher, Assistant to the Director
- Janice Simcoe, Chair
- John Boraas, Director
- Aboriginal Advisory Council
Aboriginal Advisors
Suzanne (Bate) Wilkinson, Aboriginal Advisor
Cree
Tel: 250–370–3659 Lansdowne Campus
or 250–370–4870 Interurban Campus
wilkinsonS@camosun.bc.ca
Hi, I'm Suzanne and I'm Woodlands Cree from Edmonton, Alberta. I returned to school in 1994 because it was the only way I knew how to find out more about my culture as I was adopted into a non-Native family at birth. Since then I've learned much about who I am, where I come from and where I want to go. It's an ongoing journey of learning, and one I'll do my whole life. I returned to school after being out for a number of years, and I remember feeling scared and intimidated by the school and other students. However, my advisors were wonderful and helped me make the most of my journey. Today, I love working with people to help them find their own success! My job is to help students and potential students make informed decisions about their goals.
Every journey, be it large or small, begins with one step. I invite you to come in and see how that first step unfolds!
Suzanne
Faye Martin, Aboriginal Advisor
Gitxsan
Tel: 250-370-3692
or 250-544-2192 Saanich Adult Education Centre
martin@camosun.bc.ca
Greetings! I am Giskaast from the House of Dawa Muux in Gitxsan territory. I thank the Coast Salish people for allowing me to live and work on their land. I have worked at various positions at Camosun College for nearly 20 years. When I started working in First Nations Education, I was an Instructional Assistant at the Friendship Centre. Then I became an Advisor in First Nations Education and Services. I have the pleasure of advising at the Saanich Adult Education Centre and Songhees Employment and Learning Centre as well as working with students at Lansdowne Campus.
I am always inspired by the depth of knowledge and wisdom that students bring to Camosun College.
Drop by and say hello - Faye
Community Liaison
Marcey Louie, Community Liaison
Nuu-chah-nulth (Ahousaht)
Tel: 250-370-3341
louiem@camosun.bc.ca
My name is Marcey and I am Nuu-chah-nulth from the Ahousaht Nation. I was born in Port Alberni and am a long-time visitor in the beautiful territories of the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations. I have family connections in both Salish and Kwakwaka'wakw Nations.
I have worked in many areas of community service and education. My formal education began at Camosun years ago, and I completed a degree in Psychology at the University of Victoria in 1994. After working in community for years, I returned to Camosun as a temporary advisor, and term instructor for the First Nations Resident Care Attendant Program (now Indigenous Health Care Assistant). I am now the Community Liaison, and I feel privileged to travel to and be welcomed into communities from across the south island including the Gulf Islands.
Kleco, Kleco.
Faculty
Ruth Lyall, Instructor
Kwakwaka’wakw
Tel: 250–370–3132
lyallr@camosun.bc.ca
Gilak’asla! My English name is Ruth Lyall. My Indigenous ancestry comes through my mother, the late Louisa Lyall, who was born into the Musgamaw Dzawada’enuxw villages of the Kwakwaka’wakw Nation.
I graduated from the First Nations Family Support Worker Program (now Indigenous Family Support) at Camosun College in 1997. Since then, I have completed my Bachelor's and Master’s degrees in Social Work at the University of Victoria. I have been working in the area of Indigenous education, in various capacities, since 1996. I am currently working instructing within the Indigenous Studies and Indigenous Family Support Programs.
I love the work that I do and I am so honored to walk with students along their journey. I hope you will come visit with us!
Ruth
Sandee Mitchell, Instructor/Research and Development
Algonquin (Eagle Village)
Tel: 250–370–3124
mitchell@camosun.bc.ca
Kwe Kwe. My name is Sandee Mitchell, I am Anisnawbe from the Algonquin and Ojibway people. I grew up in North Bay Ontario and moved to this territory in 1986. I am honored to work and live in Coast Salish territory.
I have come full circle at Camosun College. I started upgrading here in 1991 at the ABE 040 level. I did three years of studies here and went on to the University of Victoria to complete a degree in Social Work. After graduating, I started working here at the college as an advisor and now I am teaching within the Indigenous Studies program.
Our department is a warm and supportive place and I encourage you to come by, visit and access the many valuable services that we offer here.
In Good Spirit, Sandee
Michele Mundy, Instructor
Tel: 250–370–3489
or
250-544-2192 Saanich Adult Education Centre
mundym@camosun.bc.ca
Todd Ormiston, Instructor/Research and Development
Tutchone/Tlingit
Tel: 250–370–3111
ormiston@camosun.bc.ca
Hi! My name is Todd Ormiston and I am Tutchone/Tlinget. I have a Bachelor's degree in Social Work and a Masters in Public Administration. I'm working on my Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Policy at the University of British Columbia. Much of my work over the past years has been spent with young people in conflict with the law. I teach in the Indigenous Studies program at Camosun College. I believe that we are all teachers and we are all learners.
I look forward to meeting you. Drop by and have a chat!
Todd
Aboriginal Special Projects
Corrine Michel, Indigenization Coordinator
Secwepemc Nation
Tel: 250-370-3351
michel@camosun.bc.ca
Hi, I’m Corrine and I’m Secwepmec from Williams Lake, BC. I have a Bachelor’s degree in Education and a Master of Arts degree in Environmental Education. I taught high school with the First Nations Education Department in the Greater Victoria School District for 10 years. Now I work with teachers, service staff, and students to make Camosun College a welcoming place for all students through a project called “Indigenization”. That’s a fancy way of saying our ways of knowing, being, and seeing the world are important and need to be reflected in all that we do in the classroom, in student services, through employee education, and in our policies and strategic planning.
I am excited that you are checking out our website and I encourage you to come in and say hello. You are always welcome here. You are the reason we are here!
Take good care, Corrine
Assistant to the Director
Doreen Provencher, Assistant to the Director
Nuu-chah-nulth (Tla-O-Qui-Aht)
Tel: 250-370-3125
Fax: 250-370-3291
provencherd@camosun.bc.ca
Greetings! I’m from the Tla-O-Qui-Aht Nation here on Vancouver Island. I have been a visitor to the Coast Salish territory for a number of years. I am the mother of two amazing children. I am also a graduate of the Business Administration Diploma program at Camosun College. Upon completion of this program, I went on to work in Aboriginal off-reserve housing for a number of years, then I moved on to work at the University of Victoria Law School. I am honoured to be part of the AECC Department.
Come on in for a visit!
Cuu!
Department Chair
Janice Simcoe, Chair
Anishinabe (Mnjikaning)
Tel: 250–370–3163
simcoe@camosun.bc.ca
Hi. I'm Janice and I come from the Chippewas of Mnjikaning in Ontario. My grandmother's line is the Yellowhead family; my grandfather's line is the Windigo family. I've been out here, visiting on Coast Salish territories for a long time. My formal education is from the University of Victoria, in Canadian History, with an emphasis on Aboriginal/non-Aboriginal relations, and I've recently completed a Master's degree in Leadership at Royal Roads University. I've been working at Camosun College since 1991 and have been able walk with many Aboriginal people as they found their way in education. I'm still amazed at the strength and beauty that students show. I am so privileged to be able to do this work.
I look forward to meeting you. Welcome.
Janice
Department Director
John Boraas, Director
Tel: 250–370–3295
or
250–370–3297
boraas@camosun.bc.ca
Greetings and welcome to Camosun College. The Aboriginal Education & Community Connections Department (AECC) provides academic advising, student services referral, educational liaison with Bands, and opportunities to link culturally with Aboriginal ancestry. As your journeys begin, I have every confidence that the AECC Department will give you encouragement and recognition for the courage and dedication you will need on your educational path. Good luck.
John Boraas
Aboriginal Advisory Council
The community-based Aboriginal Advisory Council provides direction to the President regarding Indigenous programming, partnership, and services at Camosun College. The Council meets five times a year. All Aboriginal programs must be vetted through the Council.
Membership includes:
- Nella Nelson, Council Chair, First Nations Education, School District 61
- Nora Antoine, Education Worker, Esquimalt First Nation
- Kari Comeau, Director, Career, Employment & Education, Victoria Native Friendship Centre
- Marie Cooper, Elder, Tsartlip Nation
- Linda Gladstone, Post-Secondary Advisor, Saanich Adult Education Centre, Saanich Indian School Board
- Fran Hunt-Jinnouchi, Director, Office of Indigenous Affairs, University of Victoria
- Roger John, Indigenous Student Services, University of Victoria
- Kelly Johnsen, Counsellor, Post-Secondary Education, Nuu Chah Nulth Tribal Council
- Leslie McGarry, Director, Culture and Community Relations, Victoria Native Friendship Centre
- Kendra Underwood, Acting Director, Saanich Adult Education Centre, WS'ANEC' School Board (formerly Saanich Indian School Board)
- Student, Camosun College Aboriginal Student Association
- Student, First Nations Director, Camosun College Student Society
- Open, Education Liaison Coordinator, Songhees First Nation
If you wish to speak with an Aboriginal Advisory Council member, or if you would like to be on the agenda of an Aboriginal Advisory Council meeting, please contact the Aboriginal Education Secretary at 250–370–3299.