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FREDERICTON – New Brunswick Community College (ÍõÖÐÍõÁùºÏ²ÊÌØÂë) officially launched its Indigenous Learning and Engagement Initiative today, taking the first steps on a new path towards reconciliation.

The Indigenous Learning and Engagement Initiative will increase opportunities for students and staff to learn from and about Indigenous culture and history. The launch occurred at ÍõÖÐÍõÁùºÏ²ÊÌØÂë Fredericton’s graduation ceremony, where Indigenous leaders walked into the Richard J. Currie Centre alongside ÍõÖÐÍõÁùºÏ²ÊÌØÂë officials, and coincides with National Indigenous Peoples Day on Thursday, June 21.

“We offer an open invitation to the Indigenous peoples of this land to walk with us, to share with us what they would have us know and to guide us all as we find our way back to right relationships,” said ÍõÖÐÍõÁùºÏ²ÊÌØÂë President and CEO Marilyn Luscombe.

“As an institution, we recognize that we must renew our relationships with the Indigenous peoples of this land to foster a greater understanding among students, staff and the ÍõÖÐÍõÁùºÏ²ÊÌØÂë Board of Governors, and the successful participation of Indigenous students and partners in ÍõÖÐÍõÁùºÏ²ÊÌØÂë’s learning activities.”

As part of the Indigenous Learning and Engagement Initiative, ÍõÖÐÍõÁùºÏ²ÊÌØÂë has hired its first Director of Indigenous Learning and Engagement. The director’s mandate is to guide ÍõÖÐÍõÁùºÏ²ÊÌØÂë in fulfilling commitments in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Call to Action; engage Indigenous communities in authentic partnerships with ÍõÖÐÍõÁùºÏ²ÊÌØÂë; and develop learning outcomes and activities for ÍõÖÐÍõÁùºÏ²ÊÌØÂë students and staff.

“I invite all staff and students to join us on this journey towards reconciliation,” said Luscombe.

ÍõÖÐÍõÁùºÏ²ÊÌØÂë Indigenous Student Advisor Charlie Nicholas and ÍõÖÐÍõÁùºÏ²ÊÌØÂë Information Technology student Jeremiah Palmater perform a Mi’kmaq honour song as ÍõÖÐÍõÁùºÏ²ÊÌØÂë President and CEO Marilyn Luscombe and ÍõÖÐÍõÁùºÏ²ÊÌØÂë Board of Governors Chair L. Paul Elliott present friendship gifts to Indigenous leaders. ÍõÖÐÍõÁùºÏ²ÊÌØÂë launched its Indigenous Learning and Engagement Initiative during graduation festivities for the Fredericton campus today.

With over 90 programs and six campuses across New Brunswick, New Brunswick Community College (ÍõÖÐÍõÁùºÏ²ÊÌØÂë) is a provincially recognized post-secondary institution renowned for producing skilled, knowledgeable college graduates. ÍõÖÐÍõÁùºÏ²ÊÌØÂë offers students full-time concentrated study periods in one- and two-year certificate and diploma programs. For more information, visit: .

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Media inquiries: 
Tanya Greer
Communications Coordinator, ÍõÖÐÍõÁùºÏ²ÊÌØÂë

Phone: 506.453.8194                            
Email: Tanya.greer@nbcc.ca