Great-West Life and London Life donate $50,000 toward VIU Aboriginal centre

Corporate contributions are playing a key role in the creation of Shq’apthut: A Gathering Place, the new Aboriginal Centre on Vancouver Island University’s Nanaimo campus.

The latest donation towards the $3.6-million, 5,000-square-foot structure comes from Great-West Life and London Life, through its national corporate citizenship program. Company representative Graham Calder presented a $50,000 cheque to VIU.

VIU President and Vice-Chancellor Ralph Nilson praised Great-West Life and London Life for the generous contribution, saying the donation helps to VIU provide a cultural home away from home for First Nation students with diverse academic, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds.

“We deeply appreciate the support of companies such as Great-West and London Life,” said Nilson. “The Gathering Place will foster understanding, appreciation and respect for First Nations heritage not only among Aboriginal students but throughout the university community and beyond.”

“We’re delighted to be part of this unique meeting place that serves as a great resource for First Nations students as well as the larger community,” said Reid McGruer, Regional Director, Freedom 55 Financial, a division of London Life Insurance Company. “As an Imagine Caring Company and in our efforts to build stronger communities, we support inclusive educational opportunities for all Canadians.”

The First Nations community represents one of the youngest and fastest growing segments of the population, and increasingly will make up a larger portion of the total BC workforce in years to come.

In recognition of the contribution from Great-West Life and London Life, Hobenshield said the path alongside Shq’apthut will be named after the companies.

Phase one of the building was completed last summer, including a student lounge, elders lounge, and office space for VIU’s Aboriginal Student Services department.

Although an official opening of the new building will take place in April, staff moved into new office space in December and absolutely love it, said Hobenshield. “The student lounge is also proving to be a popular meeting place for students.”

The design and construction of Shq’apthut meets the rigorous gold standard for LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design). Students in VIU’s first Aboriginal Construction Program gained important hands-on experience by helping lay the foundation and assisting with the installation of the support beams for the distinctive building.

The bright, open building concept was designed by Aboriginal architect Alfred Waugh to resemble a traditional Coast Salish longhouse.

Waugh describes Shq’apthut as a holistic integration of sustainable strategies. The green roof, made possible thanks to a $25,000 donation from the VIU Student Union, reduces storm water runoff and reduces energy demands for cooling and heating. Rainwater collected from the roof in a retention pond is part of a filtration system that permits reuse of grey water to flush toilets and irrigate landscaping.

Julie Keenan, development manager for the VIU Foundation, said the contribution by Great-West and London Life pushes community donations to more than $500,000. Keenan added that more than $26,000 has been raised by internal fundraising efforts at VIU, such as soup and bannock sales by the First Nations Student Services department and a gala reception dinner and auction held last spring.

Keenan said fundraising efforts will continue to raise an additional $1.8-million for phase two, which will include landscaping and a ceremonial hall.

For more information on Shq’apthut: A Gathering Place, to see the plans or to make a donation, please visit viu.ca/gatheringplace or contact Vancouver Island University Foundation, 250-740-6212, foundation@viu.ca.