New VIU Aboriginal Construction Program to build Gathering Place on campus

Vancouver Island University (VIU) is offering a unique Aboriginal Construction Program. Starting in January 2009, this program will combine First Nations cultural components with Industry Training Authority Level 1 Carpentry - the first step to becoming a journeyman carpenter.  Learners will benefit from hands-on experience constructing VIU’s Aboriginal Gathering Place, a building that will be a centre for Aboriginal campus celebrations and Student Support Services.

“This is a program that’s going to appeal to Aboriginal students from our coastal communities,” said Fred MacDonald, Dean of Trades & Technology.

Dan Lines, the Associate Dean of Trades & Technology and Chair of the Aboriginal Construction Steering Committee, said the program is designed to give students credit towards their apprenticeship and teach them traditional building techniques.  “It’s an opportune time to deliver a program that will give our aboriginal communities trained people who will be able to work in their communities on their housing projects and be able to work in the general community as well.”

The program is being developed in consultation with coastal First Nations’ communities. The aboriginal building pieces are currently being worked out, said MacDonald. “It’s going to include the history and origins of First Nations construction techniques in our coastal regions. We’re involving elders and First Nations community leaders to assist us.”

MacDonald said the Gathering Place will be a platform for traditional techniques to be married with modern green building techniques. VIU’s new Green Building & Renewable Energy Technician Diploma Program will use the building as a field site and advise the construction program on green building techniques.

“It’s generating a lot of excitement,” he said. “We want to build something that incorporates the traditional methods, but also stands up to today’s energy and sustainability challenges.”

VIU is working with First Nations communities to select students and get the 10-month program up and running.  Preference will be given to students with a Vancouver Island First Nations heritage. Documentation may be requested. Other Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal students will be considered if space remains available. There are only 18 spaces available in the program, so learners interested in enrolling should contact VIU as soon as possible to ensure that their prerequisites are complete for the January start date.

For more information on the Aboriginal Construction Program, contact First Nations Student Services at 250-740-6510 or Dan Lines at 250-740-6146 or dan.lines@viu.ca.