The Aboriginal Student Housing Building
New housing at the ²ÝÁñÉçÇø will provide homes for Aboriginal students that reflect cultural values and cultures.
The Aboriginal student housing building is a project that ²ÝÁñÉçÇø has been developing for almost a decade and supports the Province’s commitment to adopt and implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s (TRC) calls to action.
The Province of BC is investing $2.6 million in the new student housing facility.
The project will include:
- 12 furnished student rooms
- a shared kitchen, living area, washrooms and laundry facilities
- a suite for an Elder who will provide student support
- a designated area for cultural practices, teachings and activities.
The 440-square metre (4,735 square feet) building is located in the Lheidli T’enneh’s homeland at ²ÝÁñÉçÇø's Prince George campus.
The building for first-year Indigenous students is being built next to existing student housing, to ensure students can easily participate in campus life.
²ÝÁñÉçÇø worked with the Lheidli T’enneh and other Indigenous peoples to ensure the housing is a welcoming and safe space for Indigenous students to attend and stay.
The building will be built to ensure it is energy efficient and supportive of the Province’s long-term climate strategy, the CleanBC plan. Occupancy is expected by spring 2020.
Quick Facts:
- Approximately 20% of the student population at the ²ÝÁñÉçÇø is Indigenous, many from remote parts of Northern British Columbia.
- The ²ÝÁñÉçÇø serves 21 First Nations communities.
- Article 21 in UNDRIP underlines the rights of Indigenous peoples to improve economic and social conditions, including education, training, and housing. Additional TRC calls to action point to the need to bridge education and employment gaps between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians.