Class is in session for community students at Doig River First Nation

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — The bell rings and it’s back to school for some members of a northeastern B.C. Indigenous community.

Doig River First Nation (DRFN) has enrolled its first class of students in the community’s College and Career Prep program, launched in partnership with Northern Lights College (NLC).

According to DRFN education manager Sharon MacDonald, the initiative launched in January and will initially run for three years.  

She adds the program has a capacity for 17 students.  Currently, 10 students are at DRFN’s new Cultural Experience Centre four days a week.

The building on DRFN grounds features two classrooms and a computer lab.

“The idea came from chief and council, which led to collaboration with NLC,” said MacDonald. “[Their vision] was students going to class from September to June every year.

“There are several members from our Nation who didn’t complete their high school education for one reason or another. Some did not have the best experience in school, so we thought ‘let’s bring the school here.’”

Classes are currently held from Monday to Thursday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., instructed by Anita Houle.

Houle is currently the equity, diversity and inclusion manager at NLC. 

Subjects include mathematics, English and computers. The program allows students to work at their own pace with the assistance of Houle.

“It’s really amazing to see the students so engaged,” said MacDonald. “They’re basically taking charge.”

Eventually, DRFN will host career cruising seminars for the students, where an instructor will provide support in asking students questions in order to discover potential careers.

MacDonald says the end goal is to allow DRFN to hire nation members for job opportunities, which would strengthen the community’s workforce.

The  College and Career prep program is open to DRFN members only. Further details about DRFN’s College and Career Prep program can be found by contacting MacDonald at (250) 827-3776 ext. 1371.