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FREDERICTON – New Brunswick Community College (ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½) 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 ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ Fredericton’s graduation ceremony, where Indigenous leaders walked into the Richard J. Currie Centre alongside ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ 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 ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ 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 ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ Board of Governors, and the successful participation of Indigenous students and partners in ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½’s learning activities.”

As part of the Indigenous Learning and Engagement Initiative, ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ has hired its first Director of Indigenous Learning and Engagement. The director’s mandate is to guide ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ in fulfilling commitments in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Call to Action; engage Indigenous communities in authentic partnerships with ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½; and develop learning outcomes and activities for ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ students and staff.

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

ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ Indigenous Student Advisor Charlie Nicholas and ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ Information Technology student Jeremiah Palmater perform a Mi’kmaq honour song as ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ President and CEO Marilyn Luscombe and ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ Board of Governors Chair L. Paul Elliott present friendship gifts to Indigenous leaders. ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ 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 (ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½) is a provincially recognized post-secondary institution renowned for producing skilled, knowledgeable college graduates. ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ 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, ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½

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