Honouring a Legacy of Indigenous Education
Founded in 1974, the UBC Faculty of Education’s Indigenous Teacher Education Program—formerly named the Native Indian Teacher Education Program (NITEP)—has been instrumental in shaping Indigenous education and is committed to increasing the number of Indigenous educators provincially and nationally. By late fall 2024, NITEP will have proudly graduated 500 Indigenous educators, a milestone that underscores the program’s enduring success in cultivating leaders who are equipped to inspire and uplift their communities and beyond.
NITEP facilitates access to credentialed teacher education for people of Indigenous ancestry by offering a significant portion of its curriculum through regional field centres across the British Columbia. Most teacher candidates begin the program at an off-campus site for their first two to three years before transitioning to a 12-month on-campus program. The program ensures that Indigenous cultures, values, knowledge and languages are vibrant and meaningful parts of the curriculum, successfully demonstrating how Indigenous culture can be integrated within a mainstream post-secondary institution and professional training program.
Over the past 50 years, NITEP graduates have gone on to successful careers in education and beyond, with many pursuing advanced degrees. NITEP alumni are celebrated as role models and agents of change, significantly contributing to the growth of Indigenous education. As NITEP marks its 50th anniversary, it reflects on a proud legacy of cultural integration, community partnership, and educational excellence, poised for continued advancement and innovation.
NITEP Logo
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NITEP’s logo is based on a Northwest Coast of British Columbia legend and is found in one form or another in some Indigenous cultures. The legend tells of the time when the earth was in complete darkness. Raven flew through a hole in the sky and took the sun in his beak. He then brought it back through the hole to give light to the earth. The logo shows Raven with sun in his beak superimposed over a circle that represents a hole in the sky. The NITEP Advisory Committee (formerly the First Nations Education Council in February 1995) believed this logo would be a fitting symbol as NITEP hopes to bring the light of education to Indigenous children in a more effective way than the past. The logo was designed by Philip (Opie) Oppenheim, a Ntla’kapmx artist.
Field Centres
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Since its inception, NITEP has established centres in various locations across British Columbia, in addition to its base at the UBC Vancouver campus.
Each pin on this map represents a community where NITEP has rooted its educational philosophy, tailored to embrace and uplift local Indigenous cultures and identities. These field centres are not just educational hubs, but are vital links maintaining the connection between students and their home communities, ensuring that the program remains relevant and responsive to local needs.
The legacy of these centres is evident in graduates who have emerged as educational leaders and agents of change in their communities. As we look forward, NITEP continues to adapt and expand, preparing a new generation of educators equipped with the knowledge, skills, and cultural competencies to lead and inspire.
Stories
Photos
Leaders
Explore five decades of transformative leadership through the NITEP program, where each person has significantly shaped the landscape of Indigenous education. Their pioneering efforts in mentorship and educational advocacy continue to resonate, inspiring a new generation of educators.
Dr. Jo-ann Archibald
Dr. Jo-ann Archibald, OC, also known as Q’um Q’um Xiiem, is a distinguished Indigenous scholar from the Sto:lo First Nation in British Columbia. She also has St’at’imc ancestry. Throughout her eminent career, Dr. Archibald has tirelessly championed Indigenous education. As the supervisor for NITEP from 1985 to 1992, and director from 2011 to 2026, she was pivotal in nurturing the next generation of Indigenous educators. Her ongoing legacy of mentorship and advocacy continues to inspire and shape the future of Indigenous education.
Dr. Archibald earned her Bachelor of Education from UBC in 1972 and later obtained her Master’s and PhD degrees from Simon Fraser University. She served as Associate Dean for Indigenous Education at UBC, increasing Indigenous representation among students and faculty. At NITEP, she played a crucial role in fostering the development of future Indigenous educators. One of her enduring initiatives was establishing a formal relationship between UBC and the University of Auckland, highlighting her commitment to global Indigenous knowledge systems.
Central to Dr. Archibald’s legacy is her pioneering concept of Indigenous Storywork, a holistic pedagogy that integrates storytelling to transmit cultural wisdom and foster holistic learning. Her seminal work, Indigenous Storywork: Educating the Heart, Mind, Body, and Spirit, reflects her collaboration with Coast Salish Elders and storytellers to develop innovative educational approaches grounded in Indigenous traditions.
Dr. Archibald’s impact extends beyond academia. She has been instrumental in curriculum and program development, policy formulation, and research initiatives to revitalize Indigenous cultures and empower Indigenous communities. Her dedication to bridging cultural divides and promoting inclusive education has earned her widespread recognition and admiration, including being named an Officer of the Order of Canada. Her legacy continues to inspire educators and scholars, promoting a more equitable and inclusive future.
Dr. Jan Hare
Dr. Jan Hare, an Anishinaabe-kwe scholar and educator from the M’Chigeeng First Nation in northern Ontario, assumed the role of Dean of the UBC Faculty of Education in 2024 after serving as Dean pro tem since 2021. She is the first Indigenous person and the second woman to hold this esteemed position in the UBC Faculy of Education. Additionally, Dr. Hare is a Language and Literacy Education professor in the UBC Faculty of Education’s Department of Language and Literacy and holds a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Pedagogy. From 2016 to 2021, Dr. Hare served as the director of NITEP, playing a pivotal role in shaping Indigenous education and nurturing a legacy of mentorship.
Dr. Hare began her career in education as an elementary school teacher and holds a BASc in Child Studies from the University of Guelph (1988), a BEd from Nipissing University (1989), an MA in Educational Psychology from the University of Western Ontario (1996), and a PhD in Educational Studies from UBC (2001). Her commitment to honouring Indigenous ways of knowing and languages has been central to her academic journey, reflected in roles such as Associate Dean of Indigenous Education (2016-2022), Professor of Indigenous Education in Teacher Education (2014-2018), and Faculty Associate at the Institute for Gender, Race, Sexuality, and Social Justice (2013-2018), among other roles.
Dr. Hare is deeply committed to advancing equity, diversity, inclusion, and decolonization in education. Her research investigates how Indigenous knowledge systems can transform educational practices, and is anchored in robust Indigenous community engagement. She has a record of supporting Indigenous student success, including literacy learning in early learning contexts, pathways to post-secondary education for high school students, new models for Indigenous led-teacher education, and the advancement of Indigenous graduate students through mentorship and research. More recently, her work has focused on ways of evaluating Indigenous knowledges and pedagogies in online learning environments, as well as establishing transformative Indigenous-settler relations by applying innovative educational methodologies.
As a leading international Indigenous scholar, Dr. Hare actively shares her findings through not only journal articles and books, but also popular Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) and other community platforms, further underlining her dedication to educational innovation and the integration of Indigenous pedagogies in educational spheres.
Her contributions have earned her the 2015 Murray Elliott Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Teacher Education Program, and she was nominated for the YWCA’s 2017 Women of Distinction Award. Dr. Hare’s leadership continues to drive progress toward a more equitable educational landscape.
Verna Kirkness
Verna Jane Kirkness, OC, a member of the Fisher River Cree Nation in Manitoba, is widely regarded as one of Canada’s foremost Indigenous educators, dedicated to advancing Indigenous language, culture, and education. As Director of NITEP from 1981 to 1984 and an associate professor emeritus at UBC, her legacy inspires educators and policymakers alike.
Kirkness began her career with a teaching certificate from the Manitoba Normal School in 1959, later serving as a teacher and principal in First Nations schools. She emerged as a visionary leader, developing foundational policies like Wahbung: Our Tomorrows and Indian Control of Indian Education while serving as the education director for the Manitoba Indian Brotherhood and the National Indian Brotherhood.
As the first cross-cultural consultant for the Manitoba Department of Education Curriculum Branch, and Elementary School Supervisor with Frontier School Division, Kirkness was pivotal in integrating Cree and Ojibway languages into Manitoba schools. These policies have shaped Indigenous education in Canada for decades and continue to serve as foundational cornerstones, underscoring her lasting impact on the educational landscape.
At UBC, Kirkness revolutionized the NITEP curriculum by incorporating Indigenous languages and cultures and established the Ts’kel Graduate Program. She was instrumental in founding UBC’s First Nations House of Learning and constructing the First Nations Longhouse. Her autobiography, Creating Space, reflects her commitment to forging pathways for Indigenous students in higher education.
Kirkness’ numerous accolades include Canadian Educator of the Year, a National Aboriginal Achievement Award (now Indspire) for education, induction into the Order of Canada and the Order of Manitoba, the Queen’s Jubilee Medal, and six honorary doctorates, underscoring her extraordinary contributions to education.
Today, the Verna J. Kirkness Education Foundation addresses the under-representation of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit students in Canadian universities by offering scholarships to Indigenous secondary school students. Verna’s influence transcends UBC, inspiring a broader dialogue about equity in education across Canada.
Dr. Dustin Louie
Dr. Dustin Louie is a First Nations scholar from Nee Tahi Buhn and Nadleh Whut’en of the Dakelh Nation of central British Columbia. He is a member of the Beaver Clan. He currently serves as the Director of NITEP and an Associate Professor in UBC’s Department of Educational Studies. As Director, Dr. Louie oversees program development, student services, funding, and the cultivation of Indigenous community relationships. His efforts create pathways for Indigenous students to become impactful educators within their communities and beyond.
Dr. Louie’s teaching centres on Indigenous education, social justice, and educational philosophy. His research aims to decolonize education at provincial and local levels through partnerships with K-12 schools and districts to incorporate Indigenous pedagogies and critical theory. He supports school leaders, teachers, and administrators in integrating these practices into their work, thereby advancing the broader educational reform movement.
Dr. Louie holds a BA in Canadian history from the University of Calgary, an MA in Human Security and Peacebuilding from Royal Roads University, and a PhD in Educational Leadership from the University of Calgary, where he began his academic career as an Assistant Professor at the Werklund School of Education. His doctoral dissertation focused on Sexual Exploitation Prevention Education for Indigenous Girls. Before joining NITEP, Dr. Louie was a land claims law firm historian, researched Indigenous homelessness in Western Canada and collaborated with NGOs in Uganda and Australia.
Dr. Louie upholds the esteemed legacy of Indigenous scholars at NITEP, actively challenging colonial structures and promoting reconciliation and social justice in Canada. His work drives progress towards equity and empowerment for Indigenous peoples, significantly impacting academic discourse and practical applications in education.
Dr. Rod McCormick
Dr. Rod McCormick, a member of the Kanien’kehá:ka (Mohawk) Nation, currently serves as Senior Professor and BC Government Endowed Research Chair in Indigenous Health at Thompson Rivers University. Throughout his distinguished career in academia and community service, Dr. McCormick has made significant contributions to Indigenous health and education. Previously, he spent 18 years as a professor of counselling psychology at the University of British Columbia, where he also served as Director of NITEP from 1994 to 2000, instrumental in shaping the future of Indigenous educators.
Dr. McCormick’s academic journey includes earning a Bachelor of Arts from Carleton University (1980), a Bachelor of Education from Queen’s University (1981), a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology from the University of Victoria (1986), and a PhD in Counseling Psychology from the University of British Columbia (1994). His career has focused on community capacity building in mental health, reclaiming traditional healing practices, and improving educational outcomes for Indigenous communities. His extensive experience as a psychologist informs his research on Indigenous health, wellness, and culturally relevant educational practices.
Dr. McCormick has spearheaded numerous initiatives, including the British Columbia Aboriginal Capacity and Developmental Research Environments, the British Columbia Network Environments for Aboriginal Health Research, the National/International Indigenous mentorship network Ombaashi, and the All My Relations Centre at Thompson Rivers University. These efforts underscore his dedication to community-driven health and wellness projects.
His advocacy extends to providing clinical consultation for Aboriginal healing centers and collaborating with government departments like Health Canada. Dr. McCormick co-founded and led the National Aboriginal Health Research Steering Committee: Kawatsire, highlighting his commitment to advancing Indigenous health research capacity.
Dr. McCormick’s advocacy for inclusive systems for Indigenous peoples fosters cultural understanding and empowers Indigenous communities by valuing their knowledge and traditions.
Archives
Field Centre Updates
Winter 1985-86 Academic Year, Issue 5
Five Steps to Grad
Winter 82-83 Volume 2, Issue 1
Look Into Teaching/NITEP
Winter 1986-87 Issue 6
New Five-year Program
Winter 1985-86 Academic Year, Issue 5
40th Anniversary Accolades
Winter 2014, Issue 40
First Graduating Class, 1977
Book: NITEP, UBC’s Indigenous Teacher Education Program, Celebrating 40 Years, 2014
First NITEP Graduate Recieves MEd, 1976
Winter 1985-86 Academic Year, Issue 5
Students Present Internationally
Winter 1986-87 Issue 6
NITEP Launch Reflections
Winter 1987/88, Issue Seven
NITEP News, First Edition
Volume 1, Issue 1, Spring 1982
Ts”Kel Administration Program Origins
Winter 1988/89 Issue 8
