Bannock and Tea | Staff Social | September 3, 2024

July, 2024

Bailey Johnson, BEd’22, is Metis and a NITEP alum from the UBC Vancouver field centre

What attracted you to NITEP?

The decolonized curriculum, student-centred approach, and impressive array of professors and faculty that served as inspiration!

How has NITEP impacted Indigenous communities in British Columbia?

NITEP has helped bridge the gap between the school system and community. Rather than school being an institutionalized, industrialized space, NITEP allows schools to cater to the communities in which they serve and give all students relevant information and teachings that help them immerse themselves further in culture and community rather than pull them away from who they are and what they know. Having more Indigenous representation in high academics and learning spaces is both healing and inspiring to the next generation of Indigenous professionals.

How has your involvement with the NITEP program influenced you, or what are you currently engaged in?

NITEP not only changed the course of my professional and academic career, but it gave me a sense of confidence I wouldn’t have found otherwise in university. It helped me discover more about who I am as an Indigenous woman and my positionality in the world. I gained lifelong friendships and beautiful character-building opportunities that helped shape me into the educator I am today. Currently, I am a teacher online through the Northland Online School, which is based in Northern Alberta. Connecting to rural Indigenous communities and drawing on my experiences from NITEP has truly been a full-circle moment. I can see the transformation that happened to me during the NITEP program happen to my students. They feel smart and confident in who they are, validated and free to take up space in this world.

What advice would you give individuals contemplating participation in NITEP?

If you are even considering it, do it. Everyone finds their place in NITEP, and it has been the most rewarding thing I have done in my life to date. The support and community that carries you are the greatest factors for me. Imposter syndrome is inevitable at the beginning of anything new and it’s uncomfortable, but push through that initial fear factor and I promise you will be better for it.

How do you envision the future of Indigenous education?

I see Indigenous values being upheld and at the core of the curriculum in all schools. I see more representation of diverse nations and individuals taking up space not only in the teaching roles but also in higher executive roles. I think what we consider to be education needs to be dismantled and rebuilt to suit and cater to all identities – what information we value and prioritize, the environments in which we learn, how we learn, and who is prioritized in sharing that knowledge. When the individual experience/culture is prioritized, inevitably, everything must shift.

Please share a favourite memory from your time in the program.

NITEP helped me become more involved in the longhouse community. My favourite part of NITEP was coming to the Longhouse or the collegia and working and socializing in that space. I involved myself in activities as much as I could, from the yoga classes to beading circles. The curation and fostering of those spaces transform an otherwise big institution into a smaller, like-minded community of supportive and lovely people.

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.

Visit the Celebrating 50 Years of NITEP page.

July 2024

DeDe DeRose, BEd’81, MEd’93, is Esketemc, a NITEP alum from the Williams Lake field centre, and Chancellor, Thompson Rivers University

What attracted you to NITEP?

I was attracted to the program because it was designed for Indigenous learners and offered the first two years in my home community.

How has NITEP impacted Indigenous communities in British Columbia?

NITEP has made a positive impact in communities where NITEP graduates were hired – Indigenous and non-Indigenous, rural and urban, north, south, east and west. The unique program was the first one where educators were prepared to teach the history, language and culture to Indigenous and non-Indigenous learners. It was the beginning of the change to improve educational outcomes for Indigenous learners.

How has your involvement with the NITEP program influenced you, or what are you currently engaged in?

I was the 28th graduate from NITEP and have remained close friends with all of my cohorts – our relationship is like they are my siblings. The Program prepared me to face the many challenges I had in my career as a teacher, administrator, coordinator, director, superintendent and now Chancellor.

How do you envision the future of Indigenous education?

By using the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action as I guide and consulting Indigenous peoples, I believe the future of Indigenous education will continue to improve.

Please share a favourite memory from your time in the program.

My favourite memories of my time in NITEP as a student was the time we spent in the hut, laughing, sharing food and supporting each other through the challenges of the university life. My favourite memory of the program as an educator is when I MCed the 40th Anniversary Celebration and saw so many Indigenous NITEP grads return to celebrate. I also enjoyed touching base with NITEP grads when I travelled throughout British Columbia as the Superintendent of Aboriginal Achievement. It was heart warming to see, first hand, the outstanding contributions NITEP grads were making in education.

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.

Visit the Celebrating 50 Years of NITEP page.