left to right: Jan Hare, PhD’01, Dean pro tem, Amber Shilling, BA’06, PhD’20, Michael Murphy
The UBC Faculty of Education Indigenous Alumni Network (IAN) is an inclusive community that connects the UBC Faculty of Education Indigenous alumni to one another as well as the wider Faculty of Education community. Our mission is to nurture lifelong connections, empower personal and professional growth, and celebrate Indigenous cultures and achievements.
Alumni will maintain connection on the Faculty of Education’s dedicated alumni Facebook and LinkedIn groups, attend events, and contribute their voice to shaping the future of the Faculty of Education’s alumni communities. Together, we will honor the Faculty’s past, celebrate our present, and pave the way for a brighter future for Indigenous graduates and generations to come.
Network’s Guiding Principles
Provides a platform for Indigenous alumni to connect, share experiences, and build lasting relationships. Through a range of events and activities, the network will foster a sense of belonging and solidarity within the Indigenous community.
The IAN facilitates the exchange of knowledge, insights, and expertise among members. By sharing experiences and expertise, we uplift one another and contribute to the collective growth of Indigenous professionals.
Honors and celebrates Indigenous cultures, traditions, and achievements. The network serves as a space to share stories, art, language, and heritage, ensuring that the rich Indigenous legacies remain vibrant and valued.
Offers opportunities for continuous learning and skill enhancement. Through workshops, seminars, and networking events, members will be equipped with tools to excel in their chosen fields while maintaining cultural integrity.
By participating in a wide range of programs and initiatives, alumni have the chance to give back to the Faculty and the wider Indigenous community, extending beyond alumni to include students, faculty, and community partners.
Draft Terms of Reference
Download
Upcoming programs and events
March 14, 2024: IAN Launch
Join us on March 14th for an insightful and empowering Indigenous alumni event at the Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art. We aim to foster dialogue and reflection on the pervasive “hustle culture” within professional environments. This gathering will feature a dynamic speaker panel comprising of Indigenous professionals who will share their experiences, insights, and strategies for navigating and challenging hustle culture while maintaining balance and well-being. Learn more here.
Past events
December 1, 2023: Annual NITEP Gathering at FNESC
Dr. Jan Hare Dean pro tem welcomes you to the 2023 NITEP Alumni and Friends Reception at the First Nations Education Steering Committee's Education Conference.
Join us for a chance to re-connect with alumni and friends and to congratulate the Reconciliation and Decolonization Alumni Award recipient, Majorie Dumont, BEd'96, MEd'14!
Thank you for joining us. Please view photos from the event by clicking here.
Surveys and contest details
The most recent contest is now closed, and a winner has been selected. Congratulations, Shanny Nuyens, BKin'15, BEd'16, we hope you enjoyed the Canucks Game!
Committee Membership
Circle Membership
Amber Shilling, BA'06, PhD'20
Dr. Amber Shilling is Anishinaabekwe from Mnjikaning First Nation and is a very grateful, uninvited guest living in Sḵwx̱wú7mesh territory. Dr. Shilling earned her Ph.D. in Educational Studies from UBC in 2020. Her research stems from her personal experience trying to learn Anishinaabemowin while thousands of kilometres away from the majority of other Anishinaabemowin speakers. In her research, she explores how urban Indigenous youth utilize technology as a means to connect to identity, culture, and language. currently works for the Government of British Columbia as the Executive Director of Indigenous Education, in the Ministry of Education and Child Care.
Jessica La Rochelle, BA'06, MEd'18
Jessica La Rochelle is the granddaughter of Siyamtelot and Swelimeltxw (Shirley and Rudy Leon). She shares her traditional name, Lhkwemiya, with her mother. Jessica is Stó:lō, Okanagan, and Trinidadian. Jessica joined SFU as the Director, Indigenous Student Recruitment & Admission in August 2020 and transitioned in to her current role as Director, Indigenous Student Services in January 2021. Jessica completed her both her Bachelor of Arts degree and MEd in Educational Administration and Leadership with a focus on Leadership in Indigenous Education at UBC in 2006 and 2018, respectively.
Members at Large
Alumni who contribute to planning, organizing, and other volunteer opportunities. Membership may consist of up to five (5) people.
Marny Point, BEd'02, MET'04
Marny has been a Program Coordinator with NITEP: The Indigenous Teacher Education Program since 2005. An alum of the program herself, she is a passionate, dedicated Educator who is devoted to furthering Indigenous Education. She has also been a lecturer in the First Nations and Endangered Languages program which teaches an intermediate course level of hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓, the Coast Salish traditional Musqueam language. She understands how connections to Indigenous languages provide value, honor, and a sense of identity, thereby positioning Indigenous people in place and culture.
Student Membership
At least one (1) undergraduate (a member from the ESA) and one (1) graduate student representative from the BEd and graduate programs respectively, contributing student perspectives and ensuring a seamless transition from student to alumni.
If interested in a position, please contact education.alumni@ubc.ca.
