The Selkirk College Men’s Hockey program has announced the departure of head coach Jeff Dubois, who has accepted a position as the head coach and general manager of the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League’s (KIJHL) Creston Valley Thunder Cats.

Dubois was hired as the team’s second head coach in April, 2012 and was behind the bench for back-to-back British Columbia Intercollegiate Hockey League (BCIHL) championships in 2013 and 2014. He was a recipient of the league’s Coach of the Year award in both his seasons at Selkirk College and departs with a combined regular season and playoff record of 48-6-1.

Jeff Dubois (middle) guided the Selkirk Saints Men’s Hockey Team to back-to-back league titles and departs for the KIJHL with an amazing combined regular season and playoff record of 48-6-1.

“We are very proud to have achieved the highest level of success over the past few seasons and Jeff’s contributions on and off the ice were certainly essential in making that happen,” says Kim Verigin, Selkirk College Athletics and Recreation Coordinator. “We wish him well with his new endeavor and hope he continues to succeed in the KIJHL.”

Dubois Thankful for Selkirk College Opportunity

As he prepares to move to his new surroundings, Dubois says he is grateful to Selkirk College and the community of Castlegar for his two tremendous seasons.

“Kim Verigin gave me the opportunity to prove myself as a head coach in the BCIHL and I’m very proud of the success we’ve been able to enjoy together,” says Dubois.

“I’m also thankful to all the people who make the program a success, including [Selkirk College President] Angus Graeme and the management staff at the college, and especially the outstanding group of student-athletes who have been primarily responsible for two great championship runs. I’m confident that the team’s returning players and incoming recruits have all the makings of becoming Selkirk’s best team yet. The foundation is clearly in place for the program to have continued success in the years to come.”

Dubois will assume his responsibilities with Creston Valley immediately, but will also continue to assist the Saints with the transition.

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A safe and healthy workplace is a reality within reach of every organization regardless of its size and Selkirk College biology instructor Dr. Delia Roberts is getting set to share her knowledge on how it can be achieved.

Starting this fall, Selkirk College will be offering a citation in Integrated Worksite Health & Safety which provides an opportunity for organizations to inject a new level of wellness, prevent injuries and create a more productive workplace. Under the expert guidance of Roberts, the online courses will enable participants to take control of an issue that costs millions of dollars each year.

Selkirk College biology instructor Dr. Delia Roberts as developed a train the trainer program that takes aim at a safe and healthy workplace.

“I feel very lucky to be in a position where I can share this knowledge and these tools,” Roberts says of the new program that aims to train the trainer. “I see myself as a translator. I’m taking the knowledge base that exists in sports science and translating it into a language that fits inside of a workplace. These are proven tools in a new application.”

Expanding Upon Roots in Sports Science

Roberts’ knowledge in the field of workplace health and safety is extensive. After 14 years of working with some of Canada’s highest level Olympic athletes in Calgary, Roberts arrived at Selkirk College in 1998 to take a position teaching in the University Arts & Sciences Program.

In 2000, Roberts took her years of experience in the world of sports science and applied it to a forest industry supported research project aimed at reducing injuries to tree planters. With outcomes like a consistent reduction in injuries by 40 to 90 per cent, her work has gained international recognition due to its exceptional effectiveness.

Over the last 14 years, the success of Fit to Plant has branched out into a multitude of industries where stress on the body and/or mind leads to costly injuries for both individuals and organizations. Roberts has applied her principles to truck drivers, medical professionals, ski industry employees and most recently hand fallers who toil in the forest industry.

“I think it’s successful because people look at it and see it’s good for them. It is also good for the organization they work with,” she says. “You’re giving people the keys to do their job well and work for a longer time.”

Equipping Employers with a Solid Base of Knowledge

The new Integrated Worksite Health & Safety citation is a slight departure from Roberts’ previous work. With the aim of building in-house capacity, she has designed the program for those currently employed in human resources or health and safety departments. Participants will gain the knowledge to evaluate the specific needs of their worker population. They can then use the tools to identify and deliver a sustainable health and safety program for their organization.

“By the completion of the course participants will have the ability to look at their organization, analyze where the problems lie, pull the resources together to design and implement a program, present an argument to management about which components are important, and then actually run an effective and sustainable program,” says Roberts.

The program consists of three online modules: An Introduction to Integrated Worksite Health and Safety, Introduction to Nutrition Science for the Workplace and An Introduction to Movement Science for Worksite Health and Safety.

The course is designed to be a manageable workload for someone who is fully employed, requiring six to eight hours a week including homework time. Each week will consist of an assigned reading with a set of questions to direct the learning, followed by an online forum with all participants and a mediated discussion led by Roberts. In addition, the assignments within each module direct the learner to identify the key elements specific to their workplace and build an integrated health and safety program for their own organization. Each module will take 12 weeks to complete.

Taking the First Step Leads to Success

Having worked with organizations like WorkSafeBC, Roberts knows her programs are effective. They are reducing workplace injuries, cutting down on absenteeism, trimming turnover, eliminating mistakes and improving productivity.

“When you try to take a new idea into business practice, people are often reluctant to try it unless it’s been proven,” she says. “Businesses find themselves behind the eight-ball because somebody else is moving ahead with the new trend. What I have done is to take techniques that I know work because they have been used previously in athletics and other areas. There is no risk involved to making this a business practice that will improve your bottom line.”

Though larger organizations have more capacity to implement health and wellness programs, Roberts says size doesn’t matter.

“It comes from philosophy within your workplace,” she says. “If you value your employees and you want to give them the best tools to do their jobs and live their lives… this is a great way to do it.”

Learn more about the Integrated Worksite Health & Safety citation and join us on Facebook.

For a half century, students educated on the post-secondary campus high above Nelson have contributed to building communities across the West Kootenay and beyond. This month the Selkirk College Silver King Campus marks 50 years by looking back and steaming ahead to its next 50.

Officially opened as the BC Vocational School, more than 600 people attended an opening ceremony held on June 6, 1964. First announced in 1961, the vocational school was built on a 35-acre tract of land in Rosemont with a vision of expanding training opportunities for the men and women tasked with helping build a burgeoning province.

The opening of the BC Vocational School (now Selkirk College's Silver King Campus) was big news in the region in 1964.

“The school will provide general training and retraining of people to service industry that will develop this area,” BC’s Public Works Minister W.N Chant told the crowd in 1964. “This will form a key and integral part of the economy and growth of the province.”

At the time of its opening, the BC Vocational School—which cost an estimated $2,416,525 to build and equip—offered Automotive & Heavy Duty Mechanics, Welding and Millwrighting in its shops. Beauty Culture, Secretarial and Practical Nursing were also included on the campus that saw high enrolment in its early years. An added touch was the inclusion of Kootenay School of Art which was looking for a permanent location to house its programs that were offered separately from the vocational school.

The Selkirk College Era Begins

In 1975, the established vocational school was officially merged with Selkirk College. To mark the importance of the Toad Mountain area to Nelson’s mining past, the campus was renamed Silver King.

The Silver King Campus is located in the Rosemont neighbourhood of Nelson on land that was once orchard and farm.

Over the years trades offerings have come and gone based on the needs of the economy. The Silver King Campus has also housed other popular Selkirk College programs such as Professional Cook Training, Ski Resort Operations & Management (SROAM) and the Hospitality & Tourism Program which have all since moved to Nelson’s Tenth Street Campus.

“As it was intended, the Silver King Campus has been an integral part of the regional economy for five decades,” says Selkirk College President Angus Graeme. “It’s incredible to think of the amount of students who have bettered their lives and contributed to our region’s economy because of the programs offered at the campus. Selkirk College is proud to be part Silver King’s legacy to this region and our province.”

Today's Silver King Buzzes With Activity

Today the Silver King Campus is home to Hairdressing, Esthetics, Carpentry, Fine Woodworking, Heavy Mechanical, Plant Operator, Welding, Electrical, Millwright/Machinist, Metal Fabricator, Adult Basic Education, Transitional Training, and a wide range of community education courses and classes.

“We’ve always had a dedicated staff of seasoned trades people who are also really good instructors,” says Dan Obradovic, a 17-year Electrical Program instructor who has spent the last six as the Industry & Trades Training school chair. “Our school is small and our community is small, which makes it easy to maintain contact with industry and modify our training to address needs.”

Selkirk College will celebrate the Silver King Campus for the next 12 months and officially mark the golden anniversary with an event in September.

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When Nelson’s Capitol Theatre went looking for a partner in its facility improvement project, they found plenty of helping hands at Selkirk College’s Fine Woodworking Program.

The Capitol Theatre’s $200,000 facelift includes a number of external, internal, technical and theatre system upgrades that is breathing new life into the important historic building that’s a cornerstone of the region’s cultural scene. A new HVAC system (heating, ventilation and air conditioning), a bold new external paint job, handcrafted new wheelchair accessible entryway doors, and an overhaul of the lobby, greenroom, workshop, orchestra pit, loading area and exit doors are major components of the project that has been going on for more than a year.

The Selkirk College Fine Woodworking Program Class of 2014 were instrumental in helping the Capitol Theatre's improvement project.

“In my second year as executive director of the Capitol Theatre, I saw a need to start fundraising for this project,” says Stephanie Fisher, who took over operations at the theatre in 2011. “In its current incarnation, this facility has served the community very well for 26 years. But as is always the case, time catches up to facilities like ours.”

Fine Woodworking Program has Established Reputation

The project has received a great deal of financial assistance from the likes of the City of Nelson, Columbia Basin Trust, the Province of British Columbia’s BC Creative Spaces Program, Canadian Heritage Cultural Spaces Canada, the Amy Ferguson Institute and the Regional District of Central Kootenay.

When the portion of the project that included new cabinets in the theatre’s greenroom began earlier this year, Fisher reached out to another important community builder.

“When I was reviewing the amount of work that still needed to be done, I remembered the generosity of the Fine Woodworking Program students that took part in the Touchstones Nelson Museum of Art & History construction that I was the project manager on a few years back,” says Fisher. “They built the cabinets for the staff room and kitchen for Touchstones, doing such a fabulous job.”

Fisher approached Fine Woodworking Program instructor Michael Grace who happened to be looking for a student project for the cabinet portion of the popular nine-month program that is based out of Nelson’s Silver King Campus.

“Michael thought it was a good fit and a good community contribution,” says Fisher.

The handcrafted cabinets were built on the Silver King Campus and installed by the students in the spring.

Students Donate Time to the Project

Over the course of a few months, the 20 students in the program took part in the construction and installation of the cabinets. With the assistance of Selkirk instructors Dave Stryck and Dave Buller, the Capitol Theatre now has cabinets crafted by a class of students who have now graduated and embarked on new challenges with their Selkirk education.

The Selkirk College students donated their time to the project, allowing the cost of the cabinet portion of the project to be shaved considerably. The front doors were custom built by David Ringheim Custom Woodworks, a Selkirk College alumnus.

If you would like to make a contribution to the Capitol Facility Improvement Project please contact Stephanie Fisher at 250.352.6363.

Learn more about the Selkirk College Fine Woodworking Program and join us on Facebook.

With the backdrop of Nelson’s majestic Lakeside Park acting as inspiration, artist and educator Elizabeth Cunningham will take kids on a journey of imagination this August.

Packing more than 30 years of teaching experience, Cunningham moved to Nelson last summer from Eden Mills, Ontario. Jumping feet first into the community, Cunningham is offering two summer camps for children between August 18 and 22. Both Nature & the Arts for kids aged five to eight and Razzmatazz Circus Arts for kids nine to 12, offer exciting opportunities for children who love to create.

“Lakeside Park is one of the most beautiful parks I have ever been in,” says Cunningham, who moved to the West Kootenay to be closer to her children and grandchildren. “It’s an ideal setting to bring what is really going to be a whole kaleidoscope of arts to the children.”

Elizabeth Cunningham (right) and her four-year-old granddaughter Avalea got into the spirit of the upcoming summer camps by making and painting kites. Cunningham will be bringing her two decades of experience putting on summer camps to Lakeside Park this August.

Bringing Stories to Life

Using a well-received model she applied to 22 years of summer camps in Eden Mills, Cunningham will focus the Nature & the Arts camp on a story. Based on First Nations legend, the story How Summer Came to Canada will act as the theme for the camp. Cunningham will explore the myth through activities that include storytelling, drawing, painting, kite making, music and sculpture.

“I love telling stories from all over the world,” says Cunningham. “I think children love to hear stories and adding that element brings a little more imagination into the mix.”

For the Razzmatazz Circus Arts camp, the older children will get a chance to immerse themselves in circus life and bring it alive through music, dance, mask making, giant puppets, clay and photography. Working with a professional circus artist, the kids will get to learn a variety of circus skills like making juggling balls and flower sticks, and clown character creation.

“I think the integration of the arts and the focus on the theme is what sets this camp apart,” says Cunningham. “And certainly the location of Lakeside Park is amazing.”

Leaving a Lasting Impression

Cunningham says partnering with Selkirk College to bring kids programming alive this summer was a natural fit. Kootenay Studio Arts and other arts programming the college offers throughout the year is a small community asset that helps set the West Kootenay apart.

“For kids interested in the arts, this might be a great opportunity to see what Selkirk College offers,” she says. “Maybe when they get older, they can look back and this will have been their first step forward.”

The camps will take a maximum of 15 children in each five-day adventure. Nature & the Arts will take place between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. Razzmatazz Circus Arts is scheduled to run from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Both camps take place at Nelson’s Lakeside Park and both cost $225 (which includes materials). Camps are filling up quickly and to pre-register call Kootenay Studio Arts at 1.877.552.2821.

Learn more about Selkirk College's Kootenay Studio Arts and join us on Facebook.

The Selkirk Saints men’s hockey team didn’t need to look far to find the man they feel can lead the squad to a third straight British Columbia Intercollegiate Hockey League (BCIHL) title.

The Saints have announced this week that Castlegar-raised Alex Evin is stepping from assistant coach to head coach for the upcoming 2014-15 BCIHL season. He will replace Jeff Dubois, who moved to the Creston Valley Thunder of the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League (KIJHL) earlier this summer.

A standout between the pipes when he played, Alex Evin has his eye set on success behind the bench of the Selkirk Saints men’s hockey team.

“I think it’s a good fit,” Evin says. “Having been part of the program for the last two years and two championships, I made a contribution to that overall success as an assistant coach. I think I can help keep the program going in the right direction. There’s an expectation to win and I love to win.”

Selkirk College Athletics & Recreation Coordinator Kim Verigin says the choice was obvious.

“Alex understands this team and understands this community,” says Verigin. “We’re excited to give him the opportunity to see what he can do calling the shots. He is young, enthusiastic and has the hockey knowledge that will enable our players to succeed both on and off the ice.”

Background Suited for Mentorship

Now 27, Evin grew up in Castlegar and was drawn to the position of goaltender at a young age.

“I was attracted to the equipment, that was pretty common for little kids,” Evin says with a chuckle. “But I like the fact that you are able to stay on the ice for the entire game, I hated changing and only playing a third of the game. I was pretty good at it as a young kid and it just kept going from there.”

Evin was a standout between the pipes while helping several Castlegar Minor Hockey Association rep teams take on the best in the province. With the likes of Clinton Pettapeice and Lindsay Walker adding offensive firepower, Evin helped backstop the Castlegar Bantam Rep team to a coveted BC Provincial Championship.

Drafted by the Western Hockey League’s Calgary Hitmen, Evin chose a more academic route in his hockey journey and joined the Powell River Kings of the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) as a 16-year-old. Evin finished his junior hockey career with the Penticton Vees where he helped the squad win a BCHL title in 2008.

His play with Penticton that season earned him a scholarship at the prestigious Colgate University in New York State where he played four seasons of NCAA hockey at the highest level. Though he took a shot at the professional game after graduation in 2012, Evin decided to return to the Kootenays to start training the next generation.

Developing the Future

Evin started NL Goaltending shortly after his return to Castlegar, offering his services to teams and individuals.

“I have a soft spot for the goaltenders in the Kootenays,” says Evin. “When I grew up I never had any help, I was on my own and made it pretty far by being essentially self-taught in the position. As a goaltender you have to keep developing because the game changes really quick and I feel the goalies in this area were left behind for a long time.”

Evin was instrumental in helping Chris Hurry develop into the top goaltender in the BCIHL last season. Based on his play and helping the Saints repeat as champions, Hurry will head to the University of Waterloo next season to suit up in the Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) league.

Early in the 2012-13 BCHL season, Dubois asked Evin to the join the Saints staff as an assistant coach. Focusing on the goaltenders, Evin left his mark by helping develop both Alex Sirard who was instrumental in Selkirk’s first championship in 2013 and Chris Hurry who backstopped the Saints to this past season’s ultimate glory.

A Deeper Understanding

Graduating with a degree in English from Colgate University, Evin knows the rigours of a student athlete. His background is one of the assets the team knows will translate into a stronger program.

“It was a pretty tough school when it came to academics, at Colgate you were always a student first and athlete second,” he says. “That’s how I am going to approach things at Selkirk because it puts things in perspective for you. Not everybody is going to play at the National Hockey League level and make a living in this game. To be fortunate enough to get to keep playing hockey at a competitive level is awesome, but the players need to ensure they are taking care of their academics first.”

On the ice and behind the bench, Evin plans to apply his knowledge and coaching technique in developing the Saints’ players.

Evin plans to continue with the philosophy of tenacity that has garnered the Saints two straight BCIHL titles.

“I’ve always been a student of the game and I really study the game, I’m a bit of a geek that way,” he says. “That’s just what I enjoy doing and who I am, so that seems to mesh well with coaching. And I can’t think of a better job.”

The core philosophy Evin helped foster under Dubois will continue and he expects this year’s club to be as tenacious as ever.

“We want to be a team that is always moving their feet and set the pace the play,” says Evin. “We pride ourselves on outworking each opponent every night and we won’t be a team that beats themselves in terms of not showing up. In the last two years some of the games we have won have been because we simply outwork the opponents and then you eventually get that bounce.”

The Selkirk College Saints will begin defence of their BCIHL title in September.

Learn more about the Selkirk Saints men's hockey program and join us on Facebook.

Nelson CARES Society and the Age Friendly Community Initiative have hired a Selkirk College student intern for a research and outreach project called Reaching Out.

As the name suggests, the project that will “reach out” to isolated rural seniors to talk with them about their concerns, challenges, and service needs. The project will also connect the seniors to organizations that can help them meet these needs.

Funding for this project was made available through the Teck Serv Applied Research Internship Project, sponsored by Teck Trail Operations through the Columbia Basin Rural Development Institute at Selkirk College. The goal of Teck Serv is to provide annual support for Selkirk College students to undertake a community-based research project in the West Kootenay/Boundary region.

Selkirk College Social Service Worker Program student Dana Burgess speaks with a Nelson area senior as part of the Reaching Out project which she is taking part in as student intern.

The Struggles of Rural Life

Rural seniors can become isolated for a number of reasons, including distance to services, lack of transportation, poor health, or the absence of family and friends nearby.

“By sitting down and talking with rural seniors in the region, we can find out if they’re having difficulties and, if so, why,” says student intern Dana Burgess. “For example, a rural senior might be having trouble getting to medical appointments because she can’t make the long drive to town anymore. With this information we could tell her about the available transportation options in her area, and perhaps help her advocate for an appointment time that fits with the regional transit schedule.”

The Reaching Out project is working in collaboration with Nelson & District Seniors Coordinating Society, North Kootenay Lake Community Services and Regional District of Central Kootenay (Area E). These organizations will help the intern to reach seniors in rural communities surrounding Nelson, including the areas around Salmo, South Slocan, Balfour, and Kaslo. In this way, the project will benefit the organizations that provide services to seniors by connecting them to this hard-to-reach population.

“Seniors’ organizations throughout the region are grappling with the issue of how to get services to isolated rural seniors. Having an intern dedicated to identifying these seniors and their needs will help us to overcome this challenge,” says Age Friendly Community Initiative Coordinator Corrine Younie.

Intern Gaining Valuable Experience

When rural seniors become less isolated, they participate more in social and recreational activities, and access health and community services; as a result their health and well-being improves. Burgess will refer seniors in need to collaborating organizations that can provide them with needed services and resources.

The project also provides valuable experience for Burgess, a student in the Social Service Worker Program at Selkirk College. A diverse group of project mentors will be guiding and supporting her throughout the project term.

“We’re delighted that Dana has found such a great placement,” says Terri MacDonald, Regional Innovation Chair in Rural Economic Development, Columbia Basin Rural Development Institute. “In addition to sharpening her applied research skills, she’ll be working one on one with vulnerable seniors and with community organizations, gaining practical community and social development experience.”

The project will run through the summer, wrapping up at the end of August. Burgess’s research findings will be released to the public in September. In the meantime, seniors living in the above mentioned rural areas who are interested in talking with Dana about their experiences are invited to contact Burgess at 250.352.2708, extension 11.

Learn more about the Teck Serv Applied Research Internship Project and join us on Facebook.

Using the most modern tools available, the Selkirk Geospatial Research Centre (SGRC) has helped restore a hallowed historical site in Ootischenia.

As part of the Ootischenia Doukhobor Cemetery’s  two-year restoration project, the Selkirk College-based research centre was contacted earlier this year to help with the tricky task of ensuring grave markers were returned to the proper resting place after significant landscaping was completed. Using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology, a pair of Selkirk College co-op students completed the important project last month.

Using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology, Selkirk College co-op student Barry McLane completed an important mapping project at the Ootischenia Doukhobor Cemetery earlier this summer.

“They did a wonderful job and we are happy to have worked with Selkirk College on this project,” says Peter Zaytsoff, chairperson of the graveyard committee that also included Larry Stoochnoff and Peter Kazakoff.

An Important Cultural Landmark

The Ootischenia Graveyard is located just south of Castlegar and was established in 1889. The original cemetery was known as the Waterloo Cemetery and served the Waterloo mining camp until its demise in 1902. In 1908, the Doukhobor community became the steward of the cemetery and it has remained an important burial site since that time. There are more than 850 interments at the graveyard, many of them unmarked.

With time not treating the site well, two years ago the graveyard committee embarked on a project to restore the area with help from a Regional District of Central Kootenay grant.

McLane (left) worked with graveyard committee members (L-R) Larry Stoochnoff, Peter Kazakoff and Peter Zaytsoff on the mapping project.

“It was very difficult to keep it in a tidy state because of the overgrowth and nature taking its toll on the land,” says Zaytsoff.

The project hit a critical juncture when moving the gravestones was required in order to level the land and that’s when the SGRC stepped in. Zaytsoff was directed to the geospatial centre of excellence by a former Selkirk College employee and help was on its way.

“The SGRC has done a few projects with community organizations,” says SGRC Coordinator Ian Parfitt. “These are great opportunities for service learning by students and for Selkirk to engage with local communities.”

Field Experience Enhances Education

A pair of co-op students—Barry McLane and Christie Rajtar—were assigned to the project in May. The gravestone removal and replacement required the students to survey the original location using DGPS (Differential Global Positioning System) technology to pinpoint accuracy. Using the survey data and advanced GIS software, the students created a headstone replacement plan that allowed the graveyard committee to remove the markers with a high degree of confidence that they would be returned to their original locations.

“We felt a little extra pressure on this project due to the immense cultural and historical nature of the site,” says McLane. “We really wanted to honour these people and their families, and we made an extra effort to be completely accurate in our survey and marker replacement planning.”

McLane says projects like the one at the cemetery help make people understand the important applications of GIS technology.

Once the land was cleaned up and leveled, the SGRC team laid out a grid of pins in the ground, with each pin referencing a corresponding grave marker and its original location. This allowed the volunteer graveyard committee members to replace the markers.

“This project was a great experience and a very non-traditional application of GIS,” says McLane. “Projects like this make the often mysterious world of GIS understandable to everyone. The simple concept of moving something and replacing it in that exact location really resonates with people.”

In the spring, McLane earned a Selkirk College Advanced Diploma in GIS to go along with his Selkirk College Integrated Environmental Planning Diploma. Three years into his studies, the Squamish native will return in the fall to complete his Bachelor’s Degree in GIS on the Castlegar Campus.

“I’ve always been making maps and working with data, right from a young age,” says McLane. “My education at Selkirk has really opened up my eyes to the world of GIS and has provided me with focus down a career path that I love.”

Restoring Pride of Place

With the field work now complete, McLane will be providing the committee with an overview map and updated grave registry lists.

The Ootischenia Doukhobor Cemetery helps tell the story of the region.

As work on the important historical site nears completion, Zaytsoff says the graveyard can now continue to serve future generations.

“When we come down here to do some work, we also come to visit,” he says. “By the time we say hello to our past, it takes a long time to leave. There is more than 100 years of history here and it’s very important to our community. When we do the work here, it’s with all our heart and all our soul. It was hard work, but it’s not a difficult task.”

Learn more about the Selkirk Geospatial Research Centre and join us on Facebook.

The Kootenay Studio Arts (KSA) at Selkirk College Campus will open its doors to the public as part of the annual Columbia Basin Culture Tour which takes place on August 9 and 10. This free, self-guided event allows the public to explore artists’ studios, museums, art galleries and heritage sites across the region, some of which are not normally open for the public.

“It’s great to be able to provide access for people who may not have the opportunity to see what we do here,” says Laura White, School Coordinator at KSA.

The Kootenay Studio Arts at Selkirk College Campus will open its doors to the public as part of the Columbia Basin Culture Tour on August 9 and 10. The campus is located at 606 Victoria Street in Nelson in a historic stone building.

Past Meets Present in Historic Downtown

The KSA campus is located at 606 Victoria Street in a beautiful heritage stone building. It’s home to KSA’s four main studios: Textiles, Ceramics, Jewelry and Sculptural Metal (blacksmithing and metal casting).

KSA will open during the Columbia Basin Culture Tour on both days between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Graduates will be making work in the studio spaces during the tour and will be happy to answer questions about their processes and the individual studio programs. Faculty will be giving guided tours of the campus at 10:30 a.m. each morning where they will provide information about program additions starting this September and the application process.

Students will be providing demonstrations of the creative process during the Columbia Basin Culture Tour.

This past spring KSA added new pathways for students and new doors to working artists in the region. The major changes include the addition of a two-year diploma stream and the new Open Studio Advanced Certificate. The 10-month certificate programs remain intact and continue to focus on hands-on instruction in the studios.

Alumni Featured Prominently on Regional Tour

The Columbia Basin Culture Tour is now in its sixth year. There are a total of 85 stops on the tour throughout the region with several KSA alumni part of the wealth of amazing homegrown talent. KSA alumni include: Lisa Martin Pottery in Beasley, Robert Dudley in Nelson, Kim Horrocks Ceramics in Nelson, Kalika Bowlby Pottery in Nelson, Kass Swankey (Day Moon Ceramics) in Passmore, Slip Bucket Designs in Passmore, Noam Ash (Claybrick Pottery) in Passmore, Robin DuPont in Winlaw and several KSA grads who are part of the Castlegar Sculpturewalk.

“It’s pretty special to leaf through the directory and see all these familiar names,” says White. “KSA is small and it feels like a family, so to have all these members of the family out there doing well is a credit to what we do here and a source of pride.”

To participate in the tour all you need is a Culture Tour Directory which is available at tourist information centres around the region and at participating venues. Visit the website for further details.

Registration for KSA’s fall programming is now being accepted.

Learn more about Kootenay Studio Arts at Selkirk College and join us on Facebook.

As part of British Columbia's Skills for Jobs Blueprint, Selkirk College will receive funding for an additional 54 training spaces to increase access and help reduce waitlists for trades critical to the liquefied natural gas (LNG) and other industries.

The allocation is part of the $6.8 million announced earlier this week to create 1,424 foundation and apprenticeship seats at 14 public post-secondary institutions throughout British Columbia.

Selkirk College's welding program will have extra seats added this coming year in order to address shortfalls in areas important to BC's future.

Selkirk College will receive a total of $245,000 including $214,000 for the additional seats that will be available to students as early as this September and $31,000 in operating and equipment funding to support delivery of training programs.

"We really appreciate this support from government to expand our training seats for rewarding career pathways that are in demand and in programs that students want,” says Selkirk College President Angus Graeme. “We will be able to address a number of our waitlists and prepare students sooner for some excellent job opportunities in BC."

Research Indicates Trades Will Be in High Demand

Selkirk College’s trades programs take place at Nelson’s Silver King Campus. Additional seats include 18 welder foundation seats, 16 electricial foundation seats and 20 carpentry apprenticeship seats.

The provincial government announced an initial $6.6-million for critical trades seats as part of BC's Skills for Jobs Blueprint. Funding allocations are based on the most recent labour market data, on consultations with institutions, the Industry Training Authority, and the province's Labour Market Priorities Board, and current waitlists, institutions' capacity to add training seats.

The carpentry program is found on Nelson's Silver King Campus.

"We promised to increase access to critical trades training seats for in-demand jobs and we are delivering on our commitment to ensure we have a skilled workforce,” says Advanced Education Minister Amrik Virk. “Throughout British Columbia, we are re-engineering education and training to turn learners into earners."

A million job openings are expected in BC by 2022, with about 43 per cent requiring college education or apprenticeship training. BC's Skills for Jobs Blueprint lays out a comprehensive action plan to re-engineer education and training so British Columbia students and workers have the skills to be first-in-line for jobs in a growing economy. More information on BC's Skills for Jobs Blueprint is available at the provincial government’s website.

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Peace seems more distant than ever in Israel, but Selkirk College instructor Denis Kleine is forging ahead with a project he hopes will act as a symbol of what can be achieved in the future.

Bloodshed and tension rises daily in the Gaza Strip as Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas continue the conflict that has taken a terrible toll on the region. With no end in sight to the struggle, earlier this month Kleine headed to the Middle East to get started on a sculpture project that promotes peace.

“When you look around the world there has been so much tension in that region seemingly forever,” says Kleine, who is the Metal Casting Instructor at Selkirk’s Nelson-based Kootenay Studio Arts. “It just seemed like a logical place to start.”

The rendering of the Peace Symbol which local artist Denis Kleine hopes will be placed in a small village in Israel upon completion.

In 2010 Kleine created the sculpture Peace Symbol which was installed at the West Kootenay Regional Airport in Castlegar. Standing four feet tall, the bronze sculpture features a male and female standing back-to-back in a circle of hands that all come together to form a peace symbol.

Since the popular sculpture was installed, Kleine has wanted to expand the reach of the meaning and artistry of the piece by creating a series of Peace Symbol sculptures around the world. In the spring—prior to the recent explosion of strife in the Gaza Strip—Kleine got started on the project that would see a 12-foot version of Peace Symbol created for installation in Israel.

“This has been on my mind for a long time and I just couldn’t wait any longer,” says Kleine. To make the project a reality, Kleine recruited Israeli sculptor Gadi Fraiman and Dutch sculptor Marielle Heessels to join him in making the $150,000 project a reality.

Taking Concept to the Next Level

Turning it up a notch, the sculpture team has decided to include at least 40 hand casts of actual Israeli and Palestinian residents to bring a more authentic symbol to life. In middle July, Kleine traveled to Israel to meet with Fraiman and Heessels to get started.

Arriving only weeks after the most recent rise in hostilities in the Gaza Strip, the team got to work on finding willing participants who wanted to take part in the lasting beacon of peace. Despite the images seen on television around the world, Kleine says it wasn’t difficult to find both Israeli and Palestinians who wanted to be involved.

The sculpture team managed to cast 20 hands during the 10 days they spent in Israel and Palestine.

“Our first stop was Tel Aviv where we just started visiting coffee shops and telling people about the project,” says Kleine. “So many people willingly stepped forward. Casting the hands is a bit of a process and it became like performance art, it was a really cool experience.”

Heading into the Palestinian-controlled West Bank was a bit more of a challenge and the sculpture team was warned by some not to venture into the contentious territory. Undaunted, Kleine and his colleagues ventured into Bethlehem and beyond where they were met with equally open arms.

“I never really felt unsafe or in danger,” says Kleine. “I think there is more danger walking across the street in Nelson during a busy summer day.”

Over the 10-day period the three sculptors managed to cast 20 hands which will be used in the final sculpture. Kleine says he will need to return to Israel to complete the rest on a future trip.

Project Well Received on Both Sides

Ultimately the sculpture team would like to see Peace Symbol placed in the small community of Neve Shalom which is a cooperative village midway between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem that was jointly founded in 1969 by Israeli Jews and Palestinian-Israeli Arabs. Meaning “Oasis of Peace,” Neve Shalom is an attempt to show that two peoples can live side-by-side peacefully.

With the sculpture still in its early stages, Kleine says financial support is required to get it to its final state. He has launched an Indiegogo campaign to help raise the needed funds which will allow for the completion of Peace Symbol.

Selkirk College Metal Casting Instructor Denis Kleine with the products used to cast the hands for the Peace Symbol Project.

“I believe in this project, so the idea is to get it going and I feel in my heart that the money will come,” says Kleine.

More determined than ever to make it happen, Kleine says his experience in Israel and Palestine has added new meaning to the project.

“It now has energy of its own,” he says. “All the people that are involved in getting their hands cast all have a story to be told. And even the experiences we’ve had so far, we’ve had a lot of doors closed, but a lot more doors opened. I think in the end more people will gravitate towards this and there will be more open doors which means more dialogue around peace.”

Finding Peace a Daunting Task

His optimism to bring small change through sculpture is not matched by a realistic view of what can be accomplished in the troubled region he witnessed first-hand. Kleine says the depth of the turmoil in Israel and Palestine is far too complex for most people, including himself, to grasp.

“I’m an eternal optimist so I think anything is possible,” says Kleine. “But there are so many questions and it is so complex… I’m just not sure. I think the average person on both sides want peace, but it is ultimately not going to be up to them.”

Though Kleine says he felt safe while visiting Israel and the West Bank, tensions are extremely high in the Middle Eastern region.

For more information on the Peace Symbol Project go to peacesymbolproject.moonfruit.com. To donate to the Indiegogo campaign head to indigogo.com.

To find out more about programs and opportunities at Kootenay Studio Arts at Selkirk College head to selkirk.ca. There are still seats available in the Sculptural Metal, Textiles, Ceramics and Jewelry studio programs.

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Kootenay Studio Arts at Selkirk College (KSA) will be part of the eclectic mix of sights and sounds arriving to the Salmo River Ranch this weekend for the Shambhala Music Festival.

In an effort to promote the programming at the Nelson-based art school, a portable foundry has been built that will allow faculty and recent graduates to provide demonstrations of bronze casting.

KSA faculty assistant Wright Simmonds (left) and Metal Casting Program instructor Denis Kleine (rigtht) with the portable foundry that will be set up at the Shambhala Music Festival this coming weekend.

Designed from scratch by KSA faculty assistant Wright Simmonds, the portable furnace will be fired up for all four days of the annual festival.

"I didn't work off any pre-existing plans to build it," says Simmonds. "It's an original design and I'm excited to see it in use at the festival."

KSA Bronze Casting Instructor Denis Kleine will be spearheading the demonstrations and will be joined by recent grads and alumni. Instructors and students from KSA's Blacksmithing Studio and Textiles Studio will also be at the festival providing demonstrations and answering questions.

KSA is currently taking applications for all programs that begin this September.

Learn more about Kootenay Studio Arts at Selkirk College and join us on Facebook.

The signing of a new protocol with Métis Nation British Columbia will enable Selkirk College to build on its dedication to better supporting Aboriginal learners and respecting their cultures.

In late-June, Selkirk College administration, Métis Nation British Columbia (MNBC) officials and local Métis leaders met at the Gathering Place on the Castlegar Campus to officially endorse the Métis Learners Protocol which defines a pathway to strengthen the partnership.  The document acknowledges “the need for improved levels of participation and the success for Métis learners in post-secondary education and training in British Columbia and beyond.”

Selkirk College President Angus Graeme (left) and President of the Métis Nation British Bruce Dumont (right) signed a new protocol at the Gathering Place on the Castlegar Campus.

“The Gathering Place is a place where students can network and meet other Aboriginal peoples where they have a comfort level and that’s very important because people are afraid to identify at times,” said Bruce Dumont, President of the MNBC. “It’s really important that people know their history, know their culture and know their ancestry. It’s been problematic for the Metis for many years because of the resistance where people go underground and don’t identify.”

The Gathering Place is the hub for Selkirk College’s Aboriginal Services programming. Opened in 2012, the Gathering Place provides Aboriginal students with a place to meet, celebrate culture, conduct ceremony, study and relax. A fitting location for the official signing of the protocol, the new document outlines how the college and the MNBC will work together in the coming years.

“It’s about valuing the different ways of knowing that cultures bring to the educational process,” said Selkirk College President Angus Graeme. “We see every day how critically important it is to connect the culture, traditions and values of Aboriginal peoples to their learning because it makes it so much more meaningful and lasting.”

The Struggles of the Past

Dumont has been the president of MNBC for 12 years and in that time has worked towards forging important relationships like the one at Selkirk College. Before signing the document, Dumont spoke about the importance education can play in the lives of Aboriginal people.

“Education opens many doors and that is something I have seen in my life,” he said. “I come from a family of 10, we have lawyers and doctors and educators.”

Bruce Dumont says education is vital to the success of Métis now and into the future.

Graeme acknowledges that for many people in Canada, the historical failures of the education system are not easy to overcome. The signing of the protocol is just one of many steps that Selkirk College hopes to take to better support Aboriginal learners into the future.

“There is often an understandable distrust of post-secondary education because of what has happened over many generations,” said Graeme. “Post-secondary institutions have to step forward, support reconciliation efforts and commit to providing culturally respectful and safe learning environments because we know how important they are for our indigenous learners to be successful on their educational journeys.”

An Important Building Block

In consultation with MNBC and almost two years in the making, the College developed the protocol to align with the United Nation’s Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, BC’s Métis Nation Relationship Accord and BC’sAboriginal Post-Secondary Education and Training Policy Framework. These and other documents provided important guiding values and principles of relationship building on which to base the final protocol for Selkirk College.

Joining Selkirk President Angus Graeme (left) and Métis Nation British Columbia President Bruce Dumont (right) at the protocol signing were Kootenay Region Director for Métis Nation British Columbia Marilynn Taylor (middle left), President of the Kootenay South Métis Association Myrt Servatius (middle) and President of the Nelson & Area Métis Association Bob Adams (middle right). The three presented Selkirk College with a special edition print of the Michif Declaration.

The document pledges to work collectively in the spirit of mutual respect, trust and mutual benefit to increase engagement and access for participation of Métis learners. To get there, the document lists the following important principles:

• Improved response to and inclusion of indigenous ways of knowing, and the interests and needs of Métis learners and their communities in the development and delivery of programs and services;
• Meaningful consultation and collaboration with Métis leaners and communities in developing programs and services with a view to improving access and success;
• Commitment to develop a process for defining the parameters for use of traditional and cultural knowledge when same is included in Selkirk College activities;
• Collaboration on joint funding and project proposals that may enhance program and service delivery;
• Commitment to develop a process to evaluate the effectiveness of this MOU and to act upon recommendations put forward by that evaluation.

Dumont says the protocol is a valued document for MNBC and the Métis people of the region.

“If it’s not formalized then you can’t refer back to it,” Dumont said. “It also means you meet on a regular basis to review the progress and what the results have been. It helps with the success in the long run.”

Learn more about Selkirk College’s Aboriginal Student Services and join us on Facebook.

Touchstones Nelson is taking visitors on a flashback to the 1960’s with the new exhibit Zeljko Kujundzic and the Early Years of the Kootenay School of the Arts.

Kujundzic, a fifth generation artist from former Yugoslavia, was hired in 1960 as the first principal of the newly formed Nelson School of Fine Arts’ three-year diploma program. An internationally acclaimed artist in his time, Kujundzic drew students to Nelson from across Canada and the US. His rigorous European “studio method” of instruction emphasized the use of local materials and trained multi-disciplined artists. The study of literature and philosophy were also included to enrich cultural depth.

Zeljko Kujundzic paints while students look on, c.1959. (Collection of Touchstones Nelson)

Major Influence on the Regional Arts Scene

Although Kujundzic was only at the school for four years, his influence marked the beginnings not only of KSA, but perhaps also of Nelson’s re-invention as the “Best Little Arts Town” in Canada.

The bold lines and iconic imagery in Kujundzic’s work reflect his Eastern European background, as well as the aesthetics of the times. His artistic practice included ceramic sculpture, painting, printmaking, metalwork, jewelry and numerous public are commissions, all of which will be featured.

The exhibition also traces the tenacious and tumultuous evolution of KSA through a collection of rare archival photographs and original course calendars.

A sample of Kujundzic's work that will be on display at Touchstones Nelson starting on Friday.

Explore Kujundzic’s diverse artistic practices and the history of the iconic Kootenay School of the Arts (now Kootenay Studio Arts at Selkirk College) through this unique exhibition.

The opening reception of the exhibition is set for Friday, August 15 between 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. at Touchstones Nelson (502 Vernon Street). Kujundzic’s family members will be in attendance and artwork by three of his daughters will be featured in the lobby.  

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The warmth and beauty of the West Kootenay made a lasting impression on Lama Losang Samten when he visited last summer and now the venerable Buddhist Tibetan scholar, spiritual leader and artist says he’s looking forward to his return.

Samten traveled to the East Shore’s Yasodhara Ashram to lead a Buddhist Meditation Retreat in 2013. Stopping in Nelson on his way home, Samten was taken with the small waterfront community.

One of the highlights of Lama Losang Samten’s visit to the region next month will be his creation of a compassion sand mandala at Nelson’s Shambhala Centre (812 Stanley Street). Samten is world renowned in the ancient Tibetan Buddhist art form.

“I enjoyed visiting Nelson, it’s a place I would love to spend a couple of years,” says Samten. “It’s a wonderful, lovely town. It’s an open-minded and laid back place where people enjoy their lives.”

Samten returns to the Yasodhara Ashram on September 12-14 to lead another retreat, but this time he is spending more time in the area. Before and after the Yasodhara retreat, Samten will share his perspectives and life experience with the Nelson community. Two highlights of Samten’s visit include the construction of a sand mandala at Nelson’s Shambhala Centre and a Selkirk College sponsored talk at the Nelson United Church.

The Power of the Sand Mandala

Samten was born in central Tibet and in 1959 his family was forced to flee to Nepal. He later moved to Dharamsala, India where he first met the 14^th Dalai Lama as a 10-year-old boy. Samten eventually became a Buddhist monk and then served the Dalai Lama as his personal attendant from 1985 to 1988.

In 1988, the Dalai Lama sent Samten to the United States to demonstrate the sand mandala art form. His initial creation at New York City’s American Museum of Natural History was the first time that a Tibetan mandala was constructed in the West. Since that time Samten has created hundreds of mandalas all over the United and States and Canada, educating people on the ancient Tibetan Buddhist sand painting.

“It is intended to uplift and benefit not only every person who sees it, but also to bless the environment,” says Samten.

Samten invites the public to come and check out the creation of the sand mandala while he is building it in Nelson at the Shambhala Centre.

Samten will be working on the compassion mandala at the Shambhala Centre (812 Stanley Street) from September 7 to September 11. As he has since 1988, Samten is inviting the community to come to the Shambhala Centre to watch the creation of the mandala, ask questions and share stories. The intricate work will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and then 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. during the five days.

An important part of the sand mandala is the ritual destruction which is highly ceremonial. After the retreat at the Yasodhara Ashram, Samten will return to Nelson for the ceremony which will include taking the sand to Kootenay Lake where it will be released back into nature. The public is invited to take part in the ceremony and walk from the Shambhala Centre to the lakeshore.

“I am very much looking forward to that, you have a beautiful lake,” says Samten.

A Brush With Hollywood

In the mid-1990s, Samten was asked to be the spiritual advisor on the movie Kundun which set out to depict the life of the 14^th Dalai Lama from his birth to his journey to exile. The 1997 epic biographical film was directed by Martin Scorsese and went onto critical acclaim. Along with his role as advisor, Samten also acted in the film.

On September 10, Samten will show behind-the-scenes slides of the making of the movie and share stories on his experience during that time. A question-and-answer period will follow.

Samten was the spirtual advisor on the epic Martin Scorsese movie Kundun.

“It’s a lovely movie which gives people a part of not only the Dalai Lama, but a part of Tibet,” says Samten. “I was very fortunate to work with the people for that time. I have shown the slides to friends and in different places, people seem to be very interested.”

The evening is being presented as a Selkirk College Mir Centre for Peace Café and begins at 7 p.m. with a suggested donation of $10 at the door.

“This night is for anybody who has the time and anybody who is interested, it would be lovely to share my experience,” he says.

Awareness and Understanding

Samten has written two books, one in Tibetan on the history of the Monastery of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and one in English, Ancient Teachings in Modern Times: Buddhism in the 21^st Century. When asked what his ultimate purpose of his travels and teachings are, Samten says that’s not the point.

“I don’t have any expectation to achievement,” he says. “Buddhist or non-Buddhist, it really doesn’t matter… we are all one human family and we all have a responsibility to make something better for ourselves. I am happy to have a chance to share information. It is my responsibility to share what is good in our individual lives.”

Find out more information on the Yasodhara Ashram Buddhist Meditation Retreat.

For more information on the Shambhala Centre visit their website.

Learn more about the Selkirk College Mir Centre for Peace and join us on Facebook.

When Selkirk College Instructor Randy Janzen traveled to South Sudan in June, it wasn’t to report on the looming humanitarian crisis caused by famine and civil war in that country. On the contrary, the Peace Studies Program instructor wanted to learn more about an exciting project where local and international professionals are organizing together to systematically seek ways to reduce violence in this war-torn country on the brink of famine.

Janzen joined Nonviolent Peaceforce, an international organization that works in conflict areas around the world, to learn more about how this organization works on the ground to reduce violence. Their techniques are based on the model called “unarmed civilian peacekeeping.”

Selkirk College Instructor Randy Janzen was part of a team that included these three unarmed civilian peacekeepers working in an isolated Dinka community, where ethnic Nuer have recently arrived to escape the armed conflict in their region.

“While military peacekeeping has been shown to be effective in reducing violence, utilizing specially trained unarmed civilians has been shown to be just as effective in reducing violence,” says Janzen. “Unarmed civilians are able to go even further in building lasting cultures of peace by breaking the cycle of violence so that guns and other arms are not viewed as the only method to bring about justice and peace.” 

Spearheading Solutions Comes from the Grassroots

Unarmed civilian peacekeeping fulfills the same role as armed military peacekeepers do: preventing the violence between warring factions by providing a third party presence. Unarmed civilian peacekeeping involves the participation of local grassroots leaders, particularly women, to seek solutions to violence reduction. 

“Something happens that is measurably different when you engage with people to reduce violence without weapons,” says Janzen. “You open space for all members of a community to get involved, not just those who have access to weapons. Power and authority is spread out to include women, youth and civil society organizations.”

The children of South Sudan are amongst the most vulnerable on a daily basis.

South Sudan is located in northeastern Africa and is the continent’s youngest nation having gained independence from Sudan in 2011. It has suffered internal conflict since its independence with the most recent tensions erupting this past December having killed at least 10,000 people.

While in South Sudan, Janzen traveled with a team of four workers to an isolated village that was being inundated with internally displaced people from a neighbouring province who were trying to escape the civil war and food shortage. The complication was that the local community and the displaced community were from two rival ethnic groups, potentially creating a volatile situation. 

Janzen says the peace team quickly built relationships with both groups and then advocated with United Nations agencies to bring in more food supplies for the displaced people. They asked the local leaders if they could stay to help them ensure the safety of both communities and an invitation was extended from both sides for them to stay.

Quelling Rumours and Ensuring Proper Communication

Currently, Nonviolent Peaceforce has 80 professionals on the ground, half South Sudanese and half from around the world, including countries like Canada, Colombia, Sri Lanka, Kenya and Sierra Leone. These international teams use specific communication strategies to reduce tension between conflicting parties. Some strategies include protective presencing where teams are placed in communities at risk of being attacked by armed groups. The groups also conduct a relatively straightforward practice called rumour control where they act as a communication conduit between parties in conflict. 

Three women from the Women’s Peacekeeping Team in South Sudan. They meet with local youth to educate them about the negative consequences of violence and teach nonviolent strategies.

“All too often, violence occurs when one faction misinterprets the action of another faction,” says Janzen, who has taught Peace Studies at Selkirk College for four years. “Paranoia leads to all kinds of problems. By simply establishing nonpartisan lines of communication, violence has been shown to be reduced.”

Community workshops on nonviolent conflict resolution are also a part of the work of Nonviolent Peaceforce. Participants are always very grateful to learn more about nonviolent strategies, as revenge has become growing aspect of inter-ethnic strife in his country. One of the workshop facilitators told Janzen that elders are particularly suspicious of young people teaching them information, as wisdom traditionally comes from the elders. One of the elders then went onto say that learning about non-violent strategies “is the most important thing we need to learn.”   

Janzen was most inspired by the South Sudanese members of the peacekeeping groups.

“They were very determined to help their brand new country transition into a safe and prosperous democracy,” he says. “I was told repeatedly by South Sudanese staff members that unarmed civilian peacekeeping was the most important component to creating a culture of peace in their country. They told me to go back home and inform people on the important work the civilian peacekeeping teams are doing.” 

Canadians Can Help Make a Difference

Janzen returned to Canada inspired and invigorated to promote the practice among Canadians. 

“I think most Canadians do not like the idea of war, yet at the same time we want to help other nations,” he says. “Unarmed civilian peacekeeping is demonstrated to be safe, cost effective, environmentally friendly and it works”

Janzen hopes to use his experience to spearhead a collaboration between Selkirk College’s Mir Centre for Peace and some international partners to develop a research project in South Sudan that would measure some of the impacts of unarmed civilian peacekeeping on communities suffering from violence.  

“Our goal is to systematically test methods of unarmed civilian peacekeeping to see if they can become viable strategies that can be used more often by countries like Canada, as we respond to violent and humanitarian crises around the world,” says Janzen.

“It’s not enough to say we’re against war. We need to find evidence-based strategies that can replace war. Our long term goal is to create a post-secondary program in unarmed civilian peacekeeping here at Selkirk College. The people I worked with in South Sudan say it is necessary to train more professionals. There is a real need and funding has dramatically increased in the past few years, creating a shortage of staff.”

Learn more about the Selkirk College Peace Studies Program and join us on Facebook.

It’s one of the most important foundations of a shrinking world. Teaching English as an additional language is vital to commerce, community and creating conversations between cultures.

This October, BC Teachers of an Additional Language (BC TEAL) will hold its 2014 Interior Regional Conference at the Selkirk College Tenth Street Campus. More than 100 teachers, administrators and community leaders will take in the one-day event at Mary Hall.

“People are always going to want to learn English, that’s the bottom line,” says Tyler Ballam, the Selkirk College instructor who is heading up the organization of the conference. “How that’s delivered is where there is the dialogue.”

Tyler Ballam teaches in both in both the English Language Program (ELP) and the Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages Program (TESOL) at Selkirk College. He is one of the organizers of the upcoming BC TEAL conference which will take place at Nelson’s Tenth Street Campus.

The theme for the conference is “Interior Designs: Building Teaching and Learning Communities.” The idea of building connections throughout communities is central to the conference concept considering most in attendance work in areas far removed from the Lower Mainland.

Though immigration is more pronounced in the larger urban centres, Ballam says his colleagues face similar challenges and put forward similar goals.

“You are not just a teacher,” he says. “For many of these students you are their first point of contact when they come to Canada. You are representing Canada and the place you live because they are dealing with culture shock. That adds to the stress because you are not just teaching a language, you are important to their lives, their success and their happiness.”

An Unforgettable Experience

Ballam knows what it feels like to experience culture shock. When he graduated from the University of Victoria, he headed to Asia where he took a job teaching English to elementary school students near Seoul, South Korea.

“It’s a culture shock going from Victoria to Seoul in a matter of weeks,” he says. “There is no intermediary period where you are eased into it, it’s night and day.”

Armed with a Bachelor’s of Arts degree and no specialized training in how to actually teach English as a second language, Ballam says it was a struggle.

“I walked into class and there are 12 little Korean kids looking at me,” he says. “I thought: what I am going to do? In retrospect, I didn’t really know what I was doing… I was pretending to be a teacher. But I survived and learned.”

Ballam adapted and ended up spending 10 years in South Korea, eventually taking a job teaching at a university and in his spare time earning a Master’s degree in Teaching English as a Second Language.

Looking to return to Canada, four years ago Ballam accepted a job at Okanagan College teaching English to a cohort of Saudi Arabian students. He started in the Selkirk College International Department almost three years ago and currently teaches in both the English Language Program (ELP) and the Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages Program (TESOL).

Selkirk’s ELP provides students the opportunity to build their English language skills and earn credits that can be transferred in a Selkirk College diploma or university transfer programs. It brings students from many different corners of the world to the Castlegar Campus.

The TESOL Program offers both Canadian and international students an opportunity to gain professional qualifications to teach English as a foreign language. The intensive four-month program provides a gateway to a field with growing global demand.

“There were points when I was in South Korea where it was just too much, it was overwhelming at times,” says Ballam. “That’s why I like being part of the TESOL Program so I can advise these future instructors on what they are getting themselves into. Every situation is different, but you have to be prepared.”

Important Networking Opportunity

Dr. Scott Douglas—a University of British Columbia instructor and author—will be the plenary speaker at the BC TEAL conference in Nelson. There will also be a number of other presentations and group discussions involved during the day-long event.

Ballam says it’s important to bring together a group of people who are working towards the same goal of helping improve communication across borders and cultures.

“Teachers talk about different perspectives on how to teach different cultures,” he says. “It’s not just ESL, it’s really just working with international students in variety of contexts.”

The conference takes place on October 4 at Nelson’s Tenth Street Campus. Registration is now open at bcteal.org.

Learn more about Selkirk International and join us on Facebook.

Providing a well-deserved break from the bustle of a new semester, Selkirk College staff are getting together for a fun evening at Finley’s Irish Bar & Grill and inviting the community to join them.

On September 11, the college will host a TGIF fundraising event at the Nelson establishment that will help raise funds for a student from the African Peacebuilding Institute to come to the West Kootenay and attend the Peace Studies Program on the Castlegar Campus. The feature event for the night is karaoke where well known college staff will get the party rolling.

“TGIF's are an opportunity for Selkirk staff to get together and have fun,” says event organizer and Selkirk College Instructor Randy Janzen. “So, why not combine ‘fun’ with a purpose? Karaoke is one of those events that makes many people nervous. But to come out and see your fellow staff go on stage and belt out a pop song, it's actually a lot of fun.

“This event is open to the public so it's also an opportunity for the public to see what we are doing at the college.”

An Important Connection with Africa

The African Peacebuilding Institute is an annual four-week course in Johannesburg, South Africa that brings together community-based peacebuilders from all across Africa to take a crash course is skills such as mediation, trauma healing, conflict resolution, and learn about topics such as gender-based violence and reconciliation.

Most of the students that take part are already doing the work and lack formal training. Selkirk College Peace Studies Program students have the opportunity to participate alongside these grassroots activists and earn credit at Selkirk College. Past students have described the experience as amazing.

“To reciprocate the relationship, we offer one of the participants of the African Peacebuilding Institute the opportunity to further their studies here at Selkirk,” explains Janzen. “Issa Ebombolo from Zambia was here last fall. His contribution to our classes was exceptional. He had 10 years of experience working in peacebuilding activities, but did not have any formal education in the field.  He learned a lot and shared a lot of his practical wisdom.”

Selkirk Staffers With Chops

The evening is all about gathering community and colleagues for a celebration. Selkirk College staff taking the Finley’s stage to belt out some karaoke classics will include Pat Henman, Melody Diachun, Darren Mahe, Almeda Glenn Miller and more.

“Anyone interested in supporting education for peace is invited to come out and join us,” says Janzen. “Minors are allowed if accompanied by a parent and we hope to see a huge turnout.”

The Thursday night fundraiser gets underway starting at 6 p.m. at Finley’s Irish Bar & Grill (705 Vernon Street). The cost for the burger & beverage evening is $15.

Learn more about the Selkirk College Peace Studies Program and join us on Facebook.

Selkirk College celebrated student excellence and achievement at its annual Scholarship Evening.

More than 350 students, donors, faculty and family members attended the September 4^th special event that was held in the Castlegar Campus gymnasium. In total 275 awards, worth more than $175,000, was provided to help students reach their educational goals.

More than $175,000 in scholarships was awarded this year to students. Celine Clemence Magneche Nde was one of the students to be recognized, winning the International Education Scholarship and the Prestige Lakeside Resort & Convention Scholarship.

“It’s important to bring students and donors together on one special evening to recognize the importance of scholarships in the educational journey,” said Joleen Kinakin, Selkirk College Donor/Alumni Relations Coordinator.

Director of Human Resources and Community Relations Gary Leier provided the event opening and Selkirk College Board Chair Bruce Morrison welcomed those in attendance on behalf of the governing body. President Angus Graeme then spoke about the importance of scholarships and the donors that generously provide the resources that allow the College to award financial incentives every year.

Those in attendance were introduced to the students who showed up in person to receive their awards. The smiling faces and proud family members brightened the gymnasium.

Student Speech a Highlight of the Evening

The evening’s final words came from third-year Nursing Program student Catharina Bass-Sylvester who received three different scholarships for her academic excellence.

Catharina Bass-Sylvester provided the closing remarks which reflected the importance of scholarships to overall student success. View more photos from the evening.

“The students in this room are diverse in backgrounds, interests and academic pursuits, but we are united here together because of our desire to learn and because of the support of you, the donors,” said Bass-Sylvester. “The great thing about Selkirk College is it welcomes people from all over and gives them a platform to succeed. Your monetary contributions have supported us individually in our pursuits, but it extends beyond the individual to support a community.”

Bass-Sylvester emphasized the important advantages a Selkirk College education can provide.

“So this is how I would like to offer thanks, on behalf of all the students here, with an acknowledgement that the opportunities we enjoy here at Selkirk College will extend beyond these walls,” she said. “As we continue our studies and venture out into the world equipped with a stellar education and unburdened with crippling debt, we will share your dedication to education, your commitment to caring and community as we contribute to a better society.”

Learn more about Selkirk College Scholarships, Awards & Bursaries and join us on Facebook.

The Selkirk College Men's Hockey program will play their first exhibition games of the 2014-15 season this weekend in a home-and-home series against the BCHL’s Trail Smoke Eaters.

The Selkirk Saints will host the Smokies on Friday night at the Castlegar and District Community Complex at 7:00 p.m. and the Smokies will welcome the Saints on Saturday night at the Cominco Arena starting at 7:00 p.m..

The Selkirk College Saints are coming off back-to-back BCIHL titles and have a solid crop of returning players and talented newcomers in the line-up for the upcoming season. Forward Mason Spear (above) is one of the players who is back and ready to defend the title. The Saints start the exhibition season this weekend with a home-and-home series against the Trail Smoke Eaters.

"We are excited to finally play some games. Our team has been practicing for the last three weeks and the players are anxious to get going," says new Saints head coach Alex Evin. “I’m looking forward to both programs showcasing their talented teams in front of our very supportive Kootenay fans.”

Trail is fresh off a split of games with the Merritt Centennials where they won 4-2 and lost 7-5 last weekend.

Saints Players Returning to Familiar Surroundings

The Saints feature several former Smoke Eaters with Jamie Vlanich, Ryan Edwards, Clayton McEwan, Darnell Dyck, Logan Proulx and most recently Jesse Knowler. Knowler spent the last two seasons with the Trail BCHL squad collecting 16 goals, 42 assists and 58 points in 84 games from 2012-2014.

"We will have a very competitive line-up within ourselves as our new recruits will be pushing our veteran players for ice time,” says Evin. “We expect to have a strong team again and our coaching staff is looking forward to evaluating our players this weekend."

The Saints are coming off their second straight BC Intercollegiate Hockey League (BCIHL) title after sweeping the playoffs versus Trinity Western University and Thomson Rivers University this past spring.

Packed Pre-Season for Saints

The upcoming weekend set against the Smokies marks the first of five exhibition games for the Saints. Selkirk will host Trinity Western in Trail on September 19 and then face Grant MacEwan University from the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference in a double header September 27 and 28 at the Castlegar Complex.

The Saints regular season home opener featuring the 2014 championship banner raising ceremony will take place on October 17 with Eastern Washington University as the visitor.

General admission tickets for both games this weekend will be available at the door for $5.

Learn more about the Selkirk Saints Hockey Program and join us on Facebook.