A Mini–Fair event connecting Indigenous learners with post–secondary and employment opportunities is set for Oct. 29 in Quesnel.
Strengthening Connections, the hosts of the mini–fair, is a collective of B.C. post–secondary institutions and employers that travel to schools and communities to connect potential learners with education opportunities.
This Mini–Fair will be at the Echen Deni Nen Keyoh (Formerly Elks Hall) from 2:00 pm until 5:00 pm on Wednesday, Oct. 29.
“It’s for any community members who are curious about post–secondary,” says Madison Roll, an Indigenous Alumni of UNBC, and the Indigenous Student Liason of UNBC.
“It’s a casual drop-in format. Whether you’re a current high school student, a parent, a family member, or you’re someone looking for a career change, and you want to go back to school and see what is out there, you can come and talk with us.”
Roll says the College of New Caledonia, Thompson Rivers University, UBC, UNBC’s Medical Division, and the RCMP will have tables alongside UNBC at the Mini-Fair.
This is the first time Strengthening Connections’ Mini-Fair will be hosted in Quesnel, and the collective will also visit Correlieu Secondary School that Wednesday morning.
“I wanted our team to do a community event here in Quesnel to provide a better opportunity for families to connect with us,” says Roll, who mentions one of her favourite parts about working with the Strengthening Connections collective is being able to empower Indigenous learners. “I want to see us decolonize how students can navigate post-secondary education, and question how we can do a better job of including their families in the process”.
Roll is passionate about debunking misconceptions about post-secondary education and looks forward to conversations that will set the stage to build better relationships and support future students to achieve their goals.
Something going on in the Cariboo you think people should know about?
Send us a news tip by emailing [email protected].
