The Aboriginal Advisory Education Council at NIC will reveal a new logo Friday, October 14 to welcome Aboriginal students and cultures on campus.
The logo contains images of a Gwawina-Raven and Kwikw-Eagle, significant to Nuu chah nulth, Kwakwak’wakw and Coast Salish Nations culture and traditions.
The logo is meant to be used on coffee cups, walls, clothing – any place where it can be seen and felt on a daily basis.
“Small things can make a big difference,” Prince added. “It is especially important to students who leave their communities to attend college.”
NIC has more than 1,240 Aboriginal students – who learn in remote communities or attend one of NIC’s Comox Valley, Campbell River, Port Alberni and Mount Waddington campuses.
The Aboriginal Education Advisory Council guides NIC in developing, delivering and evaluating Aboriginal services and programs. It is made of three regional advisory committees, who prioritize NIC’s funding requests, inform NIC’s decisions and support Aboriginal Education across the region.
The Council issued a call for applicants in early 2016, and created an Aboriginal Education Logo subcommittee with representation from across the region to review designs. The Council named Lekwiltok artist Curtis Wilson as the successful applicant.
“North Island College has been established for 40+ years and their logo is well-known in all of our communities,” said Wilson. “I wanted to ensure the college is still strongly evident within the new logo – but when people look closely they see First Nations components of the region. Together, they represent Aboriginal Education at NIC.”
The Gwawina-Raven, at the top of the logo, represents creation and transformation. The Raven is the bringer of light; releasing the sun, moon and stars. He is a benevolent figure that helps people whenever possible.
The Kwikw-Eagle sits below the Raven. It represents leadership, status, power, peace and friendship. Its feathers are a sacred part of many ceremonies and eagle down still blesses the Big House floor before ceremonies today.