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NIC names interim manager, Aboriginal Education

The appointment ensures NIC will continue to meet the needs of Aboriginal students
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Kelly Shopland’s appointment as interim manager of Aboriginal Education means she’s responsible for seeing NIC continues to meet the needs of First Nations students.

On Oct. 5, Kelly Shopland assumed the role of Interim Manager of Aboriginal Education.

The appointment ensures NIC will continue to meet the needs of Aboriginal students and communities across the northern Vancouver Island and the BC central coast.

“Kelly has directly served NIC students as an Aboriginal advisor at the Comox Valley campus for the past seven years,” said Tony Bellavia, NIC’s, Assistant Vice President, Access and Regions. “She is intrinsically aware of First Nations culture and needs in the region.”

Shopland holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology, with distinction from UVic, an Education post baccalaureate degree from VIU, and she is currently working towards completing a Masters of Education in Adult Learning and Global Change through UBC.

She is a member of the K’omoks First Nation, who grew up in the Comox Valley. She has represented NIC on School District 71’s Aboriginal Education Council since 2010 and has chaired the council for the past two years.

Shopland’s primary responsibilities include oversight of NIC’s Aboriginal Service Plan, as well as meeting with NIC’s Regional Aboriginal Advisory Committees to review the plan’s progress and determine its priorities for the 2016 / 2017 year.

She will also support NIC’s Elders-in-Residence in advising NIC on Indigenous pedagogies and local Aboriginal protocols.

“Her appointment comes at a time when NIC has signed a historic Indigenous Education protocol with First Nations throughout the region,” said Bellavia. “We also support First Nations programming needs in the region and serve increasing numbers of Aboriginal students annually.”