Aboriginal programs and services directory

Start your search today by browsing the directory below to learn more about programs and services to help you pursue a postsecondary education.

The University of British Columbia

General statistics

Students who identify as Aboriginal	less than 2%
Academic staff who identify as Aboriginal	36 (excluding sessional and adjuncts)

Aboriginal languages

Courses offered	Musqueam Salish Cree (Plains Algonquian) N’syilxcen (in partnership with Enowkin Centre) The First Nations Languages program also offers courses in other first Nations languages such as Kwak'wala, Kaska, Dene when resources and enrolment permit.
Considered for second language credit requirements	Yes

Financial support

+ Scholarships

UBC had over 60 awards specifically for Aboriginal students.

+ Graduate fellowship

UBC offers multi-year fellowships to Master’s and doctoral Aboriginal students. Award winners are selected on the basis of academic merit through an annual competition, administered by the Faculty of Graduate Studies in consultation with the First Nations House of Learning. Aboriginal Graduate Fellowship

+ Other

Bursaries
Aboriginal Major Entrance Awards

Financial guidance

- Information for Aboriginal students is available on the Aboriginal Portal.
- Staff who are particularly aware of Aboriginal student needs advise students in several locations
- Enrolment Services Coordinator available to help both students and bands/Aboriginal organizations to manage sponsorship billing (band funding).

Services

+ On-campus housing/student residences

Priority access to on-campus housing
UBC provides priority access to on-campus housing for Aboriginal students who apply by the deadline.

+ Academic counselling

Aboriginal student orientation-Aboriginal">https://you.ubc.ca/ubc/vancouver/aborigadmissions.ezc">Aboriginal Admission Policy
If your grades do not meet your program's competitive average, UBC may consider your application through the Aboriginal Admission Policy (applies to Canadian Aboriginal applicants). This allows us to consider your history, cultural knowledge, work experience, educational goals, and other achievements.

• General counselling

• Peer-to-peer mentoring

• Employment/career counselling

+ Other

Xwi7xwa Library
Xwi7xwa is a branch of the UBC library and the only dedicated Indigenous university library in Canada. It houses special collections not found elsewhere and most significantly, it offers students and researchers expert help in conducting research on Indigenous topics.

Aboriginal Recruiter
Aboriginal Advisors in the Faculty of Arts
Aboriginal Coordinator in the Faculties of Science and Land and Food Systems
Associate Dean of Indigenous Education in the Faculty of Education
First Nations Coordinator in the Faculty of Forestry
Coordinator for Aboriginal Graduate Students in the Faculty of Graduate Studies
Associate Director of Indigenous Legal Studies in the Faculty of Law.
Aboriginal Student Initiatives Coordinator in the Faculty of Medicine

Activities

• Social or cultural events

+ Gathering space

First Nations Longhouse (Vancouver Campus)
The Longhouse serves as a place where students, faculty and many other people can come to study, learn, and connect in a surrounding that reflects Aboriginal traditions and cultures.
Aboriginal Centre (Okanagan Campus)
The Aboriginal Centre provides a sense of belonging and community to Aboriginal students. This home away from home is committed to enriching the quality of the student experience for Aboriginal students by promoting access, providing capacity building opportunities, and celebrating success.

+ Elder visits

Elder in Residence

• Linkages to local Aboriginal communities

+ Other

Aboriginal Student Lunches
Every week a different UBC unit host an Aboriginal student lunch and information session at the First Nations Longhouse.

The First Nations House of Learning (Vancouver), Aboriginal Programs and Services (Okanagan), and student groups put on a wide variety of social and cultural events throughout the year. There are many opportunities to get involved in these activities.

Aboriginal organizations frequently use the university's gathering space on campus for events open to faculty, staff, and students.
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General information

The University of British Columbia offers
- Support for student-run conferences;
- Student academic networking programs;
- UBC offers at least 116 courses with significant indigenous content across both campuses and many faculties.

Contact information

Vancouver Campus: Rick Ouellet
Aboriginal Student & Community Development Officer
fnhl.coordinator@ubc.ca

Okanagan Campus: Adrienne Vedan
Director, Aboriginal Programs and Services
adrienne@ubc.ca
UBC Okanagan, Aboriginal Programs and Services

More information online

Aboriginal Portal

Campus Locations

Main Campus
2329 West Mall
Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z4
Telephone: 604-822-2211

Okanagan Campus
3333 University Way
Kelowna, British Columbia V1V 1V7
Telephone: 250-807-8000
Website: www.ubc.ca

University website

Other programs

Aboriginal studies programs »

All programs »

Programs for Aboriginal students

Transition

Programs	On Campus	Off Campus
UBC-Langara Aboriginal Transfer Program The program provides a pathway (including a community of support, guaranteed admissions and scholarships) for students wanting to start their studies at Langara College and then transfer to UBC after the equivalent of two-years of coursework.
Aboriginal Access Studies Program Offered through the UBC Okanagan campus in Kelowna and the En'owkin Centre in Penticton, this program provides access to university-level courses for students who do not meet the university admission requirements. The university provides extensive tutorial and personal support through advisors, counsellors and peer mentors. Students take three university level courses per term. At the end of the second term, upon successful completion of six courses (18 credits), UBC Okanagan campus will admit students into direct entry degree programs such as Arts, Science, Nursing, Management, Visual Arts, and Human Exercise Sciences.

Undergraduate

Programs	On Campus	Off Campus
First Nations Languages Program (Arts Faculty)
Indigenous Legal Studies
Native Indian Teacher Education Program
Aboriginal Residency Program (Medicine) The Aboriginal Residency Program provides Aboriginal medical graduates – and others interested in Aboriginal health issues – an opportunity to focus on the health and healthcare challenges facing Aboriginal people. Training is done in communities, family practices and hospitals. The training offers experience with Aboriginal patients in family practice and elective rotations.
Forest Resources Management Major (specialization in community and Aboriginal forestry) The program is designed to facilitate students' acquisition of specific knowledge and skills to give them the confidence they need to make effective decisions in the emerging field of community and Aboriginal forestry. After appropriate work experience and examination, graduates will be eligible for registration as professional foresters.
Certificate in Aboriginal Health Care Administration Offered by UBC Continuing Studies and is a mixed-mode course combining 50 percent on-campus teaching and 50 percent online instruction. Students are normally working in the field and begin by attending extended four-day weekend classes at the UBC Longhouse followed by online distance learning for a two-month period. The cycle is repeated over the year-long duration for each cohort of community-based students.
Chinook Business Diploma The Sauder School of Business' Chinook Aboriginal Business Education program provides business education opportunities for Aboriginal students. The Chinook Business Diploma, offered through some B.C. colleges in partnership with UBC, is a two-year diploma that covers a full range of business fundamentals. It includes two UBC business courses for Chinook students from all partner colleges, as well as a summer internship. Partner colleges include Camosun College, Capilano College, College of New Caledonia, Langara College, and Northwest Community College. Aboriginal students who have completed the Chinook Business Diploma at one of UBC's partner colleges have the opportunity to enrol in the Bachelor of Commerce - Chinook Option and select courses designed to address Aboriginal business issues and interests.

Graduate

Programs	On Campus	Off Campus
School of Community and Regional Planning Program, First Nations Concentration This program involves community-based practicum.
School of Library, Archival, and Information Studies, First Nations Concentration This program involves community-based practicum.
Supporting Aboriginal Graduate Enhancement (SAGE) Program The program is coordinated by the Indigenous Education Institute of Canada at UBC with four cohorts strategically located across the province (Vancouver, Victoria, Kelowna and Prince George). The program provides a supportive network for Aboriginal graduate students who meet to share experiences and receive advice from each other and from visiting speakers.
The T'skel Graduate Studies Program Provides students the opportunity to develop expertise needed for First Nations schools and other educational contexts.
Aboriginal Graduate Student Program (master's and doctorate) in Fisheries

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