THE INFORMER PAGE 6

JANUARY 28, 1992

The South Campus of Capilano College at Sechelt, located in the Sechelt Indian Band’s House of Hewhiwus complex.

Sechelt Campus Expands Offerings

.. The Sechelt Campus and the Sechelt Indian Band
are delighted to announce the successful expansion of
Capilano College programs and services on the Sun-
shine Coast. As part of its expansion, Sechelt has
increased its offerings in University Transfer courses, in
Business, in Adult Basic Education, as well as in ARC
and Counselling services.

Capilano College in Sechelt began in 1977 as a
small up-the-stairs campus, offering just ABE (known
then as BTSD). A number of moves to various store-
front locations followed, until the College moved in fall
1987 into its present location on Inlet Avenue. ABE
continued to be the mainstay, along with various exten-
sion courses and three courses per term from the Aca-
demic and Career/Vocational areas. In 1986, the Aquac-
ulture program was added. Other programs were of-
fered periodically, as funding would permit. Among
such programs offered now are Long Term Care Aide,
Women’s Job Re-entry, and a number of Business Office
Training courses. Now the Sechelt campus is, in fact
two campuses, and where there were only three credit
courses per term, there are nine!

The transition began in spring 1990 when the
Sechelt Indian Band and the College began to discuss
joining forces to increase post-secondary offerings on the
Sunshine Coast. At that time, the band was developing
a facility in Sechelt to house its administrative offices,
as well as classrooms, a theatre and additional office
space. Discussions proceeded with the understanding

that the band would provide classroom space and the
College would seek funding from the Advanced Educa-
tion Ministry for additional programs.

By November 1990, a draft proposal for a Business/
Academic Transition program on the Sunshine Coast
was submitted to the Advanced Education Ministry.
Academic Dean John Waters and Career/Vocational
Dean John Potts worked with representatives from the
Indian band, Canada Employment and School District
46 to develop the proposal.

The Spring term passed, but no word came as to
funding. On May 29, 1991, the Sechelt Band’s magnifi-
cent complex, the House of Hewhiwus (the House of
Chiefs), opened. The band invited the community to the
official ceremonies, and the entire community attended.
So did various “official” guests, representatives from the
federal and provincial governments, and from the
municipal governments of the Sunshine Coast. Speeches
were made, the Honorable Donald Crombie was made
an Honorary Chief of the Sechelt Nation, the band
provided a magnificent feast, but no word came from
the Ministry. The complex now was the new home for
the band offices. It rented office space to Canada Em-
ployment. Its splendid theatre opened with a memo-
rable performance by Margot Kane, the gift shop and
museum opened, but the building designated as “the
College” sat empty.

In late August, the news came. Funding would be

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