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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