At Royal Roads University, we’re proud to share our history with the Coast Salish people, our local First Nations community. We share much more than the land the university is on. We understand the value of living in a sustainable manner. We appreciate the world around us, and work together to build communities. We are grateful to the Coast Salish people for sharing their traditions and teachings about our role in society, community, and nature.
Our involvement with Aboriginal students began in July 1996, when Royal Roads University was established and the first cohort was launched. Michelle Corfield, from the Nuu-chah-nulth Nation, was one of our first Aboriginal students and she became so inspired through our program that she went on to complete her doctorate. Like Michelle, hundreds of Aboriginal students are now alumni of Royal Roads’ graduate and undergraduate programs. Our ongoing relationship with Aboriginal students and communities is an important pillar in extending our educational reach beyond the classroom experience.
Our mission is to honour our First Nations friends by continuing to build and strengthen our relationship with the indigenous communities around the world.
Coming Together to Help One Another
At Royal Roads University, we welcome aboriginal students and we’ve created a number of programs designed specifically to support our shared respect for the value of community. In addition to our full selection of degree programs, we also offer customized training programs to allow prospective students to discover meaningful and practical tools to help preserve the cultural significance and manage community resources.
Some of the training opportunities include:
- Furthering the work of the Centre for Livelihoods and Ecology (CLE), which has assisted, through research and contract training, numerous Aboriginal participants in their programs.
- Expanding what we offer through the Centre for Applied Leadership and Training, we have included “Digital Storytelling using Creative Technologies”, “Indigenous Speakers Series of Gifted Writers, Artists and Scholars”, and "Youth Engagement and Leadership Training.” All offered through the Indigenous Development program.
- Offering Aboriginal cultural-related courses and certificate programs through Continuing Studies. These include language and knowledge, cultural understanding, and practice and skill based courses, such as “Conflict Resolution: Building on Cultures of Peace and Harmony” offered in conjunction with the British Columbia Treaty Commission.
Some examples include:
- Digital Story Telling using Creative Technologies for capturing traditional knowledge and cultural practices or creating new stories
- Youth Engagement and Leadership Training for advancing learning opportunities
- Governance Capacity Training for Chief and Council
- Conflict Resolution: Building on Cultures of Peace and Harmony
- Economic Development, Environmental Stewardship, Land Use and Traditional Use Studies
- Leadership and Management Workshops for Community Members
- Aboriginal Alumni engagement opportunities
- Tse Tsa Watle Aboriginal Engagement Series
- Indigenous Speakers Series of Gifted Writers, Artists and Scholars
Contact an Enrolment Advisor
If you have questions about program admissions or program requirements, our Indigenous Development programs, or if you would like to learn more about participating in a learning community, please email RRU Indigneous Development.