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PITZER - VIU PARTNERSHIP

Pitzer has enjoyed a wonderful partnership with Vancouver Island University (VIU) of British Columbia, Canada. VIU serves students and works with elders of a number of First Nations, including Cowachin, Snuneymuxw, and Sliammin Nations. VIU's Aboriginal Mentorship Program, “Community Cousins”, has collaborated with Pitzer's Summer "Native Summer to College Program" in mentor training and promoting international Indigenous and decolonizing and unsettling relationships.

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Supported by a U.S. State Department grant, in the 2016-2017 academic year and summer students, staff, faculty, and community elders from each institution visited the other institution, and jointly participated in mentor training as well as the annual summer Tribal Journeys canoe gathering held in the Pacific Northwest. See pictures here

In May 2018 Pitzer and VIU held a three day review and visioning session, producing two "next step" goals:

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1) Sharing our challenges and learning as we both continue forward with the Kairos Blanket Exercise

2) Facilitating deeper supportive relationships between Indigenous mentors from the campuses 

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Inquiries from potential funders are welcome!

We look forward to continuing relationships with Community Cousins Director Sylvia Scow, Aboriginal Education Director Sharon Hobenshield, and Snuneymuxw Elder-in-Residence Gary Manson.

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