Our mission is to provide Indigenous students from rural and remote communities with an introduction to the University.
To enable Indigenous people to take their rightful place in the Canadian economy as the original Canadian entrepreneurs.
Our values inform all our actions in achieving our mission and vision:
Tribal Resources Investment Corporation (TRICORP) and Gustavson School of Business collaborated to create the Opening My World of Learning (OWL) program. The initiative, designed to provide recent Indigenous high school graduates with a six-week immersive UVic program, allowed them to explore university education, campus life and Indigenous cultural experiences.
Launched in 2019 at UVic, the inaugural OWL offered exciting opportunities for students from northwestern BC. They resided on campus and attended university courses such as Introduction to Business with an Indigenous perspective, Indigenous Studies, History, Fine Arts and Social Science. Cultural experiences included, joining the Mini-U students for dinner at the First Peoples House, followed by a medicine bag workshop in the Ceremonial Hall.
The objective of the program was to provide Indigenous students from rural and remote communities with an introduction to the University. A graduate remarked:
The overall experience has boosted my confidence in my ability to attend post-secondary. It had also eliminated much doubt that I had in my ability to pursue a higher education.
As a result of the program, 92.31% of the participants plan to continue post-secondary education now or in the future.
One graduate commented:
It was such an amazing wonderful experience. It took me out of my comfort zone and taught me so many new things about Business as well as Astronomy. I enjoyed the coursework and the instructors were an amazing plus! They were all so friendly and helpful, and so kind and understanding compared to the picture people have given me about Higher Academic institutions. It eased my fears and I fell in love with Victoria. I feel like I got to experience what it would truly feel like living on campus and away from family. I’m happy I decided to apply for it.
In working with Richard for many years, including on the creation of our logo, we were graciously given license to use his painting of the OWL seen in all of the images above. Richard's art perfectly embodies the program's components as students transition from high school and eventually open their world to learning at University.
Richard was born in Whitehorse, Yukon Territory in 1959 and belongs to Northern Tuchone Tribe. Richard is a self-taught artist. He originally started painting wildlife at an early age along with painting his favourite rock star or sports idol. In 1978, Richard moved to Vancouver.
Copyright © 2024 OWL Program - All Rights Reserved.
All Indigenous artwork done by Richard Shorty.
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