NVIT's Reason for being

The NVIT Vision:

Our Collective Vision for the institution is that NVIT:

• becomes the school of choice for Aboriginal students because it has a reputation for producing quality graduates;
• offers an extensive choice of programs relevant to the interests and needs of Aboriginal students and communities;
• provides a rich educational and cultural campus environment in which to learn and work;
• has the active and dedicated leadership of a First Nation Board of Governors, and a qualified and committed staff, the majority of which are Aboriginal;
• successfully serves as a catalyst to the Aboriginal communities in the quest for education, development and greater self-determination.

The NVIT Mission:

To provide quality Aboriginal education and support services appropriate to student success and community development.

To carry out this mission NVIT will contribute the following outcomes (subject to available resources):

a)      Comprehensiveness:  A comprehensive range of courses and programs relevant to Aboriginal communities, including the broad areas of:

-         adult basic education
-         vocational/trades/apprenticeship
-         career/technical
-         academic/university transfer
-         collaborative degrees
-         community education
-         continuing studies

b)      Community Development:  A programming focus on Aboriginal community development by emphasizing the social, economic, land and governance development themes, and by remaining current with evolving related theory and community practice

c)      Innovation and Flexibility:  Accessible education through flexible and innovative delivery methods including on-campus, online, collaborative and contract programs, an extended instructors pool, and satellite campuses where feasible to support off-campus instruction

d)      Institutional Collaboration and Partnerships:  Collaborative approaches to program development and delivery with public and private post-secondary institutions, school districts, Aboriginal organizations and communities, government agencies, or industry

e)      Accredited Courses and Programs:  Provincially accredited learning under NVIT’s own authority that is transferable or recognized on a laddered, course-by-course, or block transfer/recognition basis  by other public post-secondary institutions or  by mandated provincial certification or accreditation bodies

f)        Elders and Culture:  Aboriginal culture, views and traditions integrated into the curriculum and delivery of programs and services through the leadership of NVIT’s Elders and the founding communities

g)      Student Success:  An institution open to all learners interested in Aboriginal community development and student success that is supported through encouragement of a holistic education that addresses the mental, spiritual, emotional and physical dimensions of an individual 
 

The NVIT Values:

The overarching value that NVIT promises to uphold is a commitment to Aboriginal cultures and traditions. To ensure continual support of this commitment, NVIT embraces the following values:

• respect for the dignity, rights, cultures, beliefs of all people;
• the continual growth and development of individuals and communities;
• honesty and trust in relationships;
• openness in communication;
• balance and harmony in all activities;
• critical self-examination and a willingness to admit both strengths and weaknesses;
• people making decisions for themselves;
• care and support for others and respect for the earth; and
• accountability to ourselves, the Elders, the students, the communities and to the provincial government.

The NVIT Distinctive Competencies:

NVIT is unique in the post-secondary system because we have distinctive qualities. The distinctive qualities that NVIT continues to work toward and preserve are as follows:

• it is a First Nation governed public post-secondary institution;
• educational programs and services are reflective of Aboriginal perspectives, values and beliefs;
• Elders are on campus to guide and support staff and students;
• the majority of its staff is Aboriginal;
• it has knowledge and expertise relative to Aboriginal issues, local, national, and international, historic and contemporary;
• it offers a learning and work environment that allows for the free expression and practice of Aboriginal values and ways; and
• it has the ability to deliver programs in communities.