It’s a long way from providing mobile education in remote communities to operating four campuses, including new on-site housing for students.

To mark 50 years, North Island College is taking to the Internet to tell these and other stories, while also marking another major event this September with the opening of its new housing, tul’al’txw. Through the three-month digital celebration, the college will reflect its journey, connect with north Island communities and inspire future students.

In this anniversary year, the college has launched a dedicated website landing page that encapsulates history from these past 50 years and includes a new video that provides many glimpses into life at NIC and where we are headed.

The information also forms the basis of an exhibit celebrating NIC’s past and its future. Hearkening back to the early days of bringing education on the road, the exhibit itself will be hitting the road to visit the different campuses this fall.

Some of the highlights include:

  • A timeline with historical moments like the early days when NIC operated out of a portable trailer, converted school buses, even a former whaling vessel; NIC’s Indigenization work being honoured by Maclean’s magazine; and achievements of NIC students like those representing B.C. in a 2016 video conference with the federal finance minister.
  • Features on alumni, research like the work of the Centre for Applied Research, Technology and Innovation (CARTI), international education and the Office of Global Engagement (OGE), Elders in Residence, the NIC Foundation and its support of students, the Youth Academy and community partners like ElderCollege.
  • Information on each campus, including its origins, programming and connections with the community.

The college began in May 1975 as part of a provincial initiative to expand post-secondary education.

From the outset, NIC responded to people’s needs around the region, and to this day, the college works to provide options that will best prepare communities and their residents with the skills they need for the future—supporting them one student at a time.

  • You can follow the campaign as it unfolds at nic.bc.ca/50 or Instagram and Facebook (@NorthIslandCollege) or YouTube.