Gitwinksihlkw, B.C. – The Wilp Wilx̱o’oskwhl Nisg̱a’a Institute (WWNI) and the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) signed a new 30-year federated agreement renewing a longstanding partnership in the delivery of academic programs in the Nass Valley.

For more than three decades, WWNI and UNBC have worked together to provide quality, accessible and culturally appropriate post-secondary education to people living in northwestern B.C. The partnership allows students to stay close to home while pursuing university degrees and certificates rooted in Nisg̱a’a knowledge, language and culture.

On Sept.19, the WWNI Board of Directors, faculty and staff hosted representatives from UNBC for a signing ceremony of the new federated agreement, which occurred during the UNBC Board of Governors meeting held at the WWNI campus in Gitwinksihlkw.

“WWNI grew out of a shared community vision to ensure the survival of Nisg̱a’a language and culture by forging strong partnerships to provide educational opportunities in the Nisg̱a’a Nation,” says WWNI Board Chair Sim’oogit Ax K’alk’an Arthur Azak. “Our relationship with UNBC honours that legacy and reflects a collective responsibility to provide young people with the tools they need to thrive – in their culture, their communities and the wider world.”

Early on in the affiliation, the two institutions collaborated closely to offer Canada’s first Bachelor of Arts degree in First Nations Studies, followed by a Master of Arts in the same field, and more recently launched of the Bachelor of Arts in Nisg̱a’a Language Fluency in the fall of 2024. WWNI currently has a Master of Arts cohort in First Nations Studies - Nisg̱a’a Studies. This is the second cohort for the program. A third cohort will begin in 2026.

This new agreement continues to remove operational barriers to students and expands bilateral learning opportunities. Students enrolled at UNBC will continue to take WWNI’s Nisg̱a’a language and culture courses towards their Bachelor of Arts degrees.

“This longstanding partnership has opened educational pathways to generations of learners, transforming lives and strengthening communities,” says WWNI President and CEO Dr. Deanna Nyce. “It’s a model of education that places community at its heart. Renewing this agreement reflects the deep trust, respect and shared commitment between WWNI and UNBC to create lasting, positive change.”

The agreement also lays out commitments related to advancing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, as well as meaningful responses to Truth and Reconciliation and the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, specifically those calling for changes in education, research, health and well-being, and Indigenous language and culture.

"In looking ahead to the next 30 years, this enduring partnership shows what’s possible when institutions work together in a spirit of respect and co-leadership. WWNI’s efforts to open doors to all kinds of education – from academic and continuing education to vocational and technical training – is truly inspiring,” says Acting UNBC President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Bill Owen. “The region’s commitment to education inspires individuals to begin their journey, those individuals inspire others and the learning never ends – translating into sustainable and empowered communities.”