Northwest BC – On Friday, September 26, the Education Council at Coast Mountain College (CMTN) unanimously passed the following revised learning and inclusion statement, which will appear on all official CMTN course outlines beginning with the Winter 2026 semester:
At Coast Mountain College, we recognize and honour the deep relationships between Indigenous Peoples and the lands where our campuses are located. Our teaching is guided by the First Peoples Principles of Learning, which emphasize respect, reciprocity, and the interconnectedness of all knowledge. We are committed to creating inclusive learning environments that reflect and support the diverse cultures, traditions, and values of learners, and to walking alongside Indigenous communities in meaningful and ongoing ways.
The new statement was proposed to better reflect relational and culturally grounded values, making the commitments feel more lived, inclusive, and actionable. It was put forward by Kāshā (Julie Morris), Learning Transformation Specialist - Indigenization, who says, “The goal is to make the language feel more relational and reflective of the First Peoples Principles of Learning (FPPL), while also being more inclusive of the diverse cultures and values learners bring. The revised version highlights the importance of ongoing relationships with Indigenous communities and a commitment to respectful, reciprocal learning environments.”
Kāshā’s motivation for proposing the revised statement came from wanting a better alignment with the First Peoples Principles of Learning, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action, and CMTN’s Strategic Plan.
“We wanted something that gently but clearly reminds us that learning isn’t just about content, it’s about connection. It’s about walking alongside Indigenous communities with respect and responsibility. The Five Rs (Respect, Relevance, Reciprocity, Responsibility, and Relationships) are at the heart of this, and we wanted that reflected in every learning space at CMTN,” says Kāshā.
The new version softens institutional language and adopts a tone that invites shared learning. In addition, by articulating the FPPL, the new statement aims to help instructors and learners better understand and embody those values in action.
Kāshā says seeing this statement adopted by Education Council, the advisory body to the College Board on major institution-wide issues and educational policy, feels like a deep breath.
“It feels like we’re moving in a good way with integrity, with intention,” she says. "I feel seen. I feel hopeful."
###
Media Contact:
Heather Bastin
Executive Director, External Relations
hbastin@coastmountaincollege.ca
Mobile: 250-615-3855