W̱SÁNEĆ College Gains Full Post-Secondary Credentials

For leaders of the W̱SÁNEĆ Nation, watching their college sign a groundbreaking education agreement felt like witnessing their ancestors' dreams come true.

On May 15, 2026, W̱SÁNEĆ College and Camosun College formalized a partnership that lets W̱SÁNEĆ College deliver fully accredited post-secondary programs taught in the SENĆOŦEN language and grounded in W̱SÁNEĆ ways of knowing. Students can now earn recognized credentials without leaving their community or culture behind.

"The development of the College and what's taking place now is a dream come true for our past leaders," says Chief Curtis Olsen, a board member and former administrator of the W̱SÁNEĆ School Board. "They wanted advancement, to see our own high school offer the dogwood, and to be able to offer our own college programs."

The agreement gives W̱SÁNEĆ College full control over curriculum design while Camosun College provides academic support and credential recognition. Students receive the best of both worlds: education led by their own community that results in degrees accepted across British Columbia and beyond.

W̱SÁNEĆ College has been serving its community since 1990, but this partnership represents a major leap forward. Now students can pursue higher education while staying connected to their ancestral homelands, language, and traditions.

"By strengthening pathways to recognized credentials and centring SENĆOŦEN language and W̱SÁNEĆ ways of knowing, we are supporting learners in ways that reflect our values and our future," says Kendra Underwood, Director of W̱SÁNEĆ College.

The Ripple Effect

This partnership creates a powerful model for Indigenous-led education across Canada. It demonstrates how institutions can work together while respecting Indigenous jurisdiction and self-determination.

The agreement aligns with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and advances Truth and Reconciliation Commission calls to action around Indigenous language revitalization and culturally grounded curriculum. It proves that reconciliation can move beyond words into concrete action.

For W̱SÁNEĆ students, the impact is deeply personal. They can now pursue careers in fields like teaching, social work, and business while learning in their own language from their own community members.

Chief Abraham Pelkey, Chair of the W̱SÁNEĆ School Board, captured the moment's significance: "We are living the vision our Elders once shared—walking in our culture and traditions while standing strong in the world of education, creating a brighter future for generations to come."

The partnership builds on decades of collaboration between the two institutions, showing how sustained relationship-building creates lasting change.

As W̱SÁNEĆ College students walk across graduation stages in coming years, they'll carry both accredited credentials and the knowledge of their ancestors forward into the future.