Prince George, BC – Ties between the University of Northern British Columbia and the Lheidli T’enneh Nation are being strengthened.

UNBC President Dr. Daniel Weeks was joined Friday by Lheidli T’enneh Chief Dominic Frederick and a group of Elders to recognize the important relationship that UNBC and the Lheidli T’enneh share.     

“We are happy to continue to collaborate and strengthen our ties with UNBC,” said Chief Frederick. “Today is another example of recognizing the Lheidli T’enneh traditional territory that the University’s Prince George campus is situated within.”

A new sign was unveiled at the campus entrance on University Way. It’s written in the Dakelh (Carrier) language, meaning “House of Learning.” A new flag pole has also been installed in the rose garden in the bus loop where the Lheidli T’enneh flag will now permanently fly. Finally, the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between UNBC and the Lheidli T’enneh marks a statement of relationship building between UNBC and the Lheidli T’enneh for a collaborative future.

Lheidli T'enneh Councillor Dolleen Logan (from left), Chief Dominic Frederick, UNBC President Dr. Daniel Weeks and UNBC Senior Advisor to the President on Aboriginal Relations Rheanna Robinson sign the Memorandum of Understanding.

“These permanent fixtures on campus are just more examples of how the UNBC community and the Lheidli T’enneh can continue to build a co-operative, long-lasting and mutually beneficial relationship where principles of respect, communication, trust and understanding will lead to positive and meaningful collaborations and partnerships,” said UNBC President Dr. Daniel Weeks. “The fixtures also signify several of our key core values of inclusiveness and diversity which reflect the spirit of the University’s motto – 'En Cha Huna (he/she also lives).”

UNBC President Dr. Daniel Weeks and Lheidli T'enneh Chief Dominic Frederick raise the Lheidli T'enneh flag at the Prince George campus.

The Elders worked tirelessly for the last year sharing their knowledge and expertise on the project with Dr. Rheanna Robinson, UNBC’s Senior Advisor to the President on Aboriginal Relations.

“It is exciting to see formal representations of UNBC’s relationship with the Lheidli T’enneh and the acknowledgement of the territory being celebrated,” said Robinson. “It has been a privilege and honour to work with the Lheidli T’enneh Elders on the language initiative, and the Memorandum of Understanding creates the foundation for a strong and resilient future of collaborative engagements with the Lheidli T’enneh community.”

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