While NVIT has been an Aboriginal public post-secondary institute since 1995, there were three earlier stages in the development of the institute. The First Nations communities in the Nicola Valley took the initial step in May 1983 when they contracted the British Columbia Institute of Technology to deliver a program in the Nicola Valley. Then commencing November 1, 1986 “Nicola Valley Institute of Technology” was certified as a Private Training Institute by the BC Ministry of Labour. This was followed by the Coldwater, Shackan, Nooaitch, Upper Nicola, and Lower Nicola Indian Bands creating a society and receiving the Certificate of Incorporation for “Nicola Valley Institute of Technology” under the Society Act of BC on June 2, 1987. NVIT’s status as a society ended when it was designated a public “provincial institute” under the College and Institute Act in 1995.
Nicola Valley Institute of Technology (NVIT) is a full independent member of BC’s public post-secondary education system with legislated authority to grant its own course credits and transcripts. NVIT offers innovative, relevant credentials for future First Nation leaders in the fields of Wellness, Governance, Land and Economic Development. These programs are guided by the commitment and vision of the Nicola Valley’s five local bands. This vision encompasses and honours First Nations traditional culture and values, and recognizes the need to balance these within the educational goals of the Institute’s curriculum. NVIT believes in a holistic approach to education whereby the student’s knowledge base is enhanced by those values unique to First Nations culture.
Since 1995 NVIT has added: Campus in 2002, Student Housing in 2007, Satellite campus in Burnaby in 2007, lecture theatre and daycare in 2010 and a Trades Training Facility 2015/16.
The five founding Bands of NVIT includes: Coldwater, Lower Nicola, Nooaitch, Shackan and Upper Nicola.