Approved/revised: September 5, 2012
NVIT is BC’s Aboriginal Public Post Secondary institution. Founded by the five First Nations Bands of the Nicola Valley in 1983, NVIT was created with a vision of providing a place for Aboriginal students to attend a post secondary-institute to study within a supportive Aboriginal environment.
NVIT is an Aboriginal community grounded institution that greatly relies on the NVIT Elders’ Council to guide, support and lend leadership to students, employees and the NVIT Board of Governors.
POLICY
Nicola Valley Institute of Technology’s policy framework consists of one external and three internal categories:
External
1) Legislation The College and Institute Act is the legislation under which NVIT was established and is required to operate. This Act, along with other relevant legislation such as the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and the Public Sector Employers Act, delineates public policy with which NVIT must comply. Provincial legislation is the prerogative of the Government of British Columbia and is included here for visibility of NVIT’s public policy context.
Internal
2) Board Board bylaws and governance policies developed and approved by the Board of Governors.
3) Education Council Policies established by NVIT’s Education Council within its legislated authority.
4) President Policies developed and approved under the President’s authority.
Relationships, particularly those with the aboriginal community, are a key component of NVIT’s policy framework. NVIT relies heavily on the Elders Council to provide advice and guidance on maintaining positive relationships and practicing respect, discipline, leadership and good medicine.
NVIT’s internal policy framework supports the institution in achieving its reason for being, establishes the Board’s governance philosophy, and provides uniform guidelines and interpretation for i) governance, ii) educational and administrative operations, and iii) actions and conduct across the organization.