Musqueam students grad from new program

Congratulations go to the five members of our graduating class of the Continuing Studies’ Health Care Assistant Program! The recent graduates were celebrated at their graduation ceremony on June 6 and at the Aboriginal Student Honouring Ceremony, where representatives from Langara College and the Musqueam nation recognized their success.

“I am very honoured to have been able to participate in this program as it is part of a stepping stone path that paves the way for future generations to be able to gain greater education and greater chances in life,” said recent graduate Tracy Sparrow. “I am thankful and grateful to all who had a hand in ensuring that this program was a success.”

Launched in October 2016, the Continuing Studies program trained students to provide professional care in various assisted living facilities and home care environments. Langara worked with the Musqueam First Nation to establish the program, which would prepare students to provide elder care in their community or to pursue a career in health care.

“It was an incredibly proud moment for our graduates,” said Patricia Woods, program coordinator. “Their success in this program will allow them to feel confident in both their skillset and their capacity for personal growth going forward.”

Woods says that the goal of the partnership program is to build educational pathways and connect with the Musqueam community, particularly the younger members, in order to establish a natural progression to post-secondary education.

“This program represents our first educational partnership with Musqueam First Nation,” said Woods. “We’re looking forward to building on our success and developing further collaborative education partnerships.”

Daniel Thorpe,
Dean, Continuing Studies