River of knowledge: First nations post-secondary success along Lisims.

My interest in the Master of Arts program is to study the impact that the Wilp Wilx̲o’oskwhl Nisga’a has made on the Nisga’a Nation by providing post-secondary education. This thesis focuses on the educational journeys of four students while attending the Wilp Wilx̲o’oskwhl Nisga’a Institute and how they were able to succeed in obtaining their Bachelor of Arts degrees within their own traditional territory. Stories of success are important to hear, so that others can see education is not achieved overnight, but is a series of small steps taken every day. These educational journeys are metaphorically equated to a journey along the K̲’alii Aksim Lisims River that runs through the territorial lands of the Nisga’a. There are four classifications of action that organize my presentation of each student’s journey in education: 1) Taking the Helm, Exploring Options 2) Life Currents of the Student 3) Learning to Paddle 4) Coming Ashore. Based on the Lisims (Nass River) these themes emphasize how life experiences involve different water currents and depths, runoffs, reflections, and routes.