Indigenous Student Advising

research, aboriginal student advisors

Indigenous Programs & Services at UBC’s Okanagan campus has designated Indigenous Student Advisors to provide support to self-identified First Nation, Métis, and Inuit students starting from their UBC application and throughout their time as a student. Learn more about Indigenous self-identification

An Indigenous Student Advisor can help you navigate your academic journey with a holistic approach, including academic, cultural, social and physical considerations. We also provide informed assistance for matters that relate specifically to Indigenous students, including Third Party Sponsorship, and admissions pathways.

Meet with an Advisor

Our Indigenous Student Advisors are able to support you through your specific program of study. To meet with an advisor, please either submit the request for an appointment form, drop in to the Indigenous Centre (UNC 210), or email an advisor directly.

Request an appointment

General Inquiries | indigenous.programs@ubc.ca

Aboriginal Access Studies

Cody Isaac | cody.isaac@ubc.ca

Applied Science, Science, Management, Sustainability

Joel Liman | joel.liman@ubc.ca

Arts, Fine Arts, Media Studies

Nikki Marchand | nikki.marchand@ubc.ca

Health & Exercise Sciences, Nursing

Dani Valgardson | dani.valgardson@ubc.ca

Nsyilxcn, NłeɁkepmx, and St’át’imc Language Fluency Degree Programs

Ryan Conneely | ryan.conneely@ubc.ca

Graduate Student Advising

Graduate Programs (general)

Master’s and PhD applicants and students may contact the Indigenous Graduate Student Advisor for advocacy, referrals, general support and questions. Note that program-specific advising is provided by your designated Program Coordinator and/or faculty supervisor.

Eli Kelly | eli.kelly@ubc.ca

Tuition sponsorship

If you are being sponsored for your tuition, your band or association will need to submit a Sponsorship Third-Party Billing Form. Please consult the UBC Okanagan Academic Calendar for tuition fee payment dates and deadlines.

It is your responsibility to pay your tuition and fees on time. If you do not pay your tuition by these dates, you may be placed on financial hold. To pay your tuition fees, you can use any of the methods that you used to pay your acceptance deposit. For more information on paying tuition and fees, please consult the General Information and Policy on Fees section in the UBC Okanagan Academic Calendar.

Sponsorship Third Party Billing Forms

If you are being sponsored for your textbooks,

  • You may only buy textbooks from the UBC Bookstore located in the ADMIN building.
  • You will need to inform the cashier that you are being sponsored because they will have a list of how much money you are allowed to spend. Make sure you bring your UBCcard ID, otherwise they will not be able to process your purchase.
  • It is your responsibility to contact your sponsor if your books end up costing more money than your sponsor has allotted for you. Ask your sponsor if they can cover these costs. If they agree to, they need to contact the bookstore again to authorize more money. Or, if it’s okay with your sponsor, you can buy the books and get reimbursed. If your sponsor will not cover the extra costs, you will have to pay for the books yourself.

Course or program withdrawal

If you are withdrawing from your program or course, please make note of course withdrawal information and deadlines. You may withdraw from a course before the withdrawal deadline and avoid academic penalty (a failing grade). You may still be eligible for a full or partial tuition fee refund if you withdraw before the appropriate withdrawal deadlines.

Course withdrawal may impact eligibility for student loans, sponsorship, student employment or other programs. Before withdrawing from a course, please connect with an Indigenous Student Advisor.