Kory WIlson

Background

Kory Wilson was born in Sydney, BC. She grew up with her parents and her sister Jody. She's a member of Kwakwaka’wakw Nation (Musgamagw Tsawataineuk and Laich-Kwil-Tach) and the We Wai Kai Nation (Quadra Island). She moved to Vancouver Island at an early age because both of her parents attended the university of Victoria. She primarily grew up in Comox, but also lived in Vancouver. She found out about Pearson College through her head of school who gave her a small pamphlet. Originally Kory had no intention of applying let alone attending Pearson, however, her mom forced her to fill out the application for practice. One day she was called down to the principal's office and informed that she was invited for an interview. Begrudgingly she skipped Sunday of winter provincials to attend this interview once again persuaded to attend by her mom. During the whole day of interviews this was still just an opportunity for Kory to practice interview skills, however, at the end of the day she got to talk to two former Pearson college students and following that Pearson was her dream. She was fearful her previous lack of desire to attend Pearson previously was apparent in the interview, however, she got accepted days later. Pearson influenced her life path and provided her a mechanism to share he voice and fight for indigenous preservation and equality. Following Pearson she attended SFU studying kinesiology. Kory originally wanted to be a doctor but changed her mind and attended law school at UBC.

Kory and her sister Jody

Kory with her daughter Kaija

Kory with her co-years of East House or Harambee house at the time

Career and role in first nations community

Following law school, Kory had two children. After having Kaija and Kaylene, Kory went on to article. Teaching had always been a prominent part of Korys life and culture. Her community growing up relied on teaching and sharing, her grandparents, parents and whole community served as teachers for Kory. Furthermore Kory always found herself teaching in her daily life wether through swim coaching, track coaching, or assisting handicapped individuals leadership and learning were at the core of her day to day life. So when she was offered an opportunity to develop the aboriginal studies program at Langara she stopped practicing law and entered the educational industry. She has now worked in education for around 20 years. Kory's career has been about raising for aboriginals and paving the way for equality and that is exactly what she has done. Kory is on several boards, committees and initiatives to help fulfill her goal. After working at Langara Kory also worked at Vancouver Community College as the Director of Aboriginal Education & Community Engagement. This meant she provided leadership that improves First Nations student recruitment and participation, one way she did this was through managing $1.5 million dollars of grant money and budget for aboriginal affairs. Additionally she oversaw and managed Aboriginal Gathering places on campus, developed relationships with aboriginal communities and organizations, as well as insured aboriginal representation. With in BCIT Kory is involved in the Rick Hansen Foundation discussing Indigenous Review and Outreach Plans, Cultural sensitivity training, self-empowerment & Aboriginal Awareness, and First Nations Community Development Workshops and presentations among many other things. She also wrote “First Peoples: A Guide for Newcomers”, “Cultural Property Resource Guide”, and “Aboriginal Employment Equity Report" all which help raise awareness for indigenous needs and also help provide individual aboriginals with a platform for success. She says many people in her community contribute in different ways with the skills they are given and because she is so lucky to have grown up with parents who expected her to get a university degree she has a different skill set that she is privileged to have and uses this to raise awareness and help her community in unique ways. The reason she joined the Pearson board of directors as the was primarily to create a positive relationship scia'new people and help develop the reconciliation plan.

Kory speaking at BCIT about vision for addressing indigenous issues and awareness

Kory during walk for reconciliation event

Kory at her New Years celebration

Role as a First Nations Leader

  • Kory was raised to push boundaries and to always fight for equality

  • She wants to create a better Canada for her kids to grow up in as First Nations

  • Her achievements have direct positive impacts on our community and many communities across Canada

  • She constantly pushes boundaries and tries to redefine societal perception of Indigeneity to benefit future generations


Citations:

“British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) - Empowering People, Shaping BC, and Inspiring Global Progress.” Innovations Of The World, 23 Sept. 2020, innovationsoftheworld.com/british-columbia-institute-of-technology-bcit-empowering-people-shaping-bc-and-inspiring-global-progress/.

Leszczynski, Jocelyne. “BCIT Welcomes Kory Wilson as Executive Director, Indigenous Initiatives and Partnerships.” BCIT News, 21 May 2019, commons.bcit.ca/news/2016/01/kory-wilson-executive-director-indigenous-initiatives-and-partnerships/.

Wilson, Kory. Interview, 7 Nov. 2020.