The Native Education College on Vancouver’s East Side will remain open despite continued financial difficulties, Chief David Walkem, board chair for the NEC, has announced.

“We’re not out of the woods yet,” Walkem told the Straight. “But the combined efforts of class grads and the community, the [First Nations] Leadership Council, other urban leaders, and the First Nations education steering committee has helped us work with the government to come up with a plan that we think will work to actually improve the support for the Native Education Centre.”

On June 18, the Straight reported that the 40-year-old NEC would be closing its doors as a result of changes in provincial government spending policies.

According to Walkem, the decision to remain open was made on July 23. The college’s board of directors approved an independent review body’s report on the school’s finances and an agreement was reached with the provincial government. The new deal provides for an additional $140,000 annually for the school.

The B.C Minister of Advanced Education’s office did not return the Straight’s request for an interview.

Walkem however, was quick to note that although the NEC will remain open, a financial review was still ongoing. The extent to which enrollment numbers and services at the school will be affected is yet to be determined.

“The government, I think, now appreciates just how important the services are that the Native Education Centre provides and is now willing to work with us to continue that service,” Walkem said

“I think we have an opportunity to move forward in a very positive way.”

The NEC has served the needs of Vancouver’s aboriginal community by providing postsecondary education and vocational training to the city’s Native people in a traditional longhouse setting.