Vancouver Community College – More than a Certificate: A Journey in Kinship and Growth – ENC
December 19, 2025
At 56 years old, Roxanne Vandale embarked on a new chapter and graduated with a Certificate in Office Administration from Vancouver Community College (VCC). During this time, she also supported fellow students in the role of Indigenous Cousin. She shares on how she took a leap later in life and how kinship can extend beyond family.
Roxanne Vandale grew up in Fort St. John, BC, the youngest of six children to Métis parents who came from the Meadow Lake area in Saskatchewan. She worked in hospitality throughout her life and later started a business called Granny Nannies to help care for children; Roxanne also raised two children on her own, survived breast cancer, and found sobriety. But in 2014, she tragically lost her daughter, Chelsea.
Motivated by Chelsea’s own dream of completing post-secondary education and carrying her daughter’s red pencil case with her, Roxanne walked into VCC’s Broadway campus to pursue a Certificate in Office Administration. A Senior Indigenous Engagement Advisor introduced her to the VCC Indigenous Gathering Space and helped find funding to pay for her classes.
