An exciting partnership between BMO and the University of the Fraser Valley’s Peace and Reconciliation Centre (PARC) is set to benefit the Collaboratorium — providing UFV students with research training and practical experience in a way that benefits the communities around them.

At a celebration on Tuesday, June 25, on the UFV Chilliwack campus, BMO will officially announce a generous donation over five years to support the Collaboratorium. The celebration starts at 11:30 am and includes a PARC student showcase, Indigenous drumming, a panel discussion with students and community partners, and refreshments.

Launched as a pilot project in 2021, the BMO Collaboratorium will now become a fully funded research organization, guided by newly appointed Research Coordinator, Leanne Jarrett. Half of the partnerships that have been co-created as a result of the BMO Collaboratorium are with Indigenous communities.

“We are very proud of the work that’s been done and the partnerships that have been fostered through the Collaboratorium, and we’re thrilled to celebrate this generous contribution by BMO,” says UFV President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Joanne MacLean. “This partnership allows us to build on the solid foundation that’s been set in place, providing more opportunities for UFV students and impactful research for our many community partners.”

The Collaboratorium was created by PARC Director Dr. Keith Carlson to provide community organizations access to sophisticated research at a fraction of the cost of a corporate consultant. The idea for the Collaboratorium came from a series of discussions Carlson had with not-for-profits, First Nations groups, and municipalities. He found that they had a list of research projects they wanted done, but not the budget.

“Or they lacked the in-house capacity to train a student, develop a research project, and provide the kind of supervision a student needs,” Carlson explains. “I came out of those discussions thinking, ‘Why couldn’t a publicly funded university do this if community partners were willing to pay for student internships?’”

Through the Collaboratorium, at a cost of $12,000, community partners receive 14 weeks of access to a paid student intern who have completed intensive methodology training and has the skills to design and execute a research plan with measurable timelines and outcomes.

“The Collaboratorium is unique with the combination of value and quality research it provides for Indigenous communities and other partners,” Dr. Carlson says, adding that half of the community partnerships have been established with Indigenous communities like Matsqui First Nation, Sumas First Nation, and Seabird Island First Nation.

The work of Carlson and the Collaboratorium was recognized in 2023 with Heritage Abbotsford’s Outstanding BC Heritage Award in Indigenous and Diverse Cultures.

In addition to hiring a research coordinator, BMO funding will help to seed partnerships for community groups that may not have the budget for the full student internship. The funding will ensure that students work with equipment (laptop computers, scanners, etc.) that is up-to-date, and will help them with travel expenses. This partnership will also be celebrated as part of UFV’s 50^th anniversary celebrations – honouring the past, celebrating the present, and co-creating the future 50 Years Forward.

“With a coordinator in place, we’ll have the ability work year-round with our community partners to apply for grant funding and assist with preliminary consultation,” Carlson says. “We’ll be able to better keep these partnerships engaged and connected.

“This is going to make a big difference.”

UFV and BMO have cultivated a collaborative partnership since 1999, aimed at enhancing the student experience and ensuring their long-term success. To date, BMO has contributed $1.03 million to UFV, including sponsorships, and student awards.

BMO continues its work engaging with Indigenous customers, communities, and colleagues through education, employment, and economic empowerment. As of September 2023, BMO has contributed $19 million in donations and pledges to Indigenous causes across Canada, including $5.1 million in educational awards and scholarships.

BMO also releases an annual Indigenous Partnerships and Progress Report titled wîcihitowin, which is a nehiyawewin/Cree term meaning “helping and supporting each other.” The report highlights BMO’s partnerships with and commitment to Indigenous communities with inspiring stories from indigenous customers, employees, and community leaders.

Download the 2023 report at this link.

If you, or someone you know, is interested in participating in the 2025 Collaboratorium or would like to learn more, email PARCcollab@ufv.ca.