Dr. Lynne Davis’ Keynote speech can be found in full on the Resources-Videos page. Below, a summary: Posted by Carol Mammel Dr. Lynne Davis from Trent University spoke to the profound sharing, as she prepared to give her presentation. Beautiful, beautiful energy had begun the journey with its sacred beginning, with the sweat lodge, the […]
Senior Administrators felt that it was necessary to consult with Aboriginal advisors to get started. It was considered important to have Learning Place for First Nations, which most institutions have, and First Nations programming included in the strategic plan. Programs needed to be created that acknowledge multiple nations. Administrators noted that many departments within the […]
Staff (Caucus) observed that it was very easy to underestimate the challenges involved, and wondered how to make the curriculum more balanced for aboriginal students, and if there were a way to incorporate and promote understanding through staff training and development. It was suggested that ceremonial activities, like sweats, were important to indigenization, as they […]
Governance Students mentioned that it was difficult to make it through a system that talks about inclusion but that is backed by an infrastructure and policy that does not allow for inclusion: these issues are particularly extant within graduate studies, such as within Masters and PhD dissertation processes. Very often the students find themselves as […]
Students principally spoke to the questions of addressing misconceptions of what indigenization meant: they felt that a separate gathering space was needed where they could feel at home and culturally safe, feeling they could be themselves and not be judged. Also addressed were issues of structural discrimination typical of a Eurocentric post-secondary institution: mentioned as […]
Personal & Institutional Reflections on Indigenizing the Academy Workshop Breakout I Breakout Group 5 (UFV Caucus) Indigenizing Challenges It’s easy to underestimate the challenges involved Family function and influence Can we make education a better experience by understanding how the family has evolved, and what it takes to make the families functional? Balancing curriculum for […]
Sr. Administrators Governance, Partnerships, and Building Alliances How do aboriginal groups work with post-secondary institutions? How do Indigenous and non-indigenous faculty build alliances to support indigenization? A need to work more closely Band funding an issue Academy not always neutral: funding — goes to community or institution? More representation needed at all levels: […]
Personal and Institutional Reflections on Indigenizing the Academy Workshop I Breakout Group 7 (Senior Administrators 2) A need to work more closely with all levels With good and bad past history institutions have some ‘trust building’ to do with First Nations communities. How to indigenize? Need a definition Need to start with Aboriginal advisors Have […]