NEW PARTNERSHIP WITH CIBC WILL IMPROVE ACCESS AND EMPLOYABILITY OF INDIGENOUS LEARNERS AT INDIGENOUS INSTITUTES

The Indigenous Institutes Consortium (IIC) is very pleased to announce a partnership with the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC) to offer fourteen (14) new scholarships to Indigenous Institute students from the seven consortium member Institutes: Six Nations Polytechnic; Kenjgewin Teg; Oshki-Wenjack; Ogwehoweh Skills & Training Centre; Shingwauk Kinoomaage Gaamig; Anishinabek Education Institute; and IOHAHI:IO Akwesasne Education & Training Institute. There will be two scholarships available for each Institute per year for five (5) years. The scholarship will be available for its premiere intake in fall of 2023.

Since 2017, Indigenous Institutes in Ontario have been recognized as a foundational pillar of Post-Secondary Education systems alongside the province’s colleges and universities. Indigenous Institutes not only offer certificate and degree programming, but also high school completion, introductory trades, and other transferable credit courses that can be accessed from First Nation communities. Their programs are grounded in cultural awareness and informed by community leadership and Elders, often including the incorporation of language revitalization throughout curriculums. This scholarship will be available to any students pursuing education that falls under the broad theme of Community Development. “This is great because it provides maximum flexibility for learners,” enthuses Executive Director Marsha Josephs, “Nursing? Communities need healthcare. Early Childhood Education? Communities need daycares and schools. Business? Trades? Communities need entrepreneurs, skilled trades professionals and native community workers to build strong local economies.”

“CIBC is proud to partner with the IIC to help make education more accessible, flexible and inclusive for all,” says Jaimie Lickers, Senior Vice-President, Indigenous Markets, CIBC. “These 14 new scholarships for Indigenous Institute students will help make the ambitions of furthering education a reality and we are excited to be involved in this initiative.”

CIBC and IIC will be hosting virtual information sessions beginning in the fall of 2023 to share information about scholarship benefits. Benefits include enrollment and tuition fees, textbooks, and opportunities for mentorship and employment with CIBC. “It’s very exciting that soon, students will have such a good opportunity to receive education opportunities, and even employment in their communities. This is what community development looks like.” Rebecca Jamieson, Chair, Indigenous Institutes Consortium

ABOUT THE IIC

The Indigenous Institutes Consortium (IIC) represents the collective and collaborative efforts of its seven Indigenous-owned and operated education and training institutions across Ontario. Since 1994, the IIC has successfully raised the awareness and profiles of Member Indigenous institutions, learners, and communities.

FOR FURTHER INQUIRIES, PLEASE CONTACT:

Marsha Josephs
Executive Director
Indigenous Institutes Consortium
mjosephs@iicontario.ca
519-861-774

National Indigenous Education Symposium

October 16 – 18, 2023 | All Day

Ramada Plaza Downtown Regina
1818 Victoria Ave
Regina, Saskatchewan

We are pleased to announce the National Indigenous Education Symposium 2023, organized jointly by Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan) and the Indigenous Institutes Consortium (IIC) will take place October 16-18, 2023, in Regina, Saskatchewan, home to the nêhiyawak, Anihšināpēk, Dakota, Lakota, and Nakoda peoples, and the homeland of the Michif/Métis nation.

This unique symposium will explore the role leaders in Indigenous education play to close skills gaps and respond to the biggest challenges facing Canadian Society.  Over two and a half days, leaders in Indigenous and non-Indigenous education and other committed groups will share and reflect on a unified vision for promoting, protecting and valuing Indigenous culture, knowledge and history while sharing exemplary practices and programs that support the well-being, participation, engagement, and success of Indigenous learners.

Registration Opening Soon!

Additional Information

Organizer

Indigenous Institutes Ontario

Colleges & Institutes Canada

Visit Website

Contact Info

For program information

Marsha Josephs
mjosephs@iicontario.ca

Kathryn Moore
kmoore@collegesinstitutes.ca

For registration information

Marsha Josephs
mjosephs@iicontario.ca

Carla de Koning
cdekoning@collegesinstitutes.ca

Employment Opportunity

Position Title: Policy and Research Intern (Temporary Contract)
Reports to: Executive Director
Duration: July 1 to Sept 30 (possibility of extension)
Location: Remote
Pay Range: $27.00 per hour

Role:

•  Conducting research, jurisdictional scans, and provide analysis of emerging issues
• Conducting literature reviews, developing surveys and performing scans on topics in Indigenous
  postsecondary education
•  Writing and preparing proposals, briefings, reports, graphs
• Conducting quantitative and/or qualitative data analysis
• Daily monitoring of media releases and reports
• Participating in meetings with external partners
• Identify opportunities for growth and capacity building

Skills and Qualifications:

• A demonstrated interest in the Indigenous postsecondary sector, policy, and government
• Organized, self-motivated and able to work both independently and as part of a team in a remote
  work environment
• Quantitative and/or qualitative research experience
• Flexible and able to adapt to fast pace environment
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong interpersonal skills such as collaboration, critical thinking, and creativity
• Proficiency in Microsoft Outlook, Teams, Word and Excel

Educational and Professional Requirements

Currently enrolled in or recently graduated from an undergraduate, diploma/advanced diploma,
master’s or post-graduate program

About the Indigenous Institutes Consortium (IIC)

The IIC represents the collective and collaborative efforts of its seven Indigenous-owned and operated post-secondary education and training institutes across Ontario. We work collaboratively to improve the outcomes of First Nation learners and strengthen our communities by providing high-quality post-secondary education and training to Indigenous learners.

Contact

Marsha Josephs, Executive Director
mjosephs@iicontario.ca

View & Download!

Policy & Research Intern Job Description_FINAL

Thanks to collaborative, innovative funding from the province and education non-profits, member institutes of the Indigenous Institutes Consortium (IIC) will be developing and improving virtual learning in Ontario for Indigenous learners.

Following a historic $50-million investment in the Virtual Learning Strategy (VLS), the IIC formed a new partnership with eCampusOntario to advance the virtual capacity of Indigenous Institutes in Ontario through micro-credentials.

The total culminating amount granted to Indigenous Institutes for micro-credential course development is $398,340. Indigenous Institutes Kenjgewin Teg and Six Nations Polytechnic are official members of eCampusOntario and Six Nations Polytechnic will lead in the development of these micro-credential courses, following two successful expressions of interest (EOI).

“With the continued support of eCampusOntario and the Ministry of Colleges and Universities, Kenjgewin Teg is excited to welcome more learners as the Indigenous Institutes expand their virtual programming and credibility awareness,” said Stephanie Roy, President of Kenjgewin Teg.

Intended to drive growth and advancement in virtual learning across the province’s post-secondary institutions, the $50-million investment from the Ministry of Colleges and Universities (MCU) in partnership with eCampusOntario was announced on Dec. 11, 2020.

By January 2021, EOIs were put out and IIC members secured successful submissions in the Digital Fluency stream — a development and adoption of professional resources and supports for faculty and students to improve virtual teaching and learning.

Led by Six Nations Polytechnic, the IIC members will undertake the development of two new micro-credentials focused on Indigenous e-learning assessment strategies and Hybrid-flexible (Hyflex) design in Indigenous teaching and learning throughout 2021.

“With the development of two new micro-credentials focused in ‘Indigenous e-learning assessment strategies’ and ‘Hyflex design in Indigenous teaching and learning’, the Indigenous Institutes will be positioned as leaders in Ontario for virtual learning and new Indigenous-focused micro-credentials,” said Rebecca Jamieson, IIC Interim Chair and President/CEO of Six Nations Polytechnic.

Additionally, through advocacy of the IIC, a new position was created at eCampusOntario for a Virtual Learning Technical advisor. This position supports all Indigenous Institutes in virtual learning support, technological expertise and future improvements to their curricula and processes.

“eCampusOntario is very pleased to support Indigenous Institutes in realizing the benefit of virtual learning. Our partnership with the Indigenous Institutes Consortium is helping to ensure the development of high quality Indigenous-led virtual education content, while supporting increased capacity of Indigenous Institutes to continue to create and lead the development of virtual learning for the benefit of all learners,” said Robert Luke, CEO of eCampusOntario.

“The IIC recognizes the tremendous efforts of the member Indigenous Institutes on the development of two new micro-credentials,” said Wendelyn Johnson, IIC Executive Director. “IIC plans to continue the exemplary partnership between eCampusOntario and the Ministry of Colleges and Universities to support the global capacity, growth, and recognition of the member Indigenous Institutes.”

Additional Quotes

“Our people are wanting to get trained and educated faster. Virtual learning has become the standard at Oshki-Wenjack and the introduction of Indigenous-focused micro-credentials will enrich the learning at our Institute.” – Lorrie Deschamps, President of Oshki-Pimache-O-Win: The Wenjack Education Institute

“Since the start of the pandemic, understanding the full-time virtual learning space has been a challenge for all post-secondary Institutions. Following the completion of new micro-credential projects in Digital Fluency, the success of staff, teachers and learners at Anishinabek Educational Institute (AEI) is bound to grow.” – Mindy Taylor, Interim Education Director for Anishinabek Educational Institute

“Iohahi:io Akwesasne Education and Training Institute is proud of the successful outcomes on the virtual learning Strategy EOI submissions. IIC continues to do good work on opportunities and resources that directly benefit all of the member Indigenous Institutes.” – Norma Sunday, IIC Vice-Chair and Director at Iohahi:io Akwesasne Education and Training Institute

“Shingwauk Kinoomaage Gamig welcomes the further development and position of Indigenous Institutes in the post-secondary virtual learning space. Our students deserve and will receive the same high-quality education as if they were in the classroom.”- Dianne Roach, Acting Director at Shingwauk Kinoomaage Gamig

“Indigenous Institutes are leading virtual learning for Indigenous post-secondary education in Ontario and in partnership with eCampusOntario we are setting the standard for good quality partnerships. This work is an example of that. Ogwehoweh Skills and Trades Training Centre will continue to innovatively support our community in their learning journeys.”– Erin Monture, Director at Ogwehoweh Skills and Trades Training Centre

Interested in learning more? Contact Jake Jamieson, IIC Marketing & Communications Lead.

Ted Nolan and his son, Brandon Nolan, will be in Fort Frances, Ontario at Seven Generations Education Institute to make an important donation to the IIC. The former NHL player, coach and founder of the Ted Nolan Foundation made the donation on Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2019 at Seven Generations’ brand-new education facility. The IIC is proud to accept the Rose Nolan Scholarship Fund in the amount of $125,000. This Fund is donated in support of First Nations women pursuing a post-secondary education at an Indigenous Institute in Ontario.

“I wouldn’t be the man I am today without the love and support of my mother,” said Ted Nolan, who believes that real strength in our world comes from women. “Collectively, we need to support our First Nations women to ensure they get the opportunities they rightly deserve. Inspiration is the seed that blooms into a Rose.”

Chair of the IIC, Murray Waboose, acknowledges the contribution from the Ted Nolan Foundation stating that, “The Indigenous Institutes Consortium is proud to partner with the Nolan’s to continue to enrich the academic careers of our First Nations women learners as they strive to achieve their post-secondary education attainment.”

Background

Since 2002, the goal of the Ted Nolan Foundation has been to encourage Indigenous youth to pursue academic growth for a better future. Ted Nolan believes that today’s youth will be tomorrow’s leaders.

The Rose Nolan Scholarship Fund is sponsored by the Ted Nolan Foundation and was established in 2004. Named after Ted Nolan’s mother, who had an untimely death due to an impaired driver in 1981. The Fund was established to assist First Nations women achieve their educational and training goals, while maintaining strong community involvement.

The Ted Nolan Foundation announced a $100,000 contribution to Sault College in 2017, and last Fall the Foundation made two more donations to First Nations University of Canada (FNUC) and Cape Breton University (CBU) with a donation of $75,000 to each of their respective bursary programs. More donations to additional post-secondary institutions are to be expected.

Established in 1994, the Indigenous Institutes Consortium is a non-profit corporation mandated to represent the collective interest of the Indigenous Institutes with a mission to support the development and recognition of Indigenous Institutes. Indigenous Institutes constitute one of the Pillars of Ontario’s post-secondary education and training system that are recognized under the Indigenous Institutes Act, 2017. Indigenous Institutes are community based post-secondary education and training Institutes that are Indigenous owned and operated and centred on local, accessible, and culturally appropriate programming.  Indigenous Institutes provide culturally responsive and safe-learning environments grounded in Indigenous ways of knowing and living that honour Indigenous traditions.