A new year signals new beginnings, and Ontario’s Indigenous Institutes have continued to contribute to some exciting milestones in Indigenous education. From achievements in accreditation to the wider-accessibility of Indigenous knowledge, the past few months have paved the way for a brighter future for Indigenous and non-Indigenous learners alike. We look forward to seeing what the rest of 2022 has in store for us.
Manitoulin Island Educational Institute Receives Accreditation
“Kenjgewin Teg has been striving for this for many years, facing many uphill challenges for being an Indigenous-led institution. It’s something they’ve been doing for many years and to achieve this accreditation, in our view, is about time.” – Chief Linda Debassige via CTV News.
KT and Queen’s University Expand Indigenous Studies Courses Offered
“The new courses will provide students with the opportunity to enhance their awareness of Indigenous perspectives on a diverse range of subjects, from climate change, the connection between language and identity and the arts. Building awareness of the perspectives and knowledge of Indigenous peoples is a key part of the reconciliation process.” – Stephanie Roy, President, Kenjgewin Teg via The Manitoulin Expositor
Work On Proposed Mental Health and Addictions Research and Training Institute Continues
“I walked the halls of Shingwauk Hall and there is something very special you feel when you are in that facility. When you are in that institution you can feel the history in that building and you can feel a lot of the pain and suffering in that building. That’s why it was important to bring Algoma University and Shingwauk Kinoomaage Gamig into the plan.” – Ross Romano, MPP for Sault Ste. Marie and Ontario’s minister of Government and Consumer Services
Optimistic Outlook as Rural Township Looks to Rename Derogatory Road Sign
“You have to find that meaning behind what you are teaching to inspire students. A lot of our courses are related to empowerment, our culture and making change. The best way to gain that empowerment is by experiencing it. And experiencing that you have the power to make change. And that these things really matter.” – Joanne Morrison instructor of the Native Identity Development course that is part of the Anishinabek Educational Institute (AEI) Native Community Worker Program
Full story here.
Kenjgewin Teg Participates in Annual Walk for Wenjack Day
“Our Kenjgewin Teg team raised $1,300 in this our first year taking part in the walk. We received really good support from people who donated to our team. Not everyone took part (from Kenjgewin Teg) but the many who walked home after work. We hope to be able to increase participation in future years.” – Andrew Gerhard, Kenjgewin Teg staff member via The Manitoulin Expositor
NAN Mourns Passing of Educator, Artist Goyce Kakagemic
“Goyce was passionate about education and the well-being of youth and their families. He was determined to close the significant gap experienced by students in our communities compared with those in urban centres. He led tremendous work to ensure that our youth received quality education opportunities and took every opportunity to encourage and support them throughout their academic careers.” – NAN deputy chief Bobby Narcisse
“There’s a lot of troubling findings”: McMaster Professor Awarded International Water Prize for Work at Six Nations
“It’s led and shaped by the community, Indigenous science and ways of knowing [and looks at] everything from turtle tagging to a mental health app” for youth struggling with climate change and water insecurity.” – Dawn Martin-Hill, the first Indigenous cultural anthropologist in Canada and recipient of the 2022 University of Oklahoma International Water Prize.
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