How TRU is Indigenizing PLAR to benefit Indigenous students: Editorial

Thompson Rivers University has shared an overview of its recent work in Indigenizing Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR). TRU PLAR Director Susan Forseille discusses how the university worked with Justin Young Thunder Sky, a traditional oral storyteller and mentor, to evaluate the PLAR process and pilot a version of the process that drew on a recorded spoken portfolio and interviews with other students Thunder Sky was working with. After the pilot project was complete, the team analyzed the outcomes; developed three committees to focus on components of PLAR such as interviews, the report structure, and the student handbook; and is now planning to visit Bands and talk about PLAR with them. The university is also seeking funding to conduct pilot projects with two Bands and create a competency-based PLAR cohort.