July 24, 2024

Nunavut Tunngavik Inc (NTI) and three regional Inuit organizations have announced the rollout of the Nunavut Inuit Post-Secondary Education Program. Three regional Inuit associations—Kitikmeot Inuit Association, Kivalliq Inuit Association, and the Kakivak Association—are designated Regional Delivery Agencies (RDAs) which will provide Nunavut Inuit across Canada with dedicated student supports. Inuit students will be able to access benefits through the new policy and program starting in Fall 2024. “Post-secondary education is crucial for Nunavut Inuit to gain the skills required to lead the territory today, tomorrow, and into the future,” said NTI President Aluki Kotierk. “The jointly developed policy and guidelines for the IPSE Program will help ensure that Inuit students are not worried about funding for their studies, and instead are able to concentrate on making the most of their post-secondary learning experience.”

Two postsecondary schools recently shared Indigenous films involving their alumni or students. Six Nations Polytechnic hosted a private film screening of Fancy Dance, which was directed by SNP alumni Odewayę́:sta’ Erica Tremblay. “I wrote much of the film in the student lounge at Six Nations Polytechnic during my Gayogo̱hó:nǫˀ immersion program,” said Tremblay. “Getting to share this work with community means everything.” The University of Manitoba shared that an Ojibwe version of Star Wars: A New Hope—created through a partnership involving UManitoba, Dakota Ojibway Tribal Council, Disney-Lucasfilm, and APTN—will premiere in Winnipeg on August 8th. Several members of UManitoba’s community were involved in the project: UManitoba Assistant Professor Cary Miller served as one of the project leads, UManitoba Assistant Professor Patrician Ningewance served as lead translator, and a group of UManitoba students shot behind-the-scenes footage and interviews.

More Innu women will be entering the K-12 classroom as teaching assistants this Fall after completing Nipissing University’s Indigenous teacher assistant diploma program. CBC reports that 11 Innu women completed the program, including Julianna Rich, who began the program at age 60 despite losing much of her own language “because I’m here for the Innu here in school.” Graduate, Bernadette Piwas told CBC that she hopes to inspire Innu children and teach them about their culture. “I got 12 grand kids and I want to show them, even if you don’t believe in yourself, you got to,” said Piwas. “It comes from your heart. You got to do it.”

A Mohawk language program offered by the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board (HWDSB) has been suspended as the board conducts a review of the program and processes such as how it recruits its instructors. “Spending necessary time to review and renew teaching and learning practices to ensure that Indigenous language instruction is accurate, authentic and accountable to Indigenous learners, families and communities is vital,” said a statement shared by a HWDSB spokesperson. HWDSB Indigenous education lead Jolene John said that more work is needed to “untangle understandings regarding MSL teacher candidates,” as there is a limited pool of individuals who meet the definitions of being both “qualified” and authentic speakers. Christina Barahona said that her kids loved the program and described hearing that the program would be suspended as upsetting.

The University of Manitoba is decolonizing its art collection and replacing some paintings and sculptures with Indigenous art. University of Manitoba Art Collection registrar and preparator CW Brooks-Ip said that the university is striving to change its art collection and to identify “artwork that is by a white settler that depicts Indigenous folks in not really an accurate way, in sort of the mythologized way, that in some ways glorifies the white settlers — or at least reinforces their white supremacy.” Some pieces that have been removed depict an “us vs them” mentality or showcase harmful stereotypes; new pieces added include a carving of a goose by Frederick Lyle Spence, who is an Ojibway carver. Brooks-Ip also created the Indigenous Student Led Indigenous Art Purchase Program, a two-year pilot project, which gives Indigenous students the opportunity to meet with artists and curators, visit studios, and make recommendations on artwork purchases with funds from the university. UManitoba’s focus on Indigenous art also includes auditing its entire collection.

Indigenous students are exploring new ideas through summer classes and camps hosted by local universities and schools. Queen’s University partnered with the Weeneebayko Area Health Authority to give Indigenous students the opportunity to visit Queen’s campus for the Weeneebayko Student Summer Program, where they learned about the university environment and health professions. Indigenous high school students from the Kawarthas learned about using tools such as angle grinders and welders at the Mind Over Metal summer camp at St Peter Catholic Secondary School in Peterborough. Students from Dokis First Nation will have the opportunity to participate in Actua’s National Indigenous Youth in STEM Program, which is delivered by undergraduate students from universities and colleges in Actua’s InSTEM program network.

Keyano College and Selkirk College have both shared updates on their new Indigenous student spaces. Keyano is constructing an Indigenous Student Centre on its Clearwater Campus that will feature a ceremonial area, a learning common space for study and group activities, a communal kitchen, and a space for the Aunty or Elder-in-residence program. The new centre recently received a $250K donation from the Bouchier Family Charitable Trust. Selkirk has officially opened the Tenth Street Indigenous Gathering Space, which supports learning and reconnection. The space is constructed of timber and tin and features a central fire pit for sacred fires. “The voices, songs and dances shared in the space are healing and demonstrate reconciliation through authentic partnerships,” said Selkirk Director of Indigenous Education & Engagement Dianne Biin.

A K-9 Indigenous charter school in Alberta is permanently closing after experiencing low enrolment. Mother Earth’s Children’s Charter School was established by parents and educators who wanted their children taught using Indigenous approaches. The school opened in 2003 in Wabamun and served mostly students from Paul First Nation. Superintendent Ed Wittchen said that the school’s enrolment fell to just 20 students this year so the board requested permission to close the school and give up its charter in January. “It was a sad time for people to have to make that decision, but we were all in agreement that it was time and necessary,” said Wittchen. The school’s location was a drawback because few students lived nearby and as time passed, families moved away or decided to send their children to the reserve’s new K-9 school. The school is working on its last annual education results report and a final audit.

Sault College will offer a one-year Biidaaban – Indigenous Foundations certificate program beginning in Fall 2025. Indigenous and non-Indigenous students who enrol in the program will develop their math, writing, and learning skills; learn to apply Indigenous values, knowledge, and world views; and explore courses from a variety of areas. The program offers a foundational experience to students to ensure that they are ready to pursue further education. “This program is not only a step towards the ongoing responsibility to reconciliation, but this one-year certificate also acknowledges the unique and significant contribution Indigenous ways of knowing and cultural teachings support learners,” said Sault Professor Dr Michelle Sayers.

Two elementary schools—one in Ontario and one in British Columbia—have received Indigenous names. A new elementary school in Oshawa will be called Maamawi iyaawag Public School, which means “they are gathered here together” in Anishinaabemowin. A statement from the board said that the name was chosen in consultation with the Indigenous and broader school community and that it demonstrates allyship, commitment to truth and reconciliation, and “the bringing together of this community.” An elementary school in Vancouver, which was previously known as Sir Matthew Begbie Elementary, has been renamed wək̓ʷan̓əs tə syaqʷəm, a hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ name which means “the sun rising over the horizon.” The name was chosen in collaboration with the Musqueam Language and Culture Department and the district’s Indigenous Education Department. It is intended to reflect the school’s location within the Hastings-Sunrise neighbourhood. VSB superintendent Helen McGregor said that the name shows a commitment to reconciliation and “increases the knowledge, awareness, appreciation of and respect for Musqueam history, language, tradition, culture and contributions.”