November 13, 2024

Schools across Canada took time to mark Indigenous Veterans Day on November 8th. Lloydminster Comprehensive High School Student Sadey Bruce taught students from Bishop Lloyd Middle School to bead poppies to honour the contributions of Indigenous service members. The University of Waterloo and the University of Manitoba shared the stories and histories of Indigenous veterans from their campus community. Battle River School Division and L’nu Sipuk Kina’muokuom school hosted events to teach students about the sacrifices and contributions made by those in the service. At Chief Ahtahkakohp School, students and staff watched the unveiling of a monument honouring members of the First Nation who served.

The Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies has received 1,800 aircraft components–valued at $6.2M in total–from Bell Textron Canada Limited. Students in the Aircraft Maintenance Engineering (AME) program will be able to use the components in their classes, which will provide valuable hands-on and practical experience. “Bell Textron Canada’s donation directly supports SIIT’s AME program, giving Indigenous students practical experience with real aircraft components,” said SIIT Dean of Trades & Industrial Mark Pollard. “This donation strengthens our efforts to equip students with the skills they need to succeed in the aerospace industry and build rewarding careers.”

Several K-12 schools and postsecondary institutions in Ontario marked Treaties Recognition Week by raising treaty flags, holding keynotes and workshops, and sharing resources. The efforts sought to educate the campus community about the relevant treaty or treaties governing the land that the schools are built on, such as the Robinson Huron Treaty of 1850 (Laurentian University); Williams Treaties (Durham College, Ontario Tech University); and the Haldimand Treaty of 1784 (University of Waterloo). School boards such as the Toronto District School Board, Upper Grand District School Board, and St Clair Catholic District School Board marked the week with events and knowledge-sharing exercises to help students learn more about treaty rights and relationships. TDSB is treating the whole month of November as Indigenous Education Month and sharing resources in support of Treaties Week, Inuit Day, Indigenous Veterans Day, and Louis Riel Day.

The Government of Nunavut has appealed a Nunavut Court of Appeal decision to allow Nunavut Tunngavik Inc (NTI) to continue its lawsuit against NV over Inuit language instruction. NTI is pursuing the territorial government over the lack of Inuit-language education, which it says has eroded the use of Inuktut and negatively affected educational attainment among Inuit students. Nunatsiaq News reports that Nunavut Premier PJ Akeeagok is hoping that the Supreme Court of Canada will stop the lawsuit so that NV and NTI can “settle the key legal issues in this litigation.” NTI President Aluki Kotierk said that the organization is “baffled” by these actions.

The Atlantic Indigenous health research network will be receiving $4M in support from the federal government over the next five years. The network—which has partnerships with Cape Breton University, Memorial University, and St Francis Xavier University, among other organizations—aims to support Indigenous communities and give them agency over health research. It supports a variety of initiatives with the goal of building capacity for Indigenous health research and supporting the Atlantic Indigenous Mentorship Network. “When money flows to the community-based organizations … it does build capacity at the community level and a different sense of ownership over the research,” said Memorial Adjunct Professor Jamie Snook.

First Nations Technical Institute has launched a Bachelor of Indigenous Social Work. The program—which FNTI says is the first of its kind in Canada—will train culturally competent social workers who can effectively communicate, advocate for social justice, and address the challenges faced by Indigenous communities. The program will include Indigenous teachings, human rights principles, experiential learning, and culturally grounded assessments. “After many years of consistent demand from communities, and long hours of development work by Indigenous educators, and with the support of key partners, together we have brought this historic program to life,” said FNTI President Suzanne Brant. The program has received accreditation from the National Indigenous Accreditation Board.

Several schools recently celebrated the installation of new Indigenous artworks on campus. Bothwell Elementary in Surrey held a ceremony to celebrate the installation of a new welcome figure made by Sts’ailes master carver Gary Leon. “Students are welcome to go up and give it a hug or put your hand on it. I’m hoping you guys will enjoy it – treat it well and it’ll treat you well, if you look after it, it will look after you,” said Leon. Cambrian College alumnus Cody Bradshaw, who is Mi’kmaq, designed and built a metal medicine wheel that is now displayed at Cambrian’s main entrance. Conestoga College has a new mural at the Guelph-Speedvale campus that was created by Indigenous artist Isaac Murdoch. Murdoch said the mural demonstrates how the world is an ecosystem and how those in the world are connected. Halifax West High School installed a permanent land acknowledgment created by quill artist Melissa Peter-Paul. The sign is located next to the school’s front doors, giving those entering the school an opportunity to reflect on how they are treaty people.

Oshki-Pimache-O-Win: The Wenjack Education Institute recently partnered with local Indigenous communities and health authorities to support learning. The Pikangikum Health Authority reached out to the institute to support learners in pre-health education. Through this partnership, Oshki-Wenjack staff offered hands-on training to Pre-Health Sciences Certificate Program students to ensure that they had the skills they needed to fully participate in their education. Oshki-Wenjack also worked with Grassy Narrows First Nation to identify the types of education that would directly benefit the specific workforce development needs of the community, such as pre-health, nursing, and mental health education.

Numerous postsecondary institutions across Canada took time to mourn the passing of Murray Sinclair last week. Several institutions—including Brandon University, Brock University, the University of Victoria, and Yukon University— lowered their flags to half-mast to honour his memory. Dalhousie University published segments from Sinclair’s 2018 interview with Dal Magazine, the University of Manitoba highlighted Sinclair’s life story, and Queen’s University recognized Sinclair’s contributions to the institution as Chancellor Emeritus and Special Advisor to the Principal on Reconciliation. Toronto Metropolitan University highlighted how Sinclair’s work led to important changes at the institution, including paving the way for the Standing Strong (Mash Koh Wee Kah Pooh Win) Task Force and helping inform its report and recommendations, including the change of its name.

Camosun College and Malahat Nation have partnered on an adult education program that will prepare learners from the First Nation for postsecondary education or employment. The SOAR (Supporting Opportunities, Achievement and Resilience) program aims to provide the Mel’uxulh mustimuhw (Malahat people) with education that is tailored to their needs. The program will prepare students for roles in areas such as the trades, STEM, and management, with Camosun providing upgrading courses in English and Math. “Camosun College is excited to be a partner in the delivery of the SOAR program, especially with the opportunity to break down barriers and opening doors to education for learners in their community,” said Camosun President Dr Lane Trotter. “We want to see learners succeed and thrive.”