AURORA COLLEGE
Indigenous Knowledge Holders Council shares Framework document for 2025-2028

Aurora College's Indigenous Knowledge Holders Council (IKHC) has released its first Framework document - Flowing Waters Framework - which will guide the Council's work from July 2025 through to June 2028 and will be implemented over the next three academic years.

The document highlights the Indigenous Knowledge (IK) Guiding Principles and the priorities of IKHC, identifies the current council governance, and provides an implementation infographic to illustrate IKHC's short, medium, and long-term goals during the 2025 to 2028 timeframe.

IKHC's key responsibility is to guide Aurora College in its Reconciliation journey by providing the necessary wisdom to weave Indigenous ways of knowing, doing, being, and believing into policies, programs, and operations, while also building stronger relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community.

Capturing Indigenous ways of knowing, doing, being and believing into words and in a legislated framework presented Council members with a profound challenge, as these knowledge systems are deeply rooted in lived experiences, oral traditions, and relationships with the land, which often transcend linear or written expressions.

Despite the challenges, using words and frameworks to capture Indigenous ways of knowing remain essential to foster understanding, collaboration, and integration within broader institutional contexts. While challenging, these efforts provide a bridge to share knowledge, inspire dialogue, and create spaces where Indigenous perspectives can shape policies and practices in meaningful ways.

The IKHC's priorities reflect the Indigenous Knowledge guiding principles and a desire to be rooted in a broad, conceptual simplicity that aligns with four' as a sacred number, for a variety of reasons, and on ways of knowing, doing, being and believing through metaphor and story. They include:

• Sacred Places;
• Indigenizing Education and Cultural Knowledge Continuity;
• Love and Respect;
• Leaders in Partnership.
• Guiding Principles
  • Relationships and Reciprocity
  • NWT Indigenous Culture
  • NWT Indigenous Languages
  • NWT Indigenous Elders
  • NWT Indigenous Curriculum
  • The Land
  • Wellness and Ceremony
  • Strong Like Two People

Aurora College's IKHC was appointed by the Board of Governors in March 2024, and held its inaugural meeting in Yellowknife in May 2024. The thirteen members are Northwest Territories residents of Dene, Inuvialuit, Métis, and Cree ancestry from across the territory who have been involved in leadership and education, as well as in revitalizing Indigenous languages, cultures, and traditions.

Quotes:

The Indigenous Knowledge Holders Council is proud of the work that got us to this point. We believe this Flowing Waters Framework will guide us in our work, in our connections to our sacred surroundings, to each other and to learn about ourselves. We raise our hands to all the efforts of people that helped shape this pathway. We are honoured to continue our strong traditions but also to endeavour in the careful process of planning and visioning for the College and all the peoples walking their own educational pathways.

Dëneze Nakehk'o, Chair, Aurora College Indigenous Knowledge Holders Council

The establishment of the Indigenous Knowledge Holders Council aligns with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's recommendations and underlines Aurora College's commitment to incorporate Indigenous perspectives and values, and to foster an educational environment that respects Indigenous ways of life, knowledge, cultures, and worldviews.

Dr. Angela James, President, Aurora College

Indigenous Knowledge Holders Council Flowing Waters Framework 2025