Truth and Reconciliation Week is an opportunity to reflect and honour the victims and survivors of Canada's Residential School system, ensuring they are never forgotten.
To begin Truth and Reconciliation Week, Red River College Polytechnic joined the members of Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan) as a signatory of a national Indigenous Education Protocol.
This comprehensive document underscores the importance of structures and approaches required to address Indigenous peoples' learning needs and to support self-determination and socio-economic development of Indigenous communities.
"We have dedicated ourselves to reconciling a broken trust in our education system and recognize that advancing Indigenous achievement requires organizations to listen, embrace new ways of learning and work together to prompt meaningful change," says Fred Meier, President and CEO of RRC Polytech.
"By upholding this agreement, RRC Polytech and its CICan partners will continue to create opportunities to integrate Indigenous knowledge and teaching methods into student and faculty supports, to inform our administrative processes, and to build collaborative partnerships that elevate reconciliation."
Indigenous Education Protocol signatory institutions agree to:
- Commit to making Indigenous education a priority.
- Ensure governance structures recognize and respect Indigenous peoples.
- Implement intellectual and cultural traditions of Indigenous peoples through curriculum and learning approaches relevant to learners and communities.
- Support students and employees to increase understanding and reciprocity among Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples.
- Commit to increasing the number of Indigenous employees with ongoing appointments throughout the institution, including Indigenous senior administrators.
- Establish Indigenous-centred holistic services and learning environments for learner success.
- Build relationships and be accountable to Indigenous communities in support of self-determination through education, training and applied research.
Colleges, institutes and polytechnics are often the primary access points to post-secondary education for First Nations, Inuit and Métis learners. As the main providers of adult education and upskilling programs, they are key to breaking down barriers to post-secondary education.
This is especially important for Indigenous learners because the percentage of Indigenous men and women aged 25 to 64 without a high school diploma stands at 26 per cent, more than twice that of non-Indigenous Canadians (11 per cent).
"Education is vital to strengthening Indigenous communities," says Denise Amyot, President and CEO of Colleges and Institutes Canada. "We are so proud of the work our members do to ensure that their institutions make culturally relevant education, governance and support services a priority."
The Indigenous Education Protocol aligns closely with the recommendations issued by Canada's Truth and Reconciliation Commission in 2015, and is supported by many initiatives already underway at the College.
RRC Polytech works together with its Elders-in-Residence, Knowledge Keepers Council, and Director of Truth and Reconciliation to make informed decisions and embed Indigenous teachings and traditions into its programs and culture.
Manitoba's former Treaty Commissioner, Jamie Wilson, was recently hired to add his visionary leadership and relationship-building acumen to the portfolio of Vice-President of Indigenous Strategy, Research and Business Development.
The location of the signing, Manitou a bi Bii daziigae at the College's Exchange District Campus, includes open spaces that celebrate Mother Earth, technology to accommodate traditional ceremonies, and artwork on walls, ceilings and floors that celebrates Indigenous artists and creates an atmosphere of belonging.
All staff are encouraged to complete the Four Seasons of Reconciliation training modules and KAIROS' Blanket Exercise Workshop to learn about the true effects of Canada's colonization. Throughout the year, the College hosts a variety of special ceremonies, presentations, workshops, and seasonal solstice and equinox celebrations, and each spring hosts an annual Pow Wow honouring Indigenous graduates.
"RRC Polytech is a learning institution, a workplace and a community," says Carla Kematch, Director of Truth and Reconciliation at RRC Polytech. "Post-secondary is where many young people are exposed to life-altering thought processes, ideas and new pathways. For me, post-secondary helped shape who I am.
"Not only is it our responsibility to educate on Truth and Reconciliation, we hold a unique space for transformative learning to occur for the future of our province and to help heal the deep wounds that still impact Indigenous peoples."
RRC Polytech is committed to Truth and Reconciliation and embedding equity, diversity and inclusion into everything it does.
CICan's Indigenous Education Protocol will help guide the College in its mission of providing top-level post-secondary education while transforming spaces, places and hearts; weaving together two distinct cultures; and improving relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples to empower communities and promote a culture of respect and inclusion.
