University College of the North (UCN) will celebrate the release of Empowering Indigenous Students in the Classroom and Beyond: A Collection of Essays by Instructors at the University College of the North. There will be two public launch events on UCN's main campuses in Thompson and The Pas.
Published by FriesenPress, the collection brings together essays by UCN faculty from a range of disciplines. UCN's students are mostly Indigenous, and the essays show how instructors weave Indigenous and Northern values into their teaching. They address relationship-building, community engagement, and bringing Indigenous ways of knowing together with Western educational approaches. The book offers practical strategies for student success in the classroom and in life.
Dr. Ying Kong, Associate Professor of English and Chair of English programs, Dr. Joseph Atoyebi, Associate Professor of Linguistics, and Dr. Jennie Wastesicoot, Associate Professor of Aboriginal and Northern Studies and Chair of Indigenous programs, edited the thirteen chapters contributed by faculty from various disciplines.
"This vital and compelling volume presents a wide array of disciplinary and cultural perspectives on Indigenous education, bringing together traditional knowledge, new communications technologies, land-based learning and student-centred pedagogy, and more," said Warren Carious, Author and Professor, University of Manitoba.
"This book confronts the stark reality of the education gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous students in Northern Manitoba and across Canada," said Christian Spence, Lawyer of First Peoples Law LLP.
Edwin Jebb, from the Opskwayak Cree Nation and UCN Chancellor said, "At last, academics are joining with students to document strategies that uplift and empower Indigenous students, answering the call of the TRC's 94 Calls to Action."
The book shows how a post-secondary institution in the North can contribute to healing and empowerment in education. Educators, researchers, policymakers, and allies will find tools and frameworks here, and Indigenous students and teachers will recognize their own experiences in its pages.
Launch details
Thompson: Wednesday, November 4, 5:00 p.m., UCN Thompson campus, Lobby on the main floor.
The Pas: Tuesday, November 10, 5:00 p.m., UCN The Pas campus, in front of the library
Everyone is welcome. Refreshments will be served, and copies of the book will be available for purchase and signing. The book's editorial team and chapter authors will be together to answer participants' questions.
Empowering Indigenous Students in the Classroom and Beyond is available in paperback, hardcover and eBook through the FriesenPress Bookstore (books.friesenpress.com) and major online retailers such as Amazon, AbeBooks, Kobo, and other book outlets.
University College of the North provides learning opportunities to northern communities while respecting diverse Indigenous and northern values.
