Indigenous education is sui generis (a thing of it's own kind)
We affirm and honour the university’s strategic commitments and responsibilities to Indigenous communities and learners. Guided by institutional, national, and international Indigenous policy agendas that recognize Indigenous rights, we prioritize, foster, and promote Indigenous educational sovereignty, Indigenous ways of knowing and learning, and transformative decolonial pedagogies in our teaching and learning activities. Our principles and initiatives develop and strengthen partnerships in Indigenous Research, and community engagement as well as teaching and service across learners with a particular focus on Indigenous learners.
Towards Western at 150
People, Community, and Culture
People, Community, and Culture
Commitments
Recognize and affirm that Indigenous Education is sui generis (a thing of its own kind) and requires pathways that may not be consistent with existing organizational structures and administrative approaches
- New office space established for the Office of Indigenous Education with a designated area for smudging
- Developed the Indigenous Advisory Council in the Faculty of Education
- Established a no cancellation policy for Indigenous education courses
- Dr. Candace Brunette: Learning bundles a gift of Indigenous knowledge
Increase Indigenous faculty, students, and staff members across all areas
- Established a Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Arts, Knowledge Systems and Education, Dr. Spy Dénommé-Welch
- Hired Indigenous faculty members for the Doctor of Education in Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
- Robyn Michaud joins Western Education as a seconded Indigenous Teacher Educator
- $280,000 in scholarships available to Indigenous students in graduate programs
Partner with local Indigenous communities to support language revitalization and build on the Master of Professional Education program in the Field of Indigenous Education
- Partnership established between the Indigenous Master of Professional Education Symposium and Western’s annual powwow
Support Indigenous scholars, research models and learning, including creating an Indigenous research space and hands-on learning experiences for students
- Established research grant for Indigenous faculty
- Created Indigenous graduate student scholarship program
- Indigenous education course fosters decolonizing classroom practices for teacher candidates
- Maatookiiying gaa-miinigoowiziying, or Sharing Our Gifts, is a formal Indigenous curriculum initiative at Western University led by Candace Brunette-Debassige, Teaching Fellow-Faculty of Education, that aims to collaboratively advance the respectful inclusion of Indigenous ways of knowing in the university classroom
- Dr Candace Brunette-Debassige has won the George L. Geis Dissertation Award from the Canadian Society for the Study of Higher Education
- Education supports two 2022 Head and Heart Indigenous Research Fellowship for Education EdD Candidates
- Successful research grant for Erica Neeganagwedgin regarding Oral History and Traditions of Contemporary Indigenous Taino People in Yamaye (Jamaica)
- Dr. Candace Brunette-Debassige, received the Outstanding Scholarship for Emerging Leaders from the International Leadership Association
Create placements in Indigenous educational settings for teacher candidates and graduate students
- Six teacher candidates completed practicum placements in Northern First Nations during 24/25
- Established partnerships with five Indigenous schools in Southern Ontario
