Algonquin College signs CICan Indigenous Education Protocol

Posted on Wednesday, December 3rd, 2014

CICan indigenous marketo

Algonquin College one of the first Canadian colleges to sign on to protocol, which reaffirms the Colleges’ commitment to Indigenous education.

(Ottawa, December 3, 2014) Today, Algonquin College signed Colleges and Institutes Canada’s (CICan) historic Indigenous Education Protocol. This aspirational document reaffirms the Colleges’ commitment to Indigenous education and provides a vision of how it will strive to improve and better serve Indigenous peoples.

“With 1,000 Aboriginal students, Algonquin College is committed to providing high-quality educational opportunities that honours and respects the culture and values of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit learners,” says Cheryl Jensen, President, Algonquin College. “We are committed to helping our Aboriginal students succeed – through our Aboriginal student centre, the largest in the Ontario college system; through our support services, events, and initiatives; and through our Aboriginal Education Council.”

The Indigenous Education Protocol was developed by CICan’s Indigenous Education Committee, comprising college and institute representatives from across the provinces and territories, as well as through consultations held at the Serving Indigenous Learners and Communities Symposium in December 2013, and the CICan annual conferences in 2013 and 2014. Algonquin College is a member of CICan.

“As key providers of applied postsecondary education for Indigenous communities, colleges and institutes recognize that they have important responsibilities and obligations to Indigenous education,” says Denise Amyot, President and CEO of CICan. “This protocol will encourage our members to be even more inclusive of Indigenous cultures and even more proactive in eliminating the barriers to education that many Indigenous learners still face.”

Fast Facts

  • This CICan protocol has seven main points, including “Commit to making Indigenous education a priority” and “Implement intellectual and cultural traditions of Indigenous peoples through curriculum and learning approaches relevant to learners and communities.” (Read the Protocol)
  • Approximately 1,000 students of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit heritage study at Algonquin College.
  • The College actively consults with local Aboriginal communities and educational organizations about the goals and needs of indigenous learners through the College’s Aboriginal Education Council.
  • In 1994, Algonquin College established a General Arts & Science program in Aboriginal Studies.
  • Algonquin College, along with other Ottawa-Gatineau area postsecondary institutions, regularly participates in Aboriginal community activities, such as Pow Wows and an annual graduation celebration.

Comments

Comments are closed.