“Having Indigenous voices at every level is important”

Posted on Friday, March 3rd, 2023

For Indigenous students to thrive and succeed at Algonquin College, Indigenous voices need to be involved at every level of the College, bureaucracy and red tape need to be streamlined, student resources better promoted, and faculty should demonstrate flexibility and willingness to accommodate family emergencies.

These were some of the suggestions and recommendations shared with an audience of college employees and faculty, at the March 2 Indigenous Student Leadership Panel, hosted by Shelia Grantham and Kerry Potts, Algonquin College’s Indigenous Pedagogy and Curriculum Consultants in Learning and Teaching Services.

Community leaders and students Randy Kakegamick, Natasha Hiltz-Commanda, and Stephane Gunner spoke about their experiences at the College, highlighting bright spots as well as areas that needed improvement. Kakegamick, Hiltz-Commanda, and Gunner are leaders not only on campus but in the community. Kagegamick performs with an Indigenous drum group at college events and throughout Ottawa, Hiltz-Commanda has created a water company called FN Clean Water and Gunner has been working for CBC North Cree Unit.

“I want to graduate. I wouldn’t have this chance if it wasn’t for Algonquin College,” said Kakegamick, who previously graduated from the College’s Digital Music Production program and is in his last semester of the Television and Broadcasting Program. “My [professors] and program coordinators have been amazing — showing us doors to walk through,” he said. He cited an example of when he had been in the hospital and his professor came to the hospital, picked him up and drove him home. “They share a love for their students. They have their own families and lives, and they made the time [for me].”

Hilz-Commanda shared an example of how an Indigenous student may have different experiences that require different supports and resources. “Things come up with your family, I’m the older sister of seven siblings,” she said. “Being able to talk to a [professor] about what’s happening, as an Indigenous student going through a lot of the intergenerational stuff we go through; when we ask for support it’s really helpful when professors are understanding and give us the time to do assignments.”

All three speakers had high praise for the Mamidosewan Centre, calling it “amazing” and describing it as a place where students can access support on how to work with the Registrar’s Office, solve computer and technology challenges, gather for meals and events, and speak with onsite pathfinders to navigate their way around campus.

Students suggested bolstering leadership and visible opportunities for Indigenous students at Algonquin College, having the Mamidosewan Centre be the voice guiding Truth and Reconciliation initiatives shaping the college, provide information about available resources for Indigenous students upon acceptance, and doing more to educate all students about true Canadian history, including sharing information about Residential Schools, Sixties Scoop and Canada’s complex relationship with Indigenous Peoples.

To learn more or schedule a meeting to discuss incorporating Indigenous learning into your program curriculum, visit the Learning and Teaching Services (LTS) website.

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