New Indigenous Strategy will help shape University of Calgary’s future

The University of Calgary recently embarked on an important journey towards the creation of an institutional-wide Indigenous Strategy. In line with the foundational goals of Eyes High, the University of Calgary is committed to creating a rich, vibrant, and culturally competent campus that supports and welcomes Indigenous learners, encourages Indigenous community partnerships in research and academic programming, is inclusive of Indigenous perspectives in teaching and learning, and is appropriate and thoughtful in its response to the Truth and Reconciliation calls for action. The development of an Indigenous Strategy will help guide and shape the university’s future with respect to indigenization for the whole campus community.

A strategic initiative under Provost and Vice-President (Academic) Dru Marshall, the early stages of the strategy’s development began in March 2016 when the Strategy’s Task Force — a steering committee and working group combined — was formed. Early on in the process and with the guidance of elders, the Steering Committee adopted an Indigenous framework that runs parallel to the more traditional terms of reference. The Indigenous framework is designed to help guide the university through the phases of development within a cultural context, marking a collective journey validated through ceremony.  The journey began with the Calling Together of the Task Force, which involved ceremonies and special blessings bestowed by Elders Reg Crowshoe and Andy Blackwater. 

“This is not a strategy we want to do quickly, it is a strategy we want to do right,” said Marshall. “It is extremely important that we have Indigenous voices around the table. We’re pleased to have committee members from a number of Indigenous communities across Canada, and we’re honoured to have involvement from a group of elders who are not only spiritual guides, but also cultural guides to this process.”

Gathering input

The Indigenous Strategy Task Force has since moved onto the Gathering Stories phase of the journey. It was recognized very early on in the process that gathering community feedback and seeking input from all campus stakeholders would be a vital part of the journey for this strategy. Over the summer, the working group developed a community engagement framework called Gathering Stories: Journey towards an Indigenous Strategy. Several dialogue sessions and focus group meetings involving internal and external stakeholders are underway — in addition to an online survey that will be available to the public from Nov. 5 to Nov. 21. Approximately two hundred participants are expected to take part in the full dialogue process.

Dialogue sessions

The first dialogue session took place on Oct. 17 at Fort Calgary. Inner-city agencies and organizations that work closely with Indigenous individuals and communities came together to discuss key issues affecting inner-city populations. Participants indicated they are excited the university is developing the Indigenous Strategy and were pleased to be contributing through the dialogues sessions.

Some of the key information collected from the Gathering Stories sessions so far focuses on ideas related to understanding barriers, access, and support for Indigenous students; developing and increasing cultural competence of the campus community regarding Indigenous Peoples (history and culture); and developing programs and courses that better prepare graduates to work with Indigenous peoples and within Indigenous communities.

A larger upcoming community dialogue will be held on Nov. 4 at MacEwan Hall that will bring campus community members together with a variety of external community stakeholders to participate in table conversations that will help to inform and shape the strategy. This dialogue session will feature keynote presentations from Shauneen Pete, University of Regina’s executive Lead: Indigenization and associate professor in the Faculty of Education, and Willie Littlechild, Cree Canadian Lawyer, former Member of Parliament, commissioner for Truth and Reconciliation, and a pioneer of the global Indigenous rights movement. 

Supporting Indigenous education

Marshall explained that the university has both a moral and legal obligation to develop a strategy that supports Indigenous education.  These obligations have been reinforced through the recent Calls to Action issued by Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission. They are also supported by the 2008 United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the recent 2016 Principles on Truth and Reconciliation issued by Universities Canada. 

Additionally, previous recommendations and best practices have been outlined in provincial and federal documents, including the First Nations, Métis and Inuit Framework released by the provincial government, and the Report of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples. Together, these frameworks create a strong argument that post-secondary institutions need to be proactive in developing such strategies now.

“Post-secondary education is viewed as playing a key role in the reconciliation process, and it is important that we consider our moral and ethical obligations and get involved. Each of us on the Task Force feels a duty of responsibility to get this right, so we will spend the time to do that,” said Marshall.

Information about the development of the Indigenous Strategy and how to participate in the community engagement and dialogue process is available on the provost’s website under Strategic Initiatives.