Georgian College takes steps toward Truth and Reconciliation with Indigenization strategy
Georgian College takes steps toward Truth and Reconciliation through a new Indigenization strategy launched this week.
Titled Maajiishkaadaa, meaning let's move forward together, the strategy focuses on six pillars aimed at adding Indigenous elements to the school and building stronger relationships.
The six pillars are Truth and Reconciliation, leadership, representation, community engagement, curriculum and pedagogy, and cultural enrichment – all under the visual representation of an arbour.
An arbour is a familiar structure for Indigenous peoples used in the central area of a Pow Wow.
"I'm pleased that the work done to date in collaboration with the Anishinabe Education and Training Circle is recognized and reflected in this strategy," said Mary-Anne Willsey, Georgian's board of governor's vice-president and Anishinabe Education and Training Circle chair.
"It will be a guiding document for all of us in the Georgian community as we journey together toward a period of reconciliation, and I'm privileged to be part of this journey."
Kevin Weaver, Georgian College president and CEO, said he's already taken steps to Indigenize elements around the school, including its Coat of Arms – adding a four-colour feather added his presidential convocation gown.
"It's important to me that reconciliation isn't a performative act but an authentic step forward," Weaver said.
"We expect to see more positive and mindful changes across the college as we launch this new Indigenization strategy and move forward on the journey of Truth and Reconciliation.
"Georgian is a learning institution, and we're here to grow – both students and employees. Together, with Indigenous partners, we'll all continue to learn and unlearn."
The college has several initiatives it hopes to achieve shortly as part of the new two-year Indigenization strategy.
Initiatives include "establishing an E-Zhinoomaagejig Reconcili-action Guiding Circle, rolling out a 4 Seasons of Reconciliation learning module for employees and a revised recruitment plan that increases self-identified Indigenous college employees," as stated in a recent press release.
Other initiatives include "meaningful integration of Indigenous content across all academic areas, and an increased physical and virtual presence of Indigenous languages, values, peoples, ways of knowing, symbols, esthetics, and procedures."
Anishnaabe artist and visual storyteller Emily Kewageshig recently unveiled her painting - Across the Horizon - which is on display at the Owen Sound campus.
Georgian College unveils new Indigenous artwork at the Owen Sound Campus to coincide with the launch of a new Indigenization strategy. The artwork was created by Anishnaabe artist and visual storyteller Emily Kewageshig. (Provided/Georgian College)
Once the two years are up, the college will determine its progress and what it plans to do next.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Federal employees will be required to spend 3 days a week in the office
Starting in September, public servants in the core public administration will be required to work in the office a minimum of three days a week. The Treasury Board Secretariat says executives will need to be in the office four days per week.
Concerns about plexiglass prompt inspections at some Loblaws locations in Ottawa
Inspections are underway at more than one Loblaws location in Ottawa after complaints were filed about tall plexiglass barriers.
OPP officer said 'someone's going to get hurt' before wrong-way Hwy. 401 crash
As multiple Durham police cruisers were chasing a robbery suspect on the wrong side of Highway 401 Monday night, an Ontario Provincial Police officer shared his concerns, telling a dispatcher, "Someone's going to get hurt."
Canada's most wanted fugitive arrested in P.E.I. in connection with Toronto homicide
A suspect in a fatal shooting in Toronto’s east end last summer has been arrested in Charlottetown, just one week after he topped a list of Canada’s most wanted fugitives.
Poilievre returns to House unrepentant for calling Trudeau 'wacko,' Speaker not resigning
An unrepentant Pierre Poilievre returned to the House of Commons on Wednesday to pepper the prime minister about his drug decriminalization policies after being booted the day prior for refusing to take back calling Justin Trudeau 'wacko' over his approach to the issue.
Five human skeletons, missing hands and feet, found outside house of Nazi leader Hermann Göring
Archeologists have unearthed the skeletons of five people, missing their hands and feet, at a former Nazi military base in Poland.
Toddler of Phoenix first responder dies after bounce house goes airborne
A two-year-old child died after a strong gust of wind sent the bounce house he was in airborne and into a neighbouring lot in central Arizona, the Pinal County Sheriff's Office said.
Plane overshoots runway at airport in St. John's, N.L., no injuries reported
Investigators from the Transportation Safety Board of Canada are headed to St. John's, N.L., after a plane overshot a runway at the city's airport this afternoon.
A teen was found buried in a basement in New York. An engraved ring helped police learn her identity two decades later
Investigators have finally revealed the identity of an unknown victim nicknamed 'Midtown Jane Doe,' who was found in the Hell's Kitchen neighbourhood of New York City two decades ago.