4 Summary
Preparation is important when embarking on a journey. Knowing yourself and your values and beliefs will help you understand the why of Indigenization. Understanding the why will in turn strengthen your ability to develop and maintain relationships with Indigenous Peoples and communities in a way that will benefit students, staff, and the institution as a whole.
Activities
Activity 1: Self-Reflection
Time: 20 min
Type: Individual
Identify your core values, both personally and professionally, and compare them with the Indigenous values[1] shared at the beginning of this guide.
- What are the similarities and dissimilarities between them?
- Do any of the Indigenous values particularly resonate for you?
Activity 2: Strategic Plans and Principles
Time: 30 min
Type: Individual
Look at your institution’s strategic plan. Have any Indigenous values been reflected in it?
If not, review Colleges and Institutes Canada’s (CICan) Indigenous Education Protocol for Colleges and Institutes [2] and Universities Canada principles on Indigenous education [PDF].[3]
- Has your institution endorsed either of these documents?
- If so, has your institution created accountability measures to meet these protocols and principles?
- Indigenous values: https://opentextbc.ca/indigenizationleadersadministrators/front-matter/indigenous-values/ ↵
- Indigenous Education Protocol for Colleges and Institutes: https://www.collegesinstitutes.ca/policyfocus/indigenous-learners/protocol/ ↵
- Universities Canada principles on Indigenous education: https://www.univcan.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/principles-on-indigenous-education-universities-canada-june-2015.pdf ↵
