Stages of our journey
Within the context of our Indigenous framework, the journey to develop our Indigenous Strategy involved four sequential stages of development.
Community consultation
In 2016, ²ÝÝ®ÎÛÊÓƵµ¼º½ embarked on a journeyÌýtowards the development of an Indigenous Strategy.Ìý
The 2,200 points of contact made through multiple community dialogues, focus groups and a public survey inform every piece of ii' taa'poh'to'p.Ìý
A strategic initiative under Dru Marshall, former Provost and Vice-President (Academic), ii' taa'poh'to'pÌýwasÌýinformed by an Elder Advisory Council, a Steering Committee, a Working Group, and two parallel frameworks: institutional and Indigenous.
Stage 1
Institutional Framework
- Developing terms of reference
- Setting goals
- Confirming committee membership
Indigenous Framework
- Setting out
- Defining a common purpose
Stage 2
Institutional Framework
- Information gathering
- Data collection
Indigenous Framework
- Clearing the path
- Gathering stories
Stage 3
Institutional Framework
- Data compilation and analysis
Indigenous Framework
- Bringing the stories home
Stage 4
Institutional Framework
- Strategy writing
- Approvals and launch
Indigenous Framework
- Empowering the spirit of Indigenization
Gathering Stories: community dialogues
To fully engage the community while developing the strategy, we embarked on a full-circle reflective journey by gathering and listening to stories.Ìý²ÝÝ®ÎÛÊÓƵµ¼º½ hosted three in-person community dialogues, held numerous on-campus focus groupsÌýand launched an online survey that was accessible to the public.
Conversations focused on broad topics were categorized under the headings: people, place, and spaces; programs; and practice. In total, the university connected with and received input from more than 2,200 people. Events included:
- The Inner City Dialogue, Oct.Ìý17, 2016
- The Community Stakeholder Dialogue, Nov. 4, 2016
- The Traditional Knowledge Keepers’ Dialogue, Nov. 18, 2016
- Online public survey, November 4 – Dec.Ìý5, 2016
Emerging themes
A daylong mind-mapping exercise was heldÌýon May 22, 2017, in order to identify a set of interconnected, overarching themes that shape the recommendations found in ii' taa'poh'to'p. The emerging themes included:
- Indigenous representation: authentic involvement in decision-making processes
- Addressing divisive attitudes and behaviours
- Decolonizing practices: policy, programming, curricula, research and pedagogies
- Holistic student support services
- System-wide learning
- Indigenous places and spaces
- Reciprocal and respectful relationships