The following two videos feature Vianne Timmons, former president of the University of Regina, discussing the importance of Indigenization and why it matters. It outlines how within Saskatchewan, the population will be 30% Indigenous by 2045. The video defines Indigenization in the academy as:
“The transformation of the existing academy by including Indigenous knowledges, voices, critiques, scholars, students and materials as well as the establishment of physical and epistemic spaces that facilitate the ethical stewardship of a plurality of Indigenous knowledges and practices so thoroughly as to constitute an essential element of the university. It is not limited to Indigenous people, but encompasses all students and faculty, for the benefit of our academic integrity and our social viability”.
Vianne shares the University of Regina’s strategic plan, Peyak Aski Kikawinaw, which means “one with Mother Earth. This strategic plan identifies “Student Success, Community Engagement and Research Impact” as key priority areas.
The second video discusses a checklist that Dr. Shauneen Pete developed regarding 100 ways the University can Indigenize the campus. Many of these recommendations, such as:
- Critically examine colonization and its effects
- Practice challenging notions of colorblindness and meritocracy
- Identify the long-term benefits of Indigenization for you/your learners, the program, and your profession
- Disrupt the dominant idea of deficit thinking directed toward Indigenous learners
All these examples are ways that are practices that we can use outside of the institution.
These videos relate to my final research project as they reinforce the idea that Indigenization is for everyone, as it is everyone’s responsibility to ensure that the languages and cultures of Indigenous people thrive. In addition, for all students to understand historical truth as we work towards Truth and Reconciliation. The checklist of Indigenization practices will guide settlers’ role in the Indigenization of education.
100 ways to Indigenize and decolonize academic programs and courses: https://www.uregina.ca/president/assets/docs/president-docs/indigenization/indigenize-decolonize-university-courses.pdf