Articles of Interest

Below you will find articles related to Indigenous Initiatives throughout Canadian post-secondary institutions. Topics and sources will vary; if you have come across an article you think might be suitable for this page, please send it to artsdean@ualberta.ca for consideration.


 

January 26, 2022  New professional development course aims to build bridges between Indigenous, non-Indigenous people (CBC)

4 Seasons of Reconciliation focuses on TRC Call to Action No. 57

January 25, 2022 The magic of mentorship: How an after-school program is building brighter futures for Indigenous youth. (Folio)

Young mentors receive high school credits, job training and post-secondary opportunities.

January 25, 2022 For an Indigenous perspective on 'Australia Day', here's a quick guide to First Nations media platforms (The Conversation)

First Nations people generally refer to January 26 as the beginning of invasion and subsequent dispossession of Country. It marks the start of much violence and 234 years of resistance.

January 14, 2022 Indigenous criminology students share passion to change the justice system from within (Folio)

U of A criminology program has highest rate of Indigenous enrolment among all arts programs.

January 13, 2022 New community-driven project aims to support revitalization of Indigenous languages for current and coming generations (Folio)

Five-year project will build on the success of diverse programs and expand relationships between U of A and communities.

December 5, 2021 O'Chiese students and teachers participate in trapper education course (CBC)

Principal says culture is a big part of education at O'Chiese First Nation school this year

November 9, 2021 Academic Citations Evolve to Include Indigenous Oral Teachings (EOS)

A librarian has developed citation templates for oral teachings shared by members of Indigenous communities

November 4, 2021 Demonstration planned at U of Sask. to call for investigations into Indigenous identity fraud  (CBC News)

Group calling for Canadian universities to investigate faculty whose Indigenous identity is questioned.

November 4, 2021 Indigenous mentorship program uses research to foster young people's mental, physical and spiritual health  (folio)

What started as a bid to reduce rates of Type 2 diabetes has led to friendships, opportunities and success for children and youth across Canada.

October 28, 2021 These 2 students are 1st in 20 years to graduate without having to leave Driftpile Cree Nation (CBC)

October 20, 2021 Study: The achievements, experiences and labour market outcomes of Frist Nations, Métis and Inuit women with bachelor's degrees or higher (StatsCan)

September 1, 2021 AGF Announces Multi-Year Partnership with Indspire to Create the AGF Scholarship Fund for Indigenous Students (NationTalk) 

August 18, 2021 Where truth and reconciliation stand at Canadian universities (University Affairs) 

While some Indigenous scholars say there's been significant progress, others see mostly rhetoric.

July 23, 2021 How To Be a Better Treaty Person (new trail)

No two treaty agreements are alike, but all of them offer a lot to the people who reside on treaty territory

July 22, 2021  Professors promote science as a tool for Indigenous governance (folio)

By leading an internship and creating a new online course, Kim TallBear and Jessica Kolopenuk are addressing increasing demands for Indigenous governance in STEM.

June 22, 2021  Two-Eyed Seeing Research Program established in Yukon (Yukon University) 

June 14, 2021  New resources help Indigenous communities start process of searching for unmarked graves (CBC)  

Concerns persist that companies without the right technology or expertise may take advantage of communities.

June 1, 2021 Theatre director Reneltta Arluk examines colonization in U of A production of classical play (Folio)

Sixteen years after graduating from the U of A, the actor, playwright, director and producer returns as the first Indigenous woman to direct on the Timms Centre's main stage. 

May 31, 2021 Renewed agreement fosters high-quality teaching, learning and research for Métis people of Alberta (Folio)

Partnership of U of A, Métis Nation of Alberta and Rupertsland Institute provides research specific to Métis concerns and support for Métis students pursuing post-secondary education.

March 10, 2021 Graduate student uses technology to support Indigenous language learning (Folio)

After finding few digital resources available, Delaney Lothian decided to create a game and app for learning Cree language.

February 27, 2021  Inside the 'Indigenization' of Canada's universities: Progress - but also accusations of tokenism, broken promises and 'ethnic fraud'  (Toronto Star)

January 28, 2021 'Refreshing change': Students excited about new U of A course on Indigenous business. (CBC News)

Course covers Indigenous entrepreneurs' obstacles and accomplishments.

December 28, 2020 Collaboration on Indigenous-industry relations program a step toward reconciliation: Yellowhead Tribal college and U of A (Edmonton Journal)
December 11, 2020 COVID-19 and Indigenous Health and Wellness: Our Strength is in our Stories (Royal Society of Canada)

November 26, 2020  Centring Indigenization and Decolonizing of the Academy (The Quad)

“Indigenization must be understood and implemented as working toward the ‘transformation of the academy.’”
— Dr. Shauneen Pete, 100 Ways: Indigenizing & Decolonizing Academic Programs (2016)

November 24, 2020  U of A student creates 3-D printed resource to help teach Cree language (Folio) 

Syllabics kit based on "Star Chart" helps Indigenous language learners connect with Cree culture.

November 6, 2020  The ‘Decolonization Bootcamp’ Uniting Cities and Indigenous Reserves  (The Tyee)

For generations, First Nations territories and Canadian cities treated each other as strangers. Now, they’re finally working, and thriving, together.

October 30, 2020  Lorne Cardinal, the first Indigenous student admitted into the U of A’s acting program, wins August Schellenberg Award (Arts)
October 29, 2020  Programs that provide grounding in Indigenous worldview will continue (Welland Tribune)

October 21, 2020 Racism contributes to poor attendance of Indigenous students in Alberta schools: New study (The Conversation)

October 19, 2020  Supporting Digital Literacy and Local Innovation with Northern and Indigenous Communities (Arts)

Community-led, inclusive research key to success says Killam Accelerator Award recipient Rob McMahon

September 16, 2020  New Cultural Venue coming to Portage College Lac la Biche Campus (Portage College)

A proposed new cultural venue in Lac La Biche can now go ahead thanks to grant funding from the federal and provincial governments.

August 10, 2020  $2.9 million in support removes financial barriers for Indigenous students (folio)

Indspire, CIBC help create awards for 36 Indigenous students at the University of Alberta.

June 24, 2020 PSA: Call for Applications; The Qikiqtani Inuit Association will be providing 65 eligible Qikiqtani Inuit students with laptops to help support their education (qia.ca)

Computers for students initiative

June 19, 2020 2 Crees in a Pod honours, recognizes and amplifies Indigenous voices (macewan.ca)

On the surface, a new podcast hosted by Amber Dion and Terri Suntjens is about shaping accessible content for social work classrooms. But dig a little deeper and you’ll find a platform for Indigenous storytelling – one built on honouring, recognizing and amplifying Indigenous voices.

June 12, 2020 How Indigenous researchers are reclaiming archeology and anthropology  (Global News)

Many Indigenous people question the very idea of outside academics extracting their knowledge and history, said U of A archaeologist Kisha Supernant (Arts).

June 1, 2020 National Indigenous History Month: Celebrating Chief Wilton Littlechild (CityNews)

June is National Indigenous History Month. It is a time for all Canadians — Indigenous, non-Indigenous and newcomers — to reflect upon and learn the history, sacrifices, cultures, contributions, and strength of First Nations, Inuit and Metis people. Throughout the month of June, CityNews will profile Indigenous people, and share their stories and voices, so that we can celebrate the difference they have made in their communities and to our country.

May 6, 2020  Karen Pheasant-Neganigwane launches powwow culture book (Manitoulin Expositor)

Wiikwemkoong dancer, author and educator Karen Pheasant-Neganigwane is set to release her new book, ‘Powwow: A Celebration through Song and Dance.'

April 5, 2020  Ultrasound technology helps Hul'q'umi'num' language learners pronounce sounds authentically (CBC)

They're really committed to sounding authentic and to honouring their elders in the way that they speak

March 29, 2020 Anishinaabe woodsman takes his outdoor survival classes online (CBC)

'I hate the idea of a bunch of kids sitting around just playing video games and then getting bored'

March 4, 2020  New garden at ECS help further reconciliation at the school and provides a learning experience (Estevan Mercury)

A project that started early in the 2019-20 school year has been a real learning experience for students at the Estevan Comprehensive School, and has helped further understanding of reconciliation.

Feb. 19, 2020  The Community Living Pilot Project for Indigenous Students to Be Built on the Cégep de Sept-Îles Campus (NativeTalk)

Feb. 14, 2020 NEW HEALING CIRCLE FOR INDIGENOUS WOMEN (SACE website)

SACE is proud to announce the Wîwîp'son Healing from Sexual Trauma Circle for Indigenous Women, a closed, no-fee group counselling program intended for people ages 18+ who self-identify as Indigenous women (Two-Spirit and trans inclusive).

February 5, 2020: Certificates in Aboriginal Governance and Partnership name amended to use "Indigenous" (The Gateway online)

Director of the certificate programs Shalene Jobin said she is "excited" for the change to better reflect the discipline as a whole

February 5, 2020: Trio of Edmonton Métis librarians using podcast to share Indigenous stories (Global News)

A trio of Edmonton librarians is harnessing the power of podcasting by giving voice to marginalized groups. Morgan Black has more on how the three Metis women are turning the page for Indigenous storytellers.

January 20, 2020: Instilling pride: First Nations in northern Alberta launch Cree language app (Edmonton Journal)

Imagine beginning to learn a new language through an app - but instead of an automated voice, it's your grandparents sharing their first language through your phone.

December 12, 2019: Revitalizing Indigenous languages through mobile apps and human connections (Nation Talk)
The National Research Council of Canada and Indigenous experts celebrate software for verb conjugation, predictive text, and other technologies developed together
January 1, 2020: 2019 Indigenous Education Year in Review (Academica Group)
2019 saw a marked shift toward stories that asked more broadly what Indigenization means on the grander scale, and how diverse knowledges and ways of being in the world can transform education at its most foundational levels.
December 10, 2019: Arctic U: Yukon passes bill to create first university in Canada's North (Globe and Mail)
Canada will finally have its first Arctic university.

November 18, 2019: U of S, Métis Nation-Saskatchewan sign MOU (Saskatoon Star-Phoenix)
The University of Saskatchewan has had connections with the Métis since its founding

November 11, 2019: Indigenous elders facing 'endless'demands as role expands (CBC)
'That's the meaning of this work: once you're committed you've got to commit to it,' says Elder Archie Weenie

 

October 24, 2019: New BC legislation would align BC laws with Internationally-recognized Indigenous education standards (Newswire.ca)
The provincial government has introduced legislation to implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UN Declaration), that, once passed, will make British Columbia the first province/territory in Canada to legislate its endorsement of the UN Declaration.

 

On or around October 1, 2019: SU officially adopts all Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation Committee recommendations (The Gateway)
Relationship between ASC and SU will "strengthen" through the recommendations.

 

September 15, 2019: Indigenous law and governance centre at U of A receives federal funding (WindSpeaker.com)
Wahkohtowin Law and Governance Lodge uses Indigenous legal traditions to support community governance.

 

July 15, 2019: )Student-created website and map shows U of A campus through Indigenous eyes (Folio
Award-winning site's creators hope to facilitate community-driven dialogue on campus

 

June 10, 2019: Canada Signs Historic Post-Secondary Education Agreement with Métis Nation (Métis Nation)
The Minister of Indigenous Services, Seamus O'Regan, and the President of the Métis National Council, Clément Chartier, signed a historic agreement that signals the Government of Canada's commitment to providing post-secondary education supports for Métis Nation students across Canada.

 

June 5, 2019: Design grad weaves Indigenous culture into successful fashion company (Folio)
LUXX founder Derek Jagodzinsky hopes to inspire others through his passion for designing culturally aware clothes.

 

June 2, 2019: N.W.T. elder to get honorary Doctor of Laws (CBC)
Sarah Jerome, territory's first official languages commissioner, to be honoured by University of Alberta.

 

May 25, 2019: Canadian medical schools commit to increasing Indigenous student admissions (CBC)
New action plan will be relationship based, hopes to recruit more Indigenous students into medical field. 

May 14, 2019: New public schools to honour artist Alex Janvier, 2 other community-building Edmontonians (Global News)
A Grade 4 to 9 school in the Westlawn community near 95 Avenue and 165 Street will honour artist Alex Janvier. 

May 2, 2019: Traditional Indigenous knowledge supports flood mitigation research in James Bay region (Folio)
Researchers collaborate with Kashechewan First Nation to understand changing spring flooding in northern Ontario. 

April 16, 2019: Indigenous Efforts Vary Widely on Canadian Campuses, studies find (University Affairs)
Institutions have focused mainly on Indigenous inclusion, but that's only one end of a spectrum of policies needed for reconciliation, researchers argue.

March 29, 2019: How a new generation of Indigenous researchers are bringing traditional knowledge to academia (CBC)
A summer program at Western University is pairing Indigenous undergrads with faculty members. 

February 22, 2019: What do people really mean when they say 'indigenization'? (Folio)
U of A researchers hope new study identifying three types of indigenization can close a gap in understanding.