University College of the North

The University College of the North’s (UCN) Strategic Plan continues to ensure UCN contributes to a stronger north through teaching, learning, scholarship, and economic and social development. One of our strategic directions is to “Advance an Agenda of Reconciliation: Responding to the Calls to Action in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s report, UCN’s curriculum, systems, and processes will support and reflect the strengths of indigenous peoples in the north. UCN will create opportunities for self-determined economic and social development by Indigenous communities.”

Several activities and initiatives have been undertaken to enliven this strategic direction. Within the academic area, workshops and information sessions on Indigegogy have been offered to staff and faculty. A proposal title Indigegogy Community of Practice received funding from the National Indian Brotherhood and will begin September 2021. The Beliefs About Learning and Teaching at UCN created by the Centre for Learning and Research include reconciliation statements. The Learning Council approved a motion that requires all courses to include a minimum of one learning outcome related to Indigenous knowledges, pedagogies, and practices. An Indigenization Strategy has been dratied and its action plan is being created.

Additionally, UCN held its annual Truth & Reconciliation Conference virtually this year on April 7 & 8, 2021. It hosted several well-known indigenous keynote speakers and presenters and was well attended. The terms of reference for the Truth and Reconciliation Steering Committee have been revised and that committee is in the process of developing a strategy.