Iyanuoluwa Akinrinola is a Ph.D. candidate in Interdisciplinary Social Research (IDSR) and instructor at Trent University. After completing her Bachelor of Education at Trent’s Symons Campus in Peterborough, Professor Akinrinola began at Trent Durham, teaching future educators in the School of Education. “My experience with the Trent learning community has been one that has challenged me to examine what I know, what I thought I knew, and what I desire to know, both in my personal and professional life,” said Professor Akinrinola. She works to instill this cycle of self-reflection in her students and to teach future educators how involving all voices and perspectives produces a collaborative learning environment, allowing students to learn from one another as much as their instructor. 

This focus on learning in community is key to Prof. Akinrinola’s approach to training educators. Providing space for individuals to exercise their authentic selves and explore their own learning paths are key. “I challenge the dominant narrative and change it through learning and sharing. As a Black woman, I always ask those around me to think of the missing and omitted voices in all that we do,” said Prof. Akinrinola. “As a member of my community, I make sure to foster connections, build bridges to allow for Black voices to enter into spaces and contribute to places that they have often been excluded from.” 

Highlighting Black and Indigenous voices is one way that Prof. Akinrinola reminds students that despite the history of erasure and deemphasizing the voices and experiences of these communities, Black communities have been a part of Canada’s history since before Confederation.  

“There are many scores of Afro-Indigenous communities, as well as Black peoples who came to Canada as settlers and not as enslaved peoples. Having time intentionally set apart to recognize and celebrate Black History, particularly in Canada, is a call to action for all people to truly take the time to learn about and get to understand the history of Black people in Canada, and to understand Canada as a whole. Black History in Canada is not separate from Canadian history, and contrary to popular belief, it does not begin or end with the enslavement of Black people,” said Prof. Akinrinola.“Black voices are not only here, but they have been here and have been a crucial part of Canadian identity.” 

Prof. Akinrinola finds that Trent’s Bachelor of Education program is special in its approach to Indigenous studies—in particular, emphasizing telling untold stories—and hopes that this mindset can influence how educators at Trent and beyond develop learning spaces and curricula that reflect the experiences of Black communities as well.  

Learn more about the Bachelor of Education program at Trent.