For more than six decades, Trent University has been a leader in Indigenous education. From establishing the country’s first Indigenous Studies program to our deep relationships with Indigenous peoples and nations, Trent is committed to creating spaces of dignity and respect for Indigenous peoples and Indigenous knowledge, and to fostering dialogue about Indigenous history, cultures and contributions.
As part of her installation as president, Dr. Cathy Bruce made a commitment to create a new strategy to guide Trent through the next 10 years of leadership in Indigenous education and Indigenous relations. This strategy will be the roadmap to strengthen our commitments to truth, reconciliation, and Indigenous-led learning across our campuses and in partnership with Indigenous communities.
To share more details feedback, or if you have any questions please send an email to indigenousstrategy@trentu.ca
Strategy Task Force
Co-chaired by Dr. Barbara Wall and Vice President Julie Davis, a President’s Task Force has been assembled with representatives from across the University. It is important that this work is done by Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples working together in a good way.
Mandate
The task force will undertake a consultative process within and outside the University to develop a series of recommendations which will serve as the basis for a 10-year Indigenous strategy.
The recommendations should consider Trent’s role in:
- continuing to be a global leader in Indigenous education
- developing strategies to incorporate Indigenous pedagogy and knowledge in curriculum development
- supporting Indigenous-led and informed research
- attracting and supporting Indigenous students
- amplifying our institutional contributions to Truth and Reconciliation and TRC Calls to Action
- advancing relationships and collaborations with the Michi Saagiig Anishinaabeg/ Williams Treaty Nations on whose traditional and treaty lands Trent is located, and Indigenous peoples and communities across the country
Scope
The task force is responsible for providing high level recommendations to the President on the opportunities to fulfill our responsibilities and enhance relationships in achieving the mandate. To assist in this work, the task force will prepare a summary of the initiatives already underway at Trent relevant to the mandate, including the outcomes of the 2017 Senate Committee on Indigenous Education and the corresponding actions approved by the Board of Governors in 2018, the most recent plans that have charted Trent’s leadership in Indigenous education.
Membership
- Dr. Barbara Moktthewenke Wall, co-chair, associate professor, Chanie Wenjack School for Indigenous Studies, director of studies, Indigenous Ph.D. program
- Julie Davis, co-chair, vice president, External Relations & Development
- Melody Crowe ‘98, alumna, Elder, Alderville First Nation
- Dr. Memee (Dawn) Lavell-Harvard, director, First Peoples House of Learning
- Dr. Hugo Lehman, dean, Trent/Fleming School of Nursing
- Christopher Rooney, senior director, Research and Innovation
- Chris Nelan, coordinator, Student Life, Trent Durham
- Dr. Shelley Knott-Fife '19, alumna/ recent graduate of PhD program, community member, Curve Lake First Nation
- Gayelyn Heffernan ’82, alumna, community member, Métis Nation, co-chair Indigenous Education Council
- Gabriella DeHass, Trent student, Alderville First Nation
- Dr. Nicole Bell, associate professor, Trent School of Education, coordinator Indigenous Bachelor of Education, Kitigan Zibi First Nation
- Dr. Paul Wilson, professor, Biology, coordinator Conservation Biology program
To help gather feedback from across the University, consultants from Clearly Then Inc. and Indigenize Consulting, have been retained and will be conducting listening sessions and supporting the Task Force.