Skip to main content

The Age of Reconciliation: Transforming Postsecondary Education

  • Living reference work entry
  • First Online:
Handbook of Indigenous Education

Abstract

The recent release of the Truth and Reconciliation’s (TRC) Call to Actions in Canada has caused many postsecondary institutions to re-examine how they are providing educational services to Indigenous students. However, it is important to recognize that Indigenous peoples have been advocating for changes to the education systems for many decades. Drawing on personal and professional experience, the author focuses on transformative strategies that have been utilized to bring about a positive movement of change to support Indigenous learners at one postsecondary institution in the province of Ontario. It aims to capture the notion that the work being accomplished today is rooted in the past and the present and recognizes the challenges and complexities of bringing about a sustained change.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Abele F, Dittburner C, Graham KA (2000) Towards a shared understanding in the policy discussion about aboriginal education. In: Castellano MB, Davies L, LaHache L (eds) Aboriginal education: fulfilling the promise. UBC Press, Vancouver, pp 3–24

    Google Scholar 

  • AFN (Assembly of First Nations) (1988) Tradition and education: towards a vision of our future. AFN, Ottawa

    Google Scholar 

  • AFN (Assembly of First Nations) (1994) Breaking the silence: an interpretative study of residential school impact and healing as illustrated by the stories of first nations individuals. AFN, Ottawa

    Google Scholar 

  • AFN (Assembly of First Nations) (2016) Description of the AFN. Retrieved 17 Oct 2016, from http://www.afn.ca/en/about-afn/description-of-the-afn

  • Alcoze T, Mawhiney A (1988) Returning home: a report on a community based native human services project. Laurentian University Press, Sudbury

    Google Scholar 

  • Baker S (2016) Journey to wellness: identifying culturally relevant supportive services for first nations peoples in northeastern Ontario during their cancer journey. (Unpublished masters thesis). Laurentian University, Sudbury

    Google Scholar 

  • Barman J, Hebert Y, McCaskill D (1987) The challenge of Indian education: an overview. In: Barman J, Hebert Y, McCaskill D (eds) Indian education in Canada: volume 2: the challenge. UBC Press, Vancouver, pp 1–21

    Google Scholar 

  • Blight S, King H (2016) Naming is a good start – but we need to do more for reconciliation. Globe and Mail Opinion. Globe and Mail, Toronto. Retrieved 17 Oct 2016, from http://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/naming-is-a-good-start-but-we-need-to-do-more-for-reconciliation/article32373624/

    Google Scholar 

  • Chrisjohn R, Young S, (with Maraun M) (1997) The circle game: shadows and substances in the Indian residential school experience in Canada. Theytus Books, Penticton

    Google Scholar 

  • Cote-Meek S (2014) Colonized classrooms: racism, trauma and resistance in post-secondary education. Fernwood Publishing, Halifax/Winnipeg

    Google Scholar 

  • Fontaine P (2015) Foreward. In: Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC) (2016), A knock on the door: the essential history of residential schools from the truth and reconciliation Commission of Canada, edited and abridged. University of Manitoba Press, Manitoba

    Google Scholar 

  • Government of Canada (1998) Statement of apology to former students of Indian residential schools: address by the Honourable Jane Stewart Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development on the occasion of the unveiling of Gathering Strength – Canada’s Aboriginal Action Plan. Retrieved 18 Oct 2016, from https://www.aadnc-aandc.gc.ca/eng/1100100015725/1100100015726

  • Grande S (2008) Red pedagogy: the un-methodology. In: Denzin N, Lincoln Y, Smith L (eds) Handbook of critical and Indigenous methodologies. SAGE, Los Angeles, pp 233–254

    Google Scholar 

  • Graveline F (1998) Circle works: transforming eurocentric consciousness. Fernwood, Halifax

    Google Scholar 

  • Gunn Allen P (1992) The sacred hoop: recovering the feminine in American Indian traditions. Beacon Press, Boston

    Google Scholar 

  • Hart MA (1996) Sharing circles: utilizing traditional practise methods for teaching, helping, and supporting. In: O’Meara S, West DA (eds) From our eyes: learning from Indigenous peoples. Garamound Press, Toronto, pp 59–72

    Google Scholar 

  • Hart M (2002) Seeking mino-pimatisiwin: an aboriginal approach to helping. Fernwood Publishing, Halifax

    Google Scholar 

  • Hill L (n.d.) First nations post-secondary education: an examination of post-secondary student support and institutional development. Retrieved 15 Oct 2016, from http://education.chiefs-of-ontario.org/upload/documents/resources/manifesto/12.first-nations-post-secondary-educatio.pdf

  • LaRocque E (2004) When the ‘Wild west’ is me: re-viewing cowboys and Indians. In: Felske L, Rasporich B (eds) Challenging frontiers: the Canadian west. University of Calgary Press, Calgary, pp 136–153

    Google Scholar 

  • Laurentian University (2016a) About. Retrieved 15 Oct 2016, from https://laurentian.ca/about-laurentian

  • Laurentian University (2016b). Retrieved 18 Oct 2016, from https://laurentian.ca/lunec

  • Laurentian University Faculty of Arts (2015) Our tricultural mandate. Retrieved 16 Oct 2016, from https://laurentian.ca/faculty/arts/our-tricultural-mandate

  • Laurentian University ISLC Pamphlet (2015). Sudbury: Indigenous Programs

    Google Scholar 

  • Lavalleé L (2008) Balancing the medicine wheel through physical activity. J Aborig Health 4(1):64–71

    Google Scholar 

  • LU Strat Plan 2012–2017 Laurentian University Strategic Plan 2012–2017. Retrieved 15 Oct 2016, from https://laurentian.ca/strategic-plan

  • Maamwizing Indigenous Conference (Maamwizing) (Nov 18–20, 2016). Retrieved October 13 2016, from https://laurentian.ca/faculty/arts/indigenous-affairs/maamwizing

  • MacDonald N (2015) Required reading: making Indigenous classes mandatory, Macleans. Retrieved 18 Oct 2016, from http://www.macleans.ca/education/making-history-2/

  • Mihesuah D, Wilson A (2004) Introduction. In: Mihesuah DA, Wilson AC (eds) Indigenizing the academy: transforming scholarship and empowering communities. University of Nebraska Press, Lincoln, pp 1–15

    Google Scholar 

  • Miller JR (1996) Shingwauk’s vision: a history of Native residential schools. University of Toronto Press, Toronto

    Google Scholar 

  • Milloy JS (1999) A national crime: the Canadian government and the residential school system 1879–1986. University of Manitoba Press, Winnipeg

    Google Scholar 

  • Moeke-Pickering T (2010) Decolonisation as a social change framework and its impact on the development of Indigenous-based curricula for helping professionals in mainstream tertiary education organisations. (Unpublished doctoral thesis). University of Waikato, Hamilton

    Google Scholar 

  • Moeke-Pickering & Cote-Meek (2015) Strengthening Indigenous social work in the academy. J Indig Soc Dev 4(1):1–11

    Google Scholar 

  • Nabigon H (2006) The hollow tree: fighting addiction with traditional Native healing. McGill-Queen’s University Press, Montreal

    Google Scholar 

  • National Indian Brotherhood (NIB) Assembly of First Nations (1972) Indian control of Indian education. NIB, Ottawa

    Google Scholar 

  • Niigaan Ninaabin: looking forward to the future, 2013–2018 (Niigaan Ninaabin) (2013) Pamphlet. Laurentian University, Sudbury

    Google Scholar 

  • RCAP (Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples) (1996) Gathering strength, vol 3. Canada Communications Group, Ottawa

    Google Scholar 

  • Secretariat, United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (2009) Indigenous peoples, Indigenous voices factsheet. Retrieved 18 Oct 2016, from http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/unpfii/documents/5session_factsheet1.pdf

  • Smith G (2000) Maori education: revolution and transformative action. Can J Nativ Educ 24(1): 57–72

    Google Scholar 

  • Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC) (2015) Truth and reconciliation of call Canada: calls to action. Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, Manitoba. Retrieved 18 Oct 2016, from http://www.trc.ca/websites/trcinstitution/File/2015/Findings/Calls_to_Action_English2.pdf

    Google Scholar 

  • Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC) (2016) A knock on the door: the essential history of residential schools from the truth and reconciliation commission of Canada, edited and abridged. University of Manitoba Press, Manitoba

    Google Scholar 

  • Universities Canada (2015) Universities Canada principles on Indigenous education. Retrieved 13 Oct 2016, from http://www.univcan.ca/media-room/media-releases/universities-canada-principles-on-indigenous-education/

  • Watson W, Watson S (2013) Exploding the ivory tower: systemic change for higher education. TechTrends 57(5):42–46

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Watters H (2015) Truth and reconciliation Chair urges Canada to adopt UN declaration on Indigenous Peoples, CBC News. Retrieved 18 Oct 2016, from http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/truth-and-reconciliation-chair-urges-canada-to-adopt-un-declaration-on-indigenous-peoples-1.3096225

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Sheila Cote-Meek .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Section Editor information

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2018 Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.

About this entry

Cite this entry

Cote-Meek, S. (2018). The Age of Reconciliation: Transforming Postsecondary Education. In: McKinley, E., Smith, L. (eds) Handbook of Indigenous Education. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-1839-8_37-1

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-1839-8_37-1

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Singapore

  • Print ISBN: 978-981-10-1839-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-981-10-1839-8

  • eBook Packages: Springer Reference EducationReference Module Humanities and Social SciencesReference Module Education

Publish with us

Policies and ethics