How have the Schools of Journalism responded to Call to Action # 86? Not very well.


Of the 21 Schools of Journalism across Canada, only 6 have completely addressed the five specific elements identified in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Call to Action # 86 and another 6 have partially addressed those same five elements.

Call to Action # 86

We call upon Canadian journalism programs and media schools to require education for all students on the history of Aboriginal peoples, including (1) the history and legacy of residential schools, (2) the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, (3) Treaties and Aboriginal rights, (4) Indigenous law, and (5) Aboriginal–Crown relations. 

The main focus of the following table is which Schools of Journalism offer a MANDATORY course on the five items identified above.

Journalism Schools

Journalism School Mandatory Course # of Topics % of Topics Description
BC Institute of Technology Yes 5 of 5 100% Content integrated into multiple courses
First Nations University Canada Yes 5 of 5 100% Content integrated into multiple courses
Mount Royal University Yes 5 of 5 100% Content integrated into core courses
University of BC Yes 5 of 5 100% 1 course: Masters program
University of Kings College Yes 5 of 5 100% 1 course: Single Hours Degree; 1 combined in 2024. 1 prerequisite
College of North Atlantic Yes 5 of 5 100% 1 course: Focus on Nfld. and Labrador
Toronto Metropolitan University Yes 4 of 5 80% Learning outcomes integrated into courses
Kwentlen Polytechnic University Yes 4 of 5 80% 1 course
Carleton University Yes 4 of 5 80% 1 course
Langara College Yes 4 of 5 80% Content integrated into multiple courses
Algonquin College Yes 4 of 5 80% Content integrated into multiple courses
University of Toronto-Scarborough Limited 2.5/5 50% 2 course cover some content
Concordia University Fall 2024 3 of 5 60% 3 credit course ready for Sept. 2024
McEwan College Fall 2024 2/5 40% Must select one course from eight offered
University Regina In Future 1 of 5 20% Collaborate w/Indigenous Communications Art
Centennial College No 0 of 5 0% No Mandatory course
University of Guelph-Humber No 0 of 5 0% No Mandatory course
Sheridan College No 0 of 5 0% No Mandatory course
University of Ottawa No 0 of 5 0% No Mandatory course
Western University No 0 of 5 0% 1 optional course
Wilfrid Laurier University No 0 of 5 0% No Mandatory course

The detailed information on how each school has responded to Call to Action # 86 can be found under Journalism Schools Each document was sent to each of the Journalism Schools for validation and approval before being posted to the Indigenous Watchdog website. Although 14 of the Schools did respond to our inquiries, the following 7 schools did not respond to our multiple inquiries for validation and approval so these documents have not been officially endorsed:

  • Centennial College School of Communication, Media, Arts and Design
  • First Nations University of Canada – Indigenous Communication & Fine Arts
  • University of Guelph – Humber Media and Communication studies
  • Sheridan College – Faculty Animation, Arts and design College Diploma Kounalism program
  • University of Ottawa Department of Communications Digital Journalism Program
  • Western University Faculty of Information & Medical Studies
  • Wilfrid University – Digital Media and Journalism

Of the above schools that did not respond, one highlighted above in BOLD still ranked at 100% for completing the five elements of Call to Action # 86 based on information found on their website.

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