The report to government, Addressing Truth and Reconciliation: Summary report of Ontario’s colleges, describes the findings of a 2017 survey of colleges on the programs and supports available to the 10,000 indigenous students. Every college in Ontario is incorporating Indigenous knowledge into its programs and services. There is a dedicated counselor for Indigenous students and an Indigenous education council advisory group at every one of the 24 colleges. As well, most colleges have implemented courses and learning modules specifically devoted to Indigenous issues. Highlights from the survey include:

• In addition to all colleges having a dedicated counselor for Indigenous students, a large majority provide additional student supports including access to Elders, peer tutoring, traditional medicines, sharing circles, and dedicated bursaries.
• Almost all colleges noted recent efforts to provide Indigenous students with a welcoming environment through dedicated Indigenous student centres and space for ceremonial purposes, traditional land acknowledgements, smudging policies, and traditional drumming and dancing at major campus events and celebrations.
• More than two-thirds of the sector reported on initiatives or partnerships to update curriculum with Indigenous knowledge. Colleges are working with Indigenous faculty and knowledge keepers to review curriculum, develop Indigenous learning outcomes, and create new modules, courses, and programs.
• Approximately 60 per cent of colleges are working with their Indigenous communities to develop standalone education strategies or are including Indigenous education within their strategic plans.

Centre of the Framework: Indigenous Learners

East Direction (Vision, New Beginnings): Ongoing Research and Development

• Develop and support Indigenous leadership and Indigenous knowledge related to:
  • Policy Development
  • Educational processes Student resilience
  • Language revitalization
• Foster partnerships
  • Indigenous communities, nations, and organizations
  • Within and across post-secondary institutions
  • Industry
  • Government
  • Aboriginal institutes

South Direction (Relationships, Time): Curriculum Design and Development

• Academic departments collaborate with Indigenous knowledge keepers in curriculum development
• Culturally appropriate curriculum and credentials, including:
  • Medical/Nursing
  • Legal/Justice
  • Education
  • Media
  • Social Work
  • Early Childhood Educators
  • Business
  • Environmental Studies
  • Languages
• Incorporate Indigenous learning outcomes into curriculum
• Core, mandatory and optional Indigenous courses and modules
• Experiential learning opportunities
• Quality assurance reflects Indigenous knowledge/practices
• Indigenous representation on Program Advisory Committees
• Support & engage all faculty to understand and teach Indigenous-based curriculum
• Instructional resources

West Direction (Knowledge, Truth): Indigenous Resources

• Physical space (Culturally safe and welcoming environments)
• Wrap around student services
• Transition services/programs
• Pathways
• Respect for traditional ceremonial practices
• Hiring Indigenous staff, faculty and administrators
• Hiring Indigenous leaders and knowledge keepers into senior positions
• Recruitment and promotion practices recognize Indigenous traditional knowledge and
• experience
• Indigenous representation on decision-making bodies (e.g., academic councils)
• Support for Indigenous staff professional development
• Sharing models of wise practices within and across institutions and sectors
• Mentoring opportunities for Indigenous staff

North Direction (Action, Movement, Reflection): Institutional Framework

• Student success (e.g., retention, attainment, satisfaction and well-being)
• Institutional investments (financial, human resources, etc.)
• Indigenous-specific professional development for staff, faculty, board of governors
• Meaningful engagement with IECs
• Local Indigenous education plans/strategies reflected in institutional governing documents
• Evaluation and assessment of progress

Going forward, Colleges Ontario will continue to build awareness and document the sector’s progress in an annual report for the system.