Working Group Update & Terms of Reference

Originally published as a note on our Facebook page, January 26, 2017

Native Students’ Association

University of Toronto

5563 Spadina Ave, Toronto ON, 4^th floor

nsa.utoronto@gmail.com

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January 26, 2017

Dear Sisters and Brothers,

While we are celebrating Indigenous Education Week at the University of Toronto it is important to share knowledge and build awareness within our communities. The Native Students' Association (NSA) would like to thank all of our supporters and allies during our diligent work in petitioning the University of Toronto for more Indigenous content in U of T classes across all departments. We are pleased to share an update that our concerns were well received and supported by the university’s Undergraduate Faculty of Arts and Sciences. We are proud to announce our Crane Clan & Governance Leader Audrey Rochette was chosen to co-chair the Working Group for Indigenous Teaching and Learning (ITL), along with Professor Heidi Bohaker from the History Department. The committee, made up of faculty, staff, and students, is engaged in building on Indigenous teaching and learning opportunities within the Arts and Sciences to help us begin the process of reconciliation through education.

We are happy to announce that many of our NSA Clan Leaders are members of the Working Group for Indigenous Teaching and Learning. Our participation on this committee is integral to furthering our goals as members of the Native Students' Association, which center on the revision of undergraduate curriculum and increased opportunities for experiential, interdisciplinary, and inclusive learning.

The following are the Arts and Science ITL Working Group proposed terms of references the NSA is committed to as we move forward on this journey.

1. Existing and potential opportunities for students to explore courses, undergraduate research opportunities, and co-curricular opportunities taught from an Indigenous perspective or that incorporate Indigenous content.

2. Identifying ways to enhance support and services to Indigenous students to ensure that their academic, spiritual, mental and physical needs are being met effectively. These supports have a direct impact on their success and ability to participate fully in their programs.

3. Potential approaches to faculty and course development to support enhanced or expanded opportunities for engagement with Indigenous perspectives or the incorporation of Indigenous content.

4. Potential approaches for A&S faculty and staff training to improve their awareness of Indigenous perspectives and issues, and to better prepare them to meet the needs of Indigenous students.

5. Liaise with other university divisions with respect to curriculum, student research opportunities, and co-curricular opportunities taught from an Indigenous perspective or that incorporate Indigenous content.

6. Clarification and careful consideration of the present capacity of the existing Indigenous (formerly Aboriginal) Studies program (ISP) to support access to Indigenous knowledges across the Faculty, and recommendations on ways to strengthen this capacity if appropriate.

7. Recommended or potential responses to relevant TRC Calls to Action.

8. Responses to calls for information or recommendations emerging from the institutional TRC steering committee.

There is more work to be done by the Native Students’ Association and the University and this will be a journey in solidarity.

Chi-miigwech,

Native Students Association Clan Council 2016/17

Crane Clan, Loon Clan, Bear Clan, Hoof Clan, Fish Clan, Bird Clan, Marten Clan