Indigenization

New Indigenization Strategy and artwork unveiled at the Owen Sound Campus

 A new commissioned painting, Across the Horizon, by Anishnaabe artist and visual storyteller Emily Kewageshig was unveiled at the Owen Sound Campus as part of the Indigenous Strategy launch. 

Anishnaabemowin champions video series

Watch our Anishnaabemowin champions video series to hear from local Anishnaabemowin champions about their Anishnaabemowin journey and the importance of language revitalization.

Truth and Reconciliation Trail at the Orillia Campus

Flanked by stones hand-painted in a vivid orange, the forested Truth and Reconciliation Trail is a striking visual reminder to all campus visitors about the painful legacy of residential schools in Canada. 

Our vision for the process of Indigenization at Georgian is threefold

1. Georgian will be a college of choice for First Nations, Métis, and Inuit students and other students of Indigenous ancestry.
2. Indigenous students will thrive academically and personally throughout their education journey at Georgian.
3. Georgian campuses will be sites of transformative change for individuals where employees and students are empowered to support work related to decolonization, reconciliation, and Indigenization.

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Our framework for Indigenization

Georgian recognizes six overarching pillars (strategic priorities) of Indigenization:

To learn more about our vision, objectives, action items and success measures, read Georgian’s 2022-24 Indigenization Strategy – our guiding document for how we’ll continue our work of Truth and Reconciliaction over the next two years.

Georgian College acknowledges that all campuses are situated on the traditional land of the Anishnaabeg people. The Anishnaabeg include the Odawa, Ojibwe, and Pottawatomi nations, collectively known as the Three Fires Confederacy. Georgian College is dedicated to honouring Indigenous history and culture and committed to moving forward in the spirit of reconciliation and respect with all First Nation, Métis and Inuit people.

Watch the video to learn about the origins of this acknowledgement.

In 2015, Georgian College signed the Colleges and Institutes Canada, Indigenous Education Protocol recognizing and affirming our responsibility and obligation to Indigenous education.

In signing this protocol Georgian agreed to:

1. commit to making Indigenous education a priority.
2. ensure governance structures recognize and respect Indigenous peoples.
3. implement intellectual and cultural traditions of Indigenous peoples through curriculum and learning approaches relevant to learners and communities.
4. supporting students and employees to increase understanding and reciprocity among Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples.
5. commit to increasing the number of Indigenous employees with ongoing appointments, throughout the institution, including Indigenous senior administrators.
6. establish Indigenous-centred holistic services and learning environments for learner success.
7. build relationships and be accountable to Indigenous communities in support of self-determination through education, training, and applied research.

Georgian is extremely proud to be the gold winner of the 2022 Indigenous Education Excellence Award, presented by Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan).

The Indigenous Education Excellence Award recognizes a college or institute that has a demonstrated commitment to Indigenous education through innovative approaches and dedicated structures, curriculum, holistic support services and community partnerships that contribute to learner success, as well as socio-economic development and reconciliation within communities.

Watch a video to learn more about Indigenous initiatives at Georgian, and see the many ways students experience not only academic success, but also personal growth and development for their future lives.

The Elders Advisory Circle was founded in 2009 and is an important part of the college community. Indigenous Services holds an Elders Advisory Circle twice a year to share progress and receive advice and insights to better the Indigenous Services offered at Georgian College.

Pictured from left to right are, seated: Shirley John, Emily Norton and Pat Strong. Second row: Pat Whittington, Ernestine Baldwin, Kaila McCormick, Mercedes Jacko, Lorraine McRae, Jennifer Linklater. Back row: Greg McGregor, Terry Sahanatien, Roland St Germain and Verna Porter-Brunelle. Missing: Berdina Johnston , Loretta McDonald, Austen Mixemong

The Anishinaabe Education and Training Circle (AETC) is a community advisory committee that has undertaken a number of initiatives in partnership with Georgian College since its formation in 1992.

The overall goal of the partnership focuses on increasing the attraction, retention and graduation of students of Indigenous ancestry (First Nations, Métis and Inuit) in the post secondary environment.

• Barrie Area Native Advisory Circle
• Barrie Native Friendship Centre
• Beausoleil First Nation
• Biminaawzogin Regional Aboriginal Women’s Circle
• Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation
• Chippewas of Rama First Nation
• Chippewas of Nawash First Nation
• Georgian Bay Native Friendship Centre
• Huronia Area Aboriginal Management Board
• Métis Nation of Ontario

• Ogemawahj Tribal Council
• Orillia Native Women’s Group
• Saugeen First Nation #29
• Wahta Mohawk Territory
• Wasauksing First Nation
• Elder representative
• Alumni representative
• Current student representative
• Georgian College representative
• Board of Governors representative

Indigenization column archive

The following articles were written by Georgian’s Indigenization Specialist:

• First Nations, Métis and Inuit
• Smudging
• Canada 150 – An Indigenous perspective
• History of the Simcoe County region

Contact information

Sandi Pallister-Gougeon
Academic Program and Support Officer
Indigenous Studies/Services

249.388.0701
Email Sandi