Category: Seminars, Webinars, Workshops, and Symposiums

Institutional racism and the implications for faculties of education


On September 30, (#OrangeShirtDay) Dr. Jerome Cranston (#UREdu Dean and Professor) was keynote lecturer for the University of Manitoba’s Distinguished Lecturer Virtual Series.  Cranston addressed how amid the current period of racial reckoning, those responsible for teacher preparation, preservice and in-service education, need to confront and (re)consider how higher education has reified systemic racism.

New Indigenous Speaker Series

Whisperings of the Land is the theme for a new Indigenous Speaker’s Series towards understanding Indigenization. Indigenous people have always had a close relationship to the land. There has also been an historical disruption in land relocations, land desecration and pillaging for economic gain. Our presenters will relate to how the land speaks to them.

The first speaker will be Dr. James Daschuk, author of Clearing the Plains.

January 23, 2018 at 12:00 p.m. (noon)

Education Building, Room 210

The Indigenous Speaker Series is open to all Education faculty, staff, and students.

Teacher Education Programs gather for Indigenous Knowledge Exchange

TEP gathering to discuss Indigenous Knowledge

On November 8 and 9, 2017, Teacher Education Programs’  faculty, directors, and program heads (SUNTEP, ITEP, NTEP, and YNTEP) gathered together for an Indigenous Knowledge Exchange. This was the first time the TEPs came together since 2008, when several TEPs gathered to discuss Indigenous ways of knowing.

Keith Adolph (TPC coordinator) and Dr. Val Mulholland (Associate Dean)
Wanneta Martin (Assistant to the Associate Dean) registering TEP guests.

Hosted by the University of Regina, Faculty of Education, the Indigenous Knowledge Exchange gathering “provided an opportunity for participants to advance and strengthen relationships between one another, engage in transformative Indigenous education, and collaborate and plan for the future,” says SUNTEP Regina coordinator, Janice R. Thompson. Thompson was involved in the organization and planning along with Associate Dean, Dr. Val Mulholland, Associate Dean’s Assistant, Wanneta Martin, and Acting Dean of Education, Dr. Andrea Sterzuk, along with others who assisted with this event.

The day was hosted by Janice R. Thompson and began with opening prayers by SUNTEP Regina’s, Erma Taylor and opening remarks by Acting Dean, Dr. Andrea Sterzuk.  Chairman of the GDI Board of Governors, Dr. Earl Cook, brought opening greetings on behalf of Gabriel Dumont Institute. Dr. Sherry Farrell-Racette, professor in the Department of Visual Arts, MAP, brought a keynote.

Over the course of two days, the group explored themes that emerged such as “similarities and differences between the TEP programs and establishing a safe space for us to examine our work,” says Thompson. Scheduled theme discussions included TEP’s philosophy and TRC Calls to Action, Indigenous pedagogy and research (land-based pedagogy), language development and preservation, and successes and challenges.

Thompson says, “This invaluable two-day experience continued to demonstrate our commitment to Indigenous teacher training in the academy, and we are humbled by this. We look forward to gathering in the near future, and not another ten year wait!”

Janice R. Thompson welcoming TEP members to Indigenous Knowledge Exchange
Dr. Earl Cook brings greetings as Chairman of the Board of Governors for Gabriel Dumont Institute
Dr. Sherry Farrell-Racette giving keynote address.

Photo credits: Shuana Niessen