Manitoulin Island educational institute receives accreditation
Kenjgewin Teg, located on M’Chigeeng First Nation on Manitoulin Island, is now an officially accredited Indigenous institution in Ontario.
The organization received its credentials from the Indigenous Advanced Education and Skills Council. Indigenous institutes are the third pillar in Ontario’s post-secondary education sector, and upon a successful organization review, can offer certificates, diplomas and degrees.
"We are still part of the sector and we clearly have to delineate that we’re still going to have partnerships with our colleges and universities as we do right now," said Stephanie Roy, Kenjgewin Teg president.
"But we’re also going to have independent programs that are going to have specifically the Kenjgewin Teg seal and those will go through the rigours of a quality assurance process that the province has set out."
Roy said the process will take some time, but they'll be working closely with the Indigenous Advanced Education Skills Council to develop programs.
Speaking on behalf of the United Chiefs and Councils of Mnidoo Mnising Chairperson Patsy Corbiere, Chief Linda Debassige said the announcement was a long time coming.
"Kenjgewin Teg has been striving for this for many years, facing many uphill challenges for being an Indigenous-led institution," said Debassige.
"It's something they’ve been doing for many years and to achieve this accreditation, in our view, is about time."
The institute has been offering post-secondary education and training programs grounded in the Anishinaabe worldview for decades. It recently acquired more than 50 Indigenous studies courses from the University of Sudbury.
And it's now working to build a standalone Indigenous studies program focusing on Anishinabemowin (Ojibway language), land-based learning, governance, community development and reconciliation.
Roy said new programs and curriculum development will take time and additional resources over the next five years, although she said staff members are already hard at work.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Minister 'outraged' after AFN national chief's headdress taken from Air Canada cabin
The federal minister of Crown-Indigenous relations is calling on Air Canada to 'make things right' with the national chief of the Assembly of First Nations, who said her headdress was removed from an airplane cabin during a flight this week.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
BREAKING Stranded orca calf swims out of B.C. lagoon where she was trapped for weeks
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
'Violation': CSIS had officer investigated after she reported a superior raped her
A CSIS officer's allegations that she was raped repeatedly by a superior in agency vehicles set off a harassment inquiry, but also triggered an investigation into her that concluded the alleged attacks were a “misuse” of agency vehicles by the woman.
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
Canada recognizes housing as a human right. Few provinces have followed suit
As more Canadians find themselves struggling to afford or find housing, the country's smallest province is the only one that can point to legislation recognizing housing as a human right.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.