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
Robert Pickton to remain in medically induced coma until later this week: police
Serial killer Robert Pickton will remain in a medically induced coma for at least the next few days following an attack in a Quebec prison Sunday, according to police spokesperson Hugues Beaulieu.
Charlie Colin, founding member of the pop-rock band Train, dies at 58
Charlie Colin, bassist and founding member of the American pop-rock band Train, best known for their early-aughts hits like 'Drops of Jupiter' and 'Meet Virginia,' has died. He was 58.
'Five feet nothing': Pickton's safety likely behind Quebec transfer, says ex-prison judge
When serial killer Robert Pickton was transferred from British Columbia's Kent Institution to a maximum security prison in Quebec about six years ago, correctional authorities gave no public explanation or confirmation at the time, citing privacy.
'I feel betrayed': Ottawa-area customers out thousands of dollars warn of bad faith contractor
A group of people from eastern Ontario and western Quebec is issuing a warning about Dennis Walker and his company Vue Windows.
Fancy pigeon outfitted in custom diaper has free rein in B.C. family home
When Chrissy Chin volunteered to take in a fancy pigeon abandoned on a park bench, she never imagined she would one day be ordering custom-made diapers for the bird – who lives in her house and has become a member of the family.
'We'll need all hands on deck': Details emerge after deadly boat crash near Kingston
Police say they have wrapped up their on-scene investigation into a deadly boat crash in eastern Ontario as details of the incident begin to emerge.
WestJet planning new fare category for travellers willing to forgo carry-on bag
WestJet Airlines plans to launch a new cheaper fare category that would be available to travellers willing to fly without a carry-on bag.
5 dead and at least 35 hurt in Iowa tornado: officials
Five people died and at least 35 were hurt as powerful tornadoes ripped through Iowa Tuesday, with one carving a path of destruction through the town of Greenfield, officials said.
Woman found dead in Lake Ontario in 2017 matches identity of missing person in Switzerland
Genetic genealogy has helped Toronto police identify a woman who was found dead in Lake Ontario in 2017.