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
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
The Indian couple killed in a wrong-way police chase crash on Highway 401 earlier this week has been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
2 charged after police find 'concerning and diverse' explosives at Manitoba home
Winnipeg police say they have arrested two people in their 20s after a large amount of explosives were found in a home outside of Winnipeg, Man.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Spain abolishes national bullfighting award in cultural shift
Spain scrapped an annual bullfighting award on Friday, prompting a rebuke from conservatives over a backlash against a centuries-old tradition they see as an art form but which has run into growing concern for animal welfare.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.
Police officer hit by driver of fleeing vehicle in Toronto
York Regional Police say they are continuing to search for a suspect in an auto theft investigation who was captured on video running over a police officer in Toronto last month.