Sault College Signs Colleges and Institutes Canada Indigenous Education Protocol

Supplied by Sault College… (Sault Ste. Marie, ON March 13, 2015) Sault College has signed Colleges and Institutes Canada’s (CICan) historic Indigenous Education Protocol today. The protocol was developed in consultation with partners in Indigenous communities to reaffirm the importance of Indigenous education.

“Sault College continues to be an education destination for Aboriginal students from around the province and we have identified Anishinaabek education as a key priority for the institution with a strong focus and mandate for Anishinaabek student success and inclusion,” stated Ron Common, President of Sault College at the event.  “Today’s signing will help to ensure that Sault College continues to develop relationships and works in partnership with all Aboriginal peoples in the province to better their skills and improve their participation in Ontario’s labour market and economy.”    Dr. Ron Common, President of Sault College, Peter Berlingieri, Chair, Sault College Board of Governors, Marnie Yourchuk, NETC Chair and James Scott, Native Student Council President, signed the national document that underscores the importance of structures and approaches required to address Indigenous peoples’ learning needs and support self-determination and socio-economic development of Indigenous communities. The protocol is founded on seven principles that aim to guide the institutions who will sign the document.

The Indigenous Education Protocol was developed by CICan Indigenous Education Committee comprising of college and institute representatives including Sault College’s Carolyn Hepburn, Director, Native Education and Academic Upgrading. The committee led consultations with national Indigenous organizations including the Assembly of First Nations, the Metis National Council and Inuit Tapiirit Kanatami.

“Sault College becomes the eighth organization in Ontario to sign the national document,” notes Hepburn. “The spirit of the Protocol is to support colleges’ and institutes’ commitment to Indigenous education and provide a vision of how we can strive to improve and better serve Indigenous peoples. This is a significant day in the history of our College and I honoured to be a part of this national document.”