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Dr . Shauneen Pete participating in the panel discussion for the Lloyd Barber Summit on Aboriginal Post-Secondary Education

Odawi Porter ( 2012 ) defines Indigenization as “ promoting the decolonized Indian life and the restoration of true self-determination .” ⁶ For educators , it means reclaiming and re-centering Indigenous ways of knowing , histories , and philosophies into the design of our courses . At the University of Regina , we are actively working together to Indigenize the University . This work is guided by a number of important structures : The Aboriginal Advisory Circle ( AAC ) to the President is one example .

The AAC is comprised of First Nations and Métis staff and faculty who volunteer to provide advice to the President . The AAC defines Indigenization in the following way :

The transformation of the existing academy by including Indigenous knowledges , voices , critiques , scholars , students , and materials as well as the establishment of physical and epistemic spaces that facilitate the ethical stewardship of a plurality of Indigenous knowledge ’ s and practices so thoroughly as to constitute an essential element of the university . It is not limited to Indigenous people , but encompasses all students and faculty , for the benefit of our academic integrity and our social viability .

Odawi Porter , R . ( 2012 ). The decolonization of Indigenous governance . In Waziyatawin & M . Yellow Bird , M . ( Eds .) 2012 . For Indigenous eyes only : A decolonization handbook . Sante Fe , NM : School for Advanced Research Press .

The President ’ s AAC , and the Faculty of Education ’ s Advisory Circle are working together to implement the vision for a more inclusive university as outlined in our Strategic Plan mâmawohkamâtowin ( Cree : Working Together ). President Timmons consistently delivers the message that our University must work to better reflect and to serve the Indigenous peoples of the Treaty 4 territory . The President relies on the advice of the AAC to determine organizational change priorities and initiatives . We have been working together for just over a year now . Some of the initial approaches that we are taking include the following :

• active recruitment and retention of Indigenous students , staff , and faculty ;

• creation of the Executive Indigenization Lead position reporting to the President ;

• transformation of policies specific to feasting and smudging ;

• expansion and relocation of the Aboriginal Student Centre ;

• nitôncipâmin omâ (“ We Are Here ”) support of first year students through the Student Success Program ;

• regular visits by our President to First Nations and Northern communities in order to build relationships ;

• more seamless transfer of tuition and fee payments , facilitated by an Indigenous employee in the Finance Department who maintains working relationships with individual First

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Education News Spring/Summer 2013 | Page 9

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