New partnership with Queen’s University to begin offering three new courses in Indigenous Studies in January 2022

FIRST NATION M’CHIGEENG (December 8, 2021) – Kenjgewin Teg, an Indigenous-run educational institute located on M’Chigeeng First Nation in Mnidoo Mnising (Manitoulin Island), and Queen’s University have a long history of partnering with the Community-Based Indigenous Teacher Education Program ( ITEP, formerly known as ATEP). Starting in January 2022, this partnership will together expand in a new and innovative direction, with a pilot program for students enrolled at Queen’s University to learn about Indigenous peoples, customs and culture directly from ‘an indigenous institute.

“We are delighted to partner with Queen’s in this important work to expand access to Indigenous Studies courses,” said Stephanie Roy, President of Kenjgewin Teg. “The new courses will provide students with the opportunity to improve their awareness of Indigenous perspectives on a wide range of topics, from climate change, to the connection between language and identity and the arts. Raising awareness of the perspectives and knowledge of indigenous peoples is a key part of the reconciliation process.

The new courses will also add to the breadth and depth of Queen’s existing academic offerings in Indigenous Studies. The new courses will be offered remotely through the Faculty of Arts and Sciences at Queen’s University from January to April 2022 as part of the one-term pilot agreement. Classes will focus on indigenous perspectives on climate change and sustainability practices related to indigenous water, theater and performance, and the importance of language in relation to collective and individual identity. Kenjgewin Teg and Queen’s will work together to recruit and select Indigenous teachers to teach the courses.

“This new collaboration with Kenjgewin Teg adds to the long history of partnership between the two institutions,” said Kanonhsyonne Janice Hill, Associate Vice-Principal (Indigenous Initiatives and Reconciliation). “I am delighted that we are combining our expertise in Indigenous studies with that of Kenjgewin Teg to offer these new courses to students, allowing them to deepen their understanding of Indigenous knowledge and experiences.

Kenjgewin Teg is currently expanding his opportunities for higher education learning and providing Indigenous Studies partnerships with current and new partners.

Kenjgewin Teg is located on Mnidoo Mnising (Manitoulin Island, ON). It is an Indigenous institute recognized in the Ontario Indigenous Institutes Act (2017), providing culturally appropriate community access and lifelong learning for mature post-secondary students.

Queen’s University is located in the territory of the Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabek. Home to more than 25,000 students, the university offers a comprehensive research-intensive environment. Queen’s University and Kenjgewin Teg have enjoyed a committed and now extended partnership relationship for two decades.

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For more information on this announcement, please contact:

Beverley Roy, Director of Quality Assurance
Office location: M’Chigeeng, ON (Manitoulin Island)
Email: beverleyroy@kenjgewinteg.ca
www.kenjgewinteg.ca