Heritage College signs education protocol deepening their commitment to Indigenous students

Sophie Demers

CÉGEP Heritage college administration, along with Kitigan Zìbì Elders and community members gathered on September 18th in the college gardens for an Elder-led smudging and prayer ceremony before Heritage Board members officially signed the Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan) Indigenous Education Protocol.

“This signing is more than a symbolic act. It represents our institution's firm commitment to reconciliation, to strengthening relationships with our Indigenous peoples, and to advancing truth, respect and equity in education,” said Lisa Peldjak, Heritage College General Director, before signing the document with Cary O’Brien, Chair of the college’s Board of Governors. “The Protocol calls upon us to recognize Indigenous peoples in governance, to create welcoming and supportive learning environments, to integrate Indigenous knowledge and perspectives, and to work in true partnership with Indigenous communities. By signing today, we are affirming that these principles will guide our decisions, our practices and our future. We know this is a dream, and today's ceremony is a meaningful step forward.”

Heritage is the 75th institution to sign the protocol in Canada. The post-secondary institution is situated on the traditional and unceded territory of the Anishinàbe Algonquin Nation. Heritage is the only English-language CÉGEP in Western Quebec.

“Kitigan Zìbì Anishinàbeg leadership is pleased that the College is signing the CICan Indigenous Education Protocol. Indigenous education is a priority, and it is honourable that the College is making this commitment to better serve Indigenous students and Indigenous communities,” declared Chief Jean-Guy Whiteduck. Kitigan Zìbì Anishinàbeg is an Anishinàbe Algonquin community located North of Gatineau. Many of their post-secondary students attend Heritage College every year.

The signing of the protocol is part of an ongoing effort by the college to decolonize the school. The CICan protocol was created by a committee composed of college and institute representatives from across Canada in 2014. CICan is currently finalizing an updated protocol that will eventually replace the current version.

The protocol is founded on seven principals:

1. Committing to making Indigenous education a priority
2. Ensuring governance structures recognize and respect Indigenous peoples
3. Implementing intellectual and cultural traditions of Indigenous peoples through curriculum and learning approaches relevant to learners and communities
4. Supporting students and employees to increase understanding and reciprocity among Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples
5. Committing to increasing the number of indigenous employees with ongoing appointments throughout the institution, including Indigenous senior administrators
6. Establishing Indigenous-centred holistic services and learning environments for student success.
7. Building relationships and being accountable to Indigenous communities in support of self-determination through education, training and applied research.

“The signing of the Indigenous Education Protocol, as we all just witnessed, is more than just an agreement,” said Misty Blue Whiteduck, member of Kitigan Zibi’s museum of Knowledge and Heritage College Graduate. “It is a promise.  A promise to embrace a holistic approach to education, one that nurtures the mind, spirit, body and heart. A promise to recognize that Indigenous students deserve spaces where their identities are affirmed, their languages are celebrated, and their cultures are respected. Let us not forget that reconciliation is not a single act or a signed protocol. It is a daily commitment to walk with respect, humility and in partnership, so that generations yet to come inherit something stronger than what we hold today.”

The event ended with a catered reception. The food was served by Birch Bite Catering, a Maniwaki catering business.