North Island College is being recognized for its Indigenous-service international education program through yet another award.
According to the college, the program called Journeying Together has been chosen as the national Reconciliation and Internationalization Award of Excellence recipient this year. The award is from the Canadian Bureau for International Education.
They add the award recognizes leadership and initiative in advancing reconciliation with Indigenous communities through international education on campus.
“Guidance from diverse Indigenous-community partners globally provides rich perspectives on what it means to be Indigenous-service. These partnerships facilitate exchange of ideas, experiences and mutual support with the aim to advance a sense of solidarity among Indigenous communities and like-minded institutions world-wide,” said international education executive director Mark Herringer.
“Implementation of Journeying Together truly needs to be centred on the journey rather than the destination, as we transform international education from a process founded in colonial principles to one guided by the knowledge, cultural traditions and aspirations of Indigenous communities.”
The program was also honoured with a bronze medal at the College and Institutes Canada World Congress earlier in the year.
Weaving Indigenization with international education is a part of NIC’s commitment to become an Indigenous-serving institution. They add they want to leave a legacy of hope that aligns with the beliefs and aspirations of the Indigenous people and the communities they serve.
“We are responsible for fulfilling the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s calls to action. This responsibility is deeply meaningful to all of us at NIC and throughout the communities we serve,” said NIC president and CEO Lisa Domae.
The plan is considered the first of its kind in Canada.
