Pedagogy and Curriculum Working Group

Mandate 

Identified needs and opportunities for including Indigenous knowledge and ways of knowing/being/doing in undergraduate and graduate learning environments.

Areas of focus 

• Program and curriculum development

• Instruction and assessment

• Indigenous community engagement

• Experiential learning opportunities

• Support for learners 

• Instructor support for indigenizing the classroom 

Approaches to accomplishing our goals: 

• Reviewed visions for reconciliation and indigenization of educational programs from other post-secondary institutions 

• Reviewed past and current campus initiatives, programs and academic services 

• Engaged and facilitated forums for learning and reflection with campus, community and relevant partners 

• Considered academic policies and procedures that might constrain or facilitate indigenization of educational programs 

Outcomes of the Working Group 

• Recommendations as to what was needed to successfully include Indigenous knowledges and ways of knowing, being and doing and support Indigenous scholars in undergraduate and graduate learning environments 

• Recommendations as to how to achieve these changes and to accelerate indigenization in our educational mission

Timeframe 

The completion of the Indigenous Initiatives Strategy.

Membership 

The membership included students, faculty, staff and community members including Indigenous individuals. Members had expertise and experience in a range of areas. Other U of G staff, faculty or students, as well as Indigenous community and professionals external to the University, were added as needed. 

Meetings 

Approximately once per month.

Roles and Responsibilities 

The Chair of the Working Group was responsible for: 

• Championing and leading the work of the Working Group 

• Serving as the interface between the Steering Committee and the Working Gropu 

• Calling monthly meetings, approving meeting agendas and chairing the meetings 

• Coordinating additional meetings, as required 

• Ensuring action and follow-up is taken on initiatives approved by the Steering Committee or Working Group 

The members of the Working Group were responsible for: 

• Being champions and change agents to support the move towards an Indigenous Initiatives Strategy 

• Contributing Knowledge, perspective experience, creativity, and subject-matter expertise 

• Being accountable for their contributions and coming to meetings prepared 

• Following up on action items between meetings, providing support to advance items, as required 

Decision-making 

The Working Group used a consensus model for decision making. In the event consensus could not be achieved, the Chair invoked a vote through a show of hands. In the event of a tie vote, the Chair shall sought the advice for reconsideration at the next meeting. 

Review and Approval of Terms of Reference 

The Terms of Reference were finalized by the Working Group and reviewed as needed.