Kory Wilson, Executive Director of Indigenous Initiatives and Partnerships at BCIT, was invited by the Empire Club of Canada to speak on the power of education in advancing Reconciliation and making true, lasting change.
“Indigenization or Reconciliation in post-secondary institutions is not simply about adding Indigenous content to the curriculum or hiring an Indigenous person,” says Kory in the live webcast. “It is about how we make true and systemic lasting change in institutions that come from Eurocentric views and values. Truth and Reconciliation is not only the work of governments and communities but it is the work of all of us as people.”
Joined by moderator Chief Stacey Laforme of Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and panelists Dr. Tracy Bear, Director and Assistant Professor of the McMaster Indigenous Research Institute and Chief Cadmus Delorme of Cowessess First Nation, the virtual stage discusses the connection between education and reconciliation, and the impact of steps being taken to integrate Indigenous ways of knowing, being and doing in the classroom and beyond.
“One thing I’m proud of at BCIT is that we’ve created an Indigenous Vision where we’ve built a powerful framework and an example of what education and the academy can do and also within it,” says Kory. “It’s not just about what we should and could do, but it’s also holding ourselves accountable about what we can do. We recognize that advancing Reconciliation and Truth at BCIT is a responsibility of all schools and all departments.”
To watch a recording of this event, visit the Empire Club of Canada website.
For online resources to support your awareness on Indigenous topics, visit Indigenous Initiatives.