On December 3rd, 2014, Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan - formerly Association of Canadian Community Colleges) is coordinating a national signing of an Aboriginal Education Protocol with member institutions. The protocol is intended to publicly acknowledge commitment to the national and provincial economic and social imperative to develop capacity from within the Aboriginal community through access to a culturally relevant education. Recognizing unique aspects of Canada's history with Aboriginal peoples, the document references the significance of cultural self-determination within the broader societal framework, and also the importance of defining the role of Aboriginal peoples in relationship to each institution.

In Fall 2009, Humber submitted a proposal for funding to the MTCU for the purpose of improving Aboriginal student access and success. This targeted funding envelope was first received in Winter 2010, and since then Humber's Aboriginal population has grown from less than one hundred to close to six hundred students. This number is similar in proportion to Aboriginal people in the GTA.

Since 2010, the college has demonstrated its commitment to our Aboriginal community in the following ways:

1. Hiring Elder Shelley Charles in a full time capacity and beginning the process of establishing an Aboriginal Resource Center (ARC) and dedicated culturally relevant services to support our growing Aboriginal population.
2. Establishing an Aboriginal Education Council linking First Nations leaders and communities in our geographic region to Humber. In addition to our external First Nations representation, membership includes academic and administrative Deans (Paula Gouveia, Gina Antonacci and Jen McMillen), Directors and managers, members of Community Outreach and students. This Council engages in annual and ongoing visioning sessions to plan for future initiatives.
3. Establishing an "Aboriginal Camp Choice" program that has to date provided more than 500 Aboriginal youth with the opportunity to explore Aboriginal culture and tradition while gaining important first-hand exposure to higher education (and in particular college, which is the entry point for the majority of Aboriginal students).
4. Reviewing curriculum in order to determine Aboriginal content, and developing the innovative "Indigenous Knowledge" Certificate that provides both a credential and an opportunity for students in programs that will serve segments of the Aboriginal community to demonstrate cultural competency that will be essential to career success.
5. Committing funds beyond the MTCU funding envelope and adding positions that demonstrate both Humber's commitment to our Aboriginal students and related economic and social imperatives, and ensuring that ongoing initiatives are sustainable, internalized and reflective of institutional in addition to system values.
6. Developing and delivering training and cultural competency workshops, PowWows and other events to members from across the internal and external Humber community.
7. Developing relationships and engaging our community with many nationally recognized Aboriginal leaders, educators and role models, including Chief Justice Murray Sinclair, Wab Kinew, James Dumont, Banakonda Bell, Mary Spencer and Susan Aglukark.
8. Providing honorary degrees to internationally recognized artist Jane Ash-Poitras and author Joseph Boyden.
9. Creating dedicated Aboriginal student spaces on both the North and Lakeshore campuses and ensuring that art and other symbols of Aboriginal culture are embedded throughout the community.

The Indigenous Education Protocol is intended both to publicly demonstrate institutional commitment and to serve as an exemplar for the ongoing and future development of services and opportunities to support our community of learners and develop important relationships and partnerships with the external Aboriginal community.

Humber's Executive Team supports this commitment and it is recognized that ongoing dialogue will be required with the academic and college community in order to realize Humber's unique approach to supporting Aboriginal student access and success.

Jason Hunter
Vice President
Student and Community Engagement

Laurie Rancourt
Senior Vice President
Academic