Service
First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Educational Centre
The First Nations, Métis and Inuit Educational Centre is a welcoming, safe space for Indigenous students at Collège Boréal, including those from First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities. It’s also open to the entire Boréal community as a space for dialogue that highlights culture and success. The Centre provides support services tailored to Indigenous cultures, traditions and values, with a focus on the richness of Indigenous heritage.
Land Acknowledgement
Collège Boréal has many campuses and access centres located on several Indigenous territories across Ontario. It respects and wishes to acknowledge and honour the history and culture of the Indigenous peoples who share these territories across the province. We are grateful to these Indigenous communities for having us on their land and sharing their rich heritage and teachings with us.
We acknowledge the ancestral territories subject to treaties, alliances and agreements and the unceded ancestral territories of all the Inuit, Métis and First Nations people who call this land their home. We reaffirm our responsibility and commitment to fostering closer relationships between nations and our willingness to further our own understanding of Indigenous peoples and their culture. Collège Boréal acknowledges the harms and mistakes of the past and aims to contribute to decolonization and seek out ways we can, each in our own way, move forward in a spirit of reconciliation and collaboration.
The First Nations, Métis and Inuit Educational Centre provides an inclusive, welcoming space to Indigenous students with a full range of support services. The Centre is located in the heart of the Boréal community and plays a key role in promoting academic success and wellness. Through its holistic approach, it recognizes and values the importance of First Nations, Métis and Inuit cultures and traditions, and integrates these fundamentals into all its programs and services to fully support students and staff along their academic and personal journeys.
The First Nations, Métis and Inuit Educational Centre team is guided by the following principles:
- Access and Participation: Increase the number of Indigenous students in post‑secondary education and training
- Transition: Facilitate and improve Indigenous community members’ transitions between education levels and from education to the workforce
- Success: Increase the number of Indigenous students completing post‑secondary programs or training leading to a bachelor’s degree, diploma or certificate
- Partnerships: Facilitate Indigenous students’ access to post‑secondary education or training and support their success
- Teaching: Create a safe space for the entire Boréal community to cultivate an understanding of Indigenous cultures and traditions
By focusing on these action areas, the First Nations, Métis and Inuit Educational Centre and the Shkode (“Heart of Fire”) Pavillion are playing a key role in creating safe sharing and wellness spaces for our students and promoting an inclusive, respectful environment for everyone.
For more information about our services or to contact us, please email us at CEPNMI-SHKODE@collegeboreal.ca. Join us in our commitment to educational excellence and growth for all Indigenous students at Collège Boréal.
Services Provided
- Provides a personalized welcome and referral to necessary services
- Provides academic and career counselling
- Individually tracks academic progress and implements motivational strategies to ensure every person is successful
- Organizes and promotes cultural activities, celebrations, workshops and events, both in person and remotely
- Identifies and supports students facing cultural, social, financial or geographic challenges or barriers
- Promotes post‑secondary studies among future students and Indigenous communities
- Works with the College to survey and improve Indigenous students’ satisfaction with the services offered
- Continuously improves services by reporting on emerging trends in education and recommending relevant speakers
- Suggests cultural learning activities and provides information to improve the quality of Indigenous education
Our promise
At the First Nations, Métis and Inuit Educational Centre, we are committed to creating an environment that is conducive to the success of all Indigenous students.
We believe in the strength of the community and the value of First Nations, Métis and Inuit culture in the educational process. We take a holistic, intersectional approach and understand the importance of taking all facets of our students’ identities and experiences into account. We are also committed to applying a decolonization approach by incorporating traditional Indigenous knowledge and cultural practices into our programs and services. Partnering with Collège Boréal, as well as staying attuned to our community’s needs and challenges, is part of an ongoing process of evolving to provide ever more effective and relevant support.
Support and Resources
Self Service Portal
For specific questions about consultations, opinions, advice, workshop requests or anything else, please fill out a request on our new portal.
Intranet
The First Nations, Métis and Inuit Educational Centre* (FNMIEC) team is proud to offer resources, guides and tools to develop your knowledge on Indigenous relations: Équité, diversité, inclusion et Relations avec les Peuples Autochtones – Accueil (sharepoint.com) (French only).
Self identifying as Indigenous
Collège Boréal is joining forces with the First Nations, Métis and Inuit Educational Centre to promote the importance of valuing diversity and acknowledge the contributions of the Indigenous, Métis and Inuit communities. We strongly encourage members of our community to self‑identify as Indigenous for several important reasons, including:
- Pride and belonging: Strengthen your feelings of pride and of belonging to a community with rich cultures and traditions
- Information: Contribute to a better understanding of the Indigenous community at the College
- Financial aid: Access scholarships and other forms of financial aid specifically for Indigenous students
- Cultural events: Take part in cultural events celebrating and honouring Indigenous traditions
- Support services: Get support services tailored to your specific needs
- Cultural spaces: Take advantage of spaces that are dedicated to Indigenous culture and foster an inclusive, respectful environment
Self‑identifying as Indigenous is voluntary and requires no proof of your Indigenous identity. However, proof of status may be required for applications to scholarships intended for Indigenous students.
When you self‑identify, you’re contributing to the acknowledgement and recognition of cultural diversity in our community and reaping a wide range of benefits. Be proud of your heritage and play an active role in the cultural life of our Collège!
The Indigenous Education Council (IEC)
Vision
The Indigenous Education Council (IEC) supports and guides the First Nations, Métis and Inuit Educational Centre, the Shkode Pavillion and Collège Boréal in their work involving decolonialization and the holistic incorporation of Indigenous knowledge by fostering an inclusive, respectful learning environment.
Meeting Minutes
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