Engagement with Indigenous Knowledge and Content Policy

Policy number: SS-3401-2024
Policy title: Engagement with Indigenous Knowledge and Content
Policy owner: Director, Centre for Indigenous Relations, Knowledge, and Learning
Effective date: September 25, 2024
Last revised: (intentionally left blank)

1. Purpose

This policy is intended to ensure that all departments and employees at Mohawk College who are engaging Indigenous knowledge and content within their activities and partnerships are doing so in a way which is appropriate, safe, informed, and respectful. This framework will support employees and departments to connect and collaborate, build meaningful relations, observe wise practices, and create an environment of collaboration, communication, and Indigenous-led approaches to decolonization. Indigenous-led Truth and Reconciliation efforts are everyone’s responsibility to operationalize; Indigenous departments at the college are building relationships and how to steward relationships with Indigenous communities while empowering the college community to engage with Indigenous knowledges, content, and communities where possible.

2. Application and Scope

This policy applies to all college departments and employees at all Mohawk College campuses, as well as partnerships between Mohawk College and outside organizations, institutions, or individuals. The policy will be consistent whether the relevant content is a program, course, class, certification, pathway, project, or partnership (hereinafter referred to as “Initiative”). This policy and the Appendix A Tetewatatyenawa:se document will act as a framework for engagement with Indigenous departments, knowledge, communities, partnerships, and programs, both new and ongoing. Any college initiative that incorporates or impacts Indigenous Communities, Indigenous Content, or Indigenous Knowledge will involve this process. The Indigenous Content in College Events Policy will govern aspects of College events which incorporate Indigenous content and knowledge.

3. Definitions

“Indigenous” in the context of this document refers to the groups who are Indigenous to Turtle Island (North America), also called the First Nations, Métis, and Inuit.

“Indigenous Community” refers to any First Nations, Métis, or Inuit community, reserve or territory, urban community, or population.

“Indigenous Content” refers to any presentation, article, or object pertaining to subjects relevant to Indigenous peoples, communities, or histories; presentations by Indigenous presenters, facilitators, or speakers; Indigenous courses and programs; history, and/or contemporary culture.

“Indigenous Knowledge” refers to ways of knowing, being, and doing that are grounded in Indigenous cultural teachings. This includes Indigenous ceremony; Indigenous languages; Indigenous practices and processes; presentations by Elders, Chiefs, Clan Mothers, and Knowledge-Keepers; cultural objects and artifacts.

“Indigenous-led” means an initiative that is led by Indigenous Student Services (ISS), the Centre for Indigenous Relations, Knowledge, and Learning (CIRKL), the Indigenous HR Specialist, or by Indigenous communities and community members in concert with ISS and/or CIRKL.

“Initiative” refers to any project, program, course, class, partnership, proposal, agreement, research, publication, or any component thereof.

4. Principles

Mohawk College is committed to creating an environment which advances reconciliation in a meaningful way; approaching Indigenous ways of knowledge and practice in a way that is respectful; and to creating space for leadership from CIRKL and ISS in the development and fostering of Indigenous initiatives.

The importance of Indigenous peoples’ access to dispute resolution and culturally appropriate conflict resolution and legal customs is asserted in the United Nations Declaration of Rights for Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Calls to Action 24, 27, 28, 57, and 92 call for cultural competency and conflict resolution skills-based training.

The CIRKL and ISS teams have an acknowledged responsibility to Indigenous communities and to their teachings. Indigenous Knowledge and Indigenous Content at Mohawk College are reflective of the work of CIRKL and ISS.

5. Accountability and Compliance

5.1 Accountability Framework

This policy has been approved by the Senior Leadership Team.

5.2 Compliance

All employees at Mohawk College are responsible for ensuring that their initiatives are compliant with this policy. Department leadership is responsible for ensuring that any Indigenous knowledge, content, or initiative incorporated into the work of their department is done in compliance with this policy and process. Indigenous leadership within CIRKL and ISS and the Indigenous Human Resources (HR) Specialist are authorized to ensure that information within this policy is applied.

6. Rules

6.1 Indigenous Knowledge and Content in College Initiatives

CIRKL, ISS, and/or the Indigenous HR Specialist will be approached through the email addresses below at the inception of any initiative that involves Indigenous Content, Indigenous Knowledge, the creation of any role that is focused on Indigenous Knowledge or Indigenous Content, or any initiative which partners with or is focused on connection to Indigenous communities or community institutions or organizations prior to any planning or work being completed.

CIRKL and/or ISS will have final decision-making authority on whether a project or initiative is appropriate.

During the initial concept and planning stages of an initiative which includes Indigenous Content, employees will refer to and follow the processes outlined in the Approach to Indigenous Engagement Document (refer to Appendix A).

If an employee is unsure whether an initiative should be Indigenous-led; or should involve guidance from CIRKL, ISS, and/or the Indigenous HR Specialist; they have the responsibility to reach out to CIRKL or ISS for consultation. For inquiries about academic programs, partnerships, professional development, and research, CIRKL may be reached (cirkl [at] mohawkcollege.ca (cirkl[at]mohawkcollege[dot]ca)) for consultation. For inquiries around student services, access, student success, student finances and awards, and student data, ISS may be reached (iess [at] mohawkcollege.ca (iess[at]mohawkcollege[dot]ca)) for consultation. If you are unsure who to contact, please reach out to both departments with your inquiry.

6.2 Policy Breaches

All breaches of the Engagement with Indigenous Knowledge and Content Policy will be addressed on a case-by-case basis by leadership within CIRKL, ISS, and/or the Indigenous HR Specialist and will consider the circumstances of the breach, the impact to Indigenous communities, departments, and learners, and opportunities to learn and re-engage. To remedy such breaches, employees will be expected to engage in reconciliatory programs as a sincere gesture of meaningfully advancing reconciliation and relationship restoration. Reconciliatory programs will be funded by the department in breach of the Policy. Reconciliatory programs will not form part of an employee’s personnel record.

Where matters under this policy cannot be resolved using Reconciliatory Programs resolution processes outlined in other College policies, or otherwise, may be applied. CIRKL, ISS, and/or the Indigenous HR Specialist shall be consulted to support the process.

6.3 Reconciliatory Programs

CIRKL, ISS, or the Indigenous HR Specialist may call a meeting with an employee and their Manager; or with a department that is in breach of policy to discuss the nature of the concern, and to propose ways the resulting issues may be resolved. These conversations may be supported by Managers, union representatives, or other relevant college areas.

6.3.1 Mediation

Where a breach cannot be resolved through initial discussion, CIRKL, ISS, or the Indigenous HR Specialist may request that a mediator be engaged to assist in the resolution of the complaint. The mediator will be selected by CIRKL, ISS, and the Indigenous HR specialist in collaboration with the relevant department and will be chosen based on relevant expertise and experience. Mediation will only proceed if all parties involved agree to participate in the process. Mediation by both parties is expected as a sincere gesture of meaningfully advancing reconciliation and relationship restoration.

6.3.2 Restorative Relationship Approach

In instances that are more complicated or where serious harm has taken place, CIRKL, ISS, and/or the Indigenous HR specialist may make a request to utilize an Indigenous-led restorative relationship approach.