Photo of Medicine Hat College Sign / Photo by Keith Driver
Medicine Hat College is set to play a leading role in bringing educators and support professionals together from across Alberta after receiving a $60,000 grant to coordinate the province’s first Indigenous Learner Summit (ILS) next spring.
Planning for the event is already underway.
The funding, provided by Alberta Advanced Education, recognizes the college’s leadership and collaborative work in supporting Indigenous learners. The upcoming summit will focus on strengthening connections across the post-secondary system and improving support for Indigenous adult learners throughout Alberta.
College officials say the opportunity reflects ongoing efforts on campus to advance reconciliation and Indigenization. With support from the grant, Medicine Hat College has continued investing in initiatives designed to build community and help Indigenous students feel connected both culturally and academically.
Medicine Hat College intends to work closely with post-secondary institutions across southern Alberta, as well as the provincial government, to coordinate the summit. The goal is to bring together professionals from across the province to encourage dialogue, collaboration and knowledge sharing around how best to support Indigenous learners.
The summit will be led by the college’s Indigenous Engagement and Student Supports office, which has been prioritizing initiatives that promote reconciliation and cultural connection.
On campus, that includes events like craft circles, ceremonies with the Elder on Campus, and educational programming focused on Indigenous culture and learning.
Medicine Hat College hosts several annual events that bring the community together, including the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, Round Dance celebrations, and the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirit People.
Organizers hope the summit will include institutions with similar Indigenous engagement and student support offices from across Alberta.
There are also early discussions about potentially expanding the event in the future to include participants from across Western Canada.
The summit is looking to give the college and other institutions a chance to learn from one another, share ideas and strengthen relationships that ultimately benefit students.
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