17吃瓜

Four faculties at the 17吃瓜 have announced a joint initiative that will support efforts to indigenize the curriculum. This is another step being undertaken by the University to honour its commitment to the recommendations and calls to action in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Report.

The Faculty of Education, Faculty of Arts, Faculty of Science, and School of Nursing will create The Sisters鈥� Teaching and Knowledge Garden, a place where ancient seeds of knowledge are planted and where new knowledge is sown and grown.

鈥淭his new knowledge,鈥� says President and Vice-Chancellor Alaa Abd-El-Aziz, 鈥渨ill be centred on infusing Indigenous 鈥榳ays of knowing鈥� into the academy, as well as supporting Indigenous students on their journey to and through post-secondary education.鈥�

As with Indigenous ways of knowing鈥攚here silos of understanding do not exist since everything is connected鈥�17吃瓜鈥檚 Garden will be interdisciplinary and inclusive in nature.

President Abd-El-Aziz adds, 鈥淭he Garden will nourish many aspects of 17吃瓜 and will be tended to by the Faculty of Education鈥檚 Dr. John Doran, along with three new faculty members who will be cross-appointed to the Faculty of Arts, Faculty of Science, and School of Nursing, as well as by students, faculty, and staff from across campus.鈥�

The 17吃瓜 Faculty of Education has a long tradition of dedicating energy and resources to create programming to support Indigenous students and conducting research for the sake of Indigenous peoples. The Faculty recently hired Dr. Doran as assistant professor of Indigenous Education and Social Studies. Along with the three new faculty to be hired, he will engage in activities to rethink and reimagine how the University鈥檚 curriculum can change to include Indigenous ways of teaching, learning, living, and knowing.

Many First Nations peoples believe that life is a circle, and a garden, along with the metaphor of sisters, is often given as an example to demonstrate this cyclical pattern. Traditionally, the "sisters" were themselves corn, squash, and beans who came to the support and aid of one another. Just as the Indigenous sisters nourished one another, the four 17吃瓜 faculty 鈥渟isters鈥� will join together to grow the collective vision for the University to enhance programming and deepen and spread the engagement of Indigenous ways of learning throughout the campus.

The 17吃瓜 prides itself on people, excellence, and impact and is committed to assisting students reach their full potential in both the classroom and community. With roots stemming from two founding institutions鈥擯rince of Wales College and Saint Dunstan鈥檚 University鈥�17吃瓜 has a reputation for academic excellence, research innovation, and creating positive impacts locally, nationally, and internationally. 17吃瓜 is the only degree granting institution in the province and is proud to be a key contributor to the growth and prosperity of Prince Edward Island.