NLC Provides Employee Development in Engaging Indigenous Learners

Slave Lake, Alberta (July 29, 2021): With a service region that includes 15 First Nations and four Métis Settlements, and more than half of the student body identifying as Indigenous, Northern Lakes College is committed to programming and operations which are grounded in profound respect for Indigenous cultures.

One particular NLC initiative is the creation of Engaging Indigenous Learners, an in-house, custom course designed to help those in the educational field to work effectively with Indigenous learners. Northern Lakes College created the course in response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action for post-secondary institutions.

All Northern Lakes College faculty and staff are required to complete this course, which includes five learning modules and four case studies. All new hires also complete the course as part of their orientation and onboarding.

Course modules include the NLC Context, Becoming Aware, Building Trust, Embracing Diversity, and Indigenous Arts & Design. The case studies include topics such as unconscious bias, learner preconceptions, community involvement, culturally-inclusive learning environments, assessing barriers, cultural relatability, and inclusiveness.

“In order to build an inclusive learning environment, it is important to understand the history, experiences, and traditional ways of knowing of Indigenous learners. Northern Lakes College is committed to creating a learning environment that respects and engages Indigenous learners,” comments President & CEO, Dr. Glenn Mitchell.

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A distance learning college, Northern Lakes College provides the most accessible and flexible educational opportunities through innovative delivery. Utilizing its unique Supported Distance Learning (SDL) model, NLC assists 5,000 students annually to continue their education, improve their employment opportunities, and enhance their quality of life. Committed to its communities in northern Alberta and to its students, wherever they may be, NLC collaborates with business, industry, and other post-secondary institutions to benefit students and communities. Explore at www.northernlakescollege.ca.

For additional information contact:
Rachel Ouellette
Director, External Relations, Marketing & Communication
Office of the President
Northern Lakes College
news@northernlakescollege.ca