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BELONGINGNESS COMPASS Strategic Direction for Navigating Lakeland College’s Belongingness Ecosystem

BELONGINGNESS COMPASS

Important Terms VALUES: Align our strategic direction with our core values, ensuring that each action reflects our commitment to learner success, integrity, respect, community, excellence, and innovation.

Table of Contents

DEFINITION OF BELONGINGNESS:

Statement of Intent......................................................... 2

Belongingness, within the context of Lakeland’s values and guiding behaviours, refers to the creation of an inclusive and caring environment where individuals feel accepted and valued. It involves fostering connections to our larger community and supporting the well-being of all members through various actions and attitudes.

Land Acknowledgment.................................................. 2 Important Terms.............................................................. 3 Objective......................................................................... 3 Alignment with Lakeland’s Values................................ 4 Belongingness................................................................ 5 Align Systems.................................................................. 6 Actions and Attitudes..................................................... 8 Aspirations..................................................................... 10 Communication............................................................ 12 The Lakeland Way......................................................... 14

Statement of Intent

HEALTHY CAMPUS: Stewarding healthy settings and activities that support holistic wellbeing and allow individuals to develop and thrive. LEARNING SYSTEM:

At Lakeland College, our commitment to fostering a sense of Belongingness stems from our core values of learner success, integrity, respect, community, excellence, and innovation.

Integrate Belongingness into our educational framework, ensuring that it is a central aspect of the learning experience. LEGISLATIVE DUTY TO INCLUSION, DIVERSITY, EQUALITY, AND ADVOCACY:

Belongingness is not just a concept; it is the heart of our college, ensuring that every individual feels valued, included, and respected.

Askīyiwimamīhcītotamowin Here at Lakeland College, we acknowledge that the land we gather on is the traditional homeland, hunting, and ceremonial gathering places of the First Nations, Métis and Inuit. The Plains Cree, Woodland Cree, Saulteaux, Blackfoot, Métis, Dene, and Nakota Sioux people have practiced their culture and languages on Treaty 6 and Métis Region 2 territories for generations and were the original caretakers of this land. Many First Nation, Métis and Inuit peoples call this land home today and have done so for millennia. We would like to acknowledge the history we have created together on this land, and to be 2

thankful for the opportunity to walk together side-byside in friendship, learning from our past, and promoting positive relationships for the past, present and future. Three members of our Indigenous Student Committee created this land acknowledgment for Lakeland College. Kiera Comeau, Samantha O’Reilly and Ryan Powder wrote the askīyiwimamīhcītotamowin. The English translation of this Cree concept is the act of acknowledging the earth (land).

LAKELAND COLLEGE

Go beyond compliance and proactively champion diversity, equality, and inclusion at every level.

Objective This document will foster a sense of belonging through these five areas of focus: align systems, actions and attitudes, aspirations, communication, and the Lakeland Way.

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Strengthen the sense of community within Lakeland, providing an inclusive and supportive learning environment;

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Ensure that Belongingness is not just an aspirational goal but a tangible reality by aligning systems and taking proactive actions;

•

Enhance the student and employee experience by creating an environment where diverse perspectives are celebrated, and individuals thrive personally and academically.

OUR AIMS ARE TO: •

Embed Belongingness in our daily practices, addressing it holistically and reinforcing our commitment of taking care of people;

BELONGINGNESS COMPASS

Actions and Attitudes

Align Systems

Alignment with Lakeland’s Values LEARNER SUCCESS:

Belongingness The Lakeland Way

Aspirations

Learner success means empowering individuals to pursue their passions and reach their full potential. We encourage and support learners in their endeavours, providing them with the necessary tools and resources to achieve their goals. INTEGRITY:

Communication

Integrity plays a crucial role in fostering Belongingness by upholding high moral and ethical standards. We strive to understand and honour the differences of others, recognizing the unique perspectives and ideas they bring to the community. RESPECT: Respect is an essential element of Belongingness, as it involves demonstrating care and concern for the viewpoints and ideas of others. We create an environment where individuals feel valued, heard, and understood. COMMUNITY: Community is a cornerstone of Belongingness, as we actively participate in our communities and foster mutually respectful relationships for the common good. We celebrate and embrace diversity, recognizing the richness and strength it brings. Additionally, we prioritize taking care of one another, ensuring that everyone feels supported and included. EXCELLENCE: Excellence is intertwined with Belongingness as we aim for greatness in all that we do. We foster a positive attitude, promoting a culture of inclusivity and encouragement. INNOVATION: Innovation is a key component of Belongingness, as we encourage novel ideas, processes, and theories that contribute to sustainable outcomes. We actively foster and promote creativity and future thinking, while also seeking and supporting solutions to challenges that may arise. 4

LAKELAND COLLEGE

Align Systems

Actions and Attitudes

Aspirations

Lakeland is on a continuous journey to reinforce and embed Belongingness in our daily practices.

To overcome complacency, we will take proactive steps.

The primary challenge we face is complacency, the risk of assuming that our current efforts are sufficient.

Communication We use transparent and open communication channels to build trust among our stakeholders.

The Lakeland Way The Lakeland Way is all about coming together with heart, dedication and a helping hand.

BELONGINGNESS COMPASS

COMMITTEES:

APPLY FOR GRANTS:

Provide equitable opportunities for Belongingness in both online and in-person learning environments.

Seek and secure funding to implement innovative programs and initiatives that promote Belongingness.

EXISTING STUDENT SUPPORTS:

COMMUNITY SUPPORTS:

TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION:

Evaluate and enhance existing support systems to cater to the diverse needs of our student body.

Strengthen partnerships with external organizations to expand the network of support for our community members.

Go beyond truth and reconciliation, to advocate and make connections with our Indigenous students and employees. Adapt current support systems to include cultural and traditional ways of knowing.

Ensure that committees are diverse and inclusive, representing the broad spectrum of our community.

Otôtemiwewin

Align Systems

Lakeland is on a continuous journey to reinforce and embed Belongingness in our daily practices. We will do this by aligning various systems:

ONLINE LEARNING AND IN-PERSON LEARNING:

LAKELAND COLLEGE

DEPARTMENTS WITHIN LAKELAND:

SURVEYS AND STUDENT FEEDBACK:

Collaborate across departments to create a seamless and consistent experience for everyone.

Act on feedback to continuously improve and tailor our strategies for enhancing Belongingness.

ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE:

STUDENT CLUBS:

Review and adapt the organizational structure to promote inclusivity and accessibility.

Encourage and support the establishment of student clubs that celebrate diversity and inclusion.

BELONGINGNESS COMPASS

This word means friendship, standing hand-in-hand, being a member of a community. This is also the new name of the Lloydminster Indigenous Student Lounge.

To overcome complacency, we will take these proactive steps: EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES: Organize events and activities that bring the Lakeland community together, fostering a sense of unity and shared purpose. INSTITUTIONAL GOALS AND STRATEGIC PLAN: Ensure goals and plans developed by Lakeland always include a Belongingness and values focus. RELATIONSHIPS: Encourage meaningful relationships and connections among community members, promoting a supportive network. TRAINING: Provide ongoing training for faculty, staff, and students on cultural competence, diversity, and inclusion to cultivate a more compassionate and empathetic community. Refer to the website for more information: lakelandcollege.ca/belongingness

Actions and Attitudes

LAKELAND COLLEGE

BELONGINGNESS COMPASS

The primary challenge we face is complacency, the risk of assuming that our current efforts are sufficient. To address this, we will aim for: REGULAR ASSESSMENT: Continuously assess and evaluate the effectiveness of our initiatives through regular feedback and data analysis. BENCHMARKING:

Aspirations

Compare our progress with industry benchmarks and best practices to identify areas for improvement. RECOGNITION: Acknowledge and celebrate successes, but also recognize where further efforts are required. CULTIVATE A CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT CULTURE: Instill a culture of continuous improvement, where everyone is empowered to contribute to the enhancement of Belongingness at Lakeland. INSPIRE TRUST AT AN INDIVIDUAL, GROUP AND INSTITUTIONAL LEVEL: Foster a culture of trust, where individuals feel secure and supported in their academic and personal journeys.

LAKELAND COLLEGE

BELONGINGNESS COMPASS

We use transparent and open communication channels to build trust among our stakeholders, ensuring individuals are engaged, informed, and encouraged to actively participate in fostering a sense of connection, inclusion, and community. POLICY AND RISK:

Communication

Review and update policies to reflect our commitment to fostering a sense of Belongingness and mitigate any risks associated with non-compliance. MESSAGES/TRANSPARENCY: Communicate transparently about our progress, challenges, and successes in promoting Belongingness. FRAMEWORKS AND GROUP DECISION-MAKING: Strengthen collaboration and coordination among teams and groups to streamline efforts and achieve a unified approach. INCREASE PROFILE: Share internally and externally the great things that our Lakeland community is doing. PROMOTE TWO-WAY COMMUNICATION: Anyone can speak and share their experience with the expectation of psychological safety.

LAKELAND COLLEGE

BELONGINGNESS COMPASS

THE LAKELAND WAY The Lakeland Way is about coming together with heart, dedication and a helping hand. It’s where students, staff, and faculty work together to create an atmosphere where everyone feels a sense of belonging, safety and pride. The Lakeland Way isn’t just about achievements; it’s about celebrating our community’s unique blend of experience and diversity, teamwork, and building real connections. We’re all about doing a little bit more by participating in college activities, volunteering for student events, or just being there for each other.

The Lakeland Way

It’s our people who make Lakeland special. We go beyond together and build a Lakeland community where every person is given the opportunity to discover and reach their full potential. This is the Lakeland Way.

LAKELAND COLLEGE

BELONGINGNESS COMPASS

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