BRIGHT Start
A project funded by the Indigenous Targeted Initiatives Fund (ITIF)
Prepared by: Lisa Dietrich, Project Lead Centre for Teaching & Learning, Six Nations Polytechnic
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Table of Contents
Page 2 - Purpose of Project
Page 2 - Participating Institutes and Training Centres
Page 3 - Project Objectives
Page 4 - Acronym
Page 5 - Project Details
Page 6 - Initial Timelines
Page 6 - Module Categories
Page 7- Module Topics
Page 7 - Module Format
Page 8 - Module Completion
Page 9 - Module Excerpts
Page 12 - Quality Assurance
Page 13 - Sample Schedules
Page 14 - National Indigenous Education Symposium 2023
Page 15 - Student Feedback
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Purpose of Project
To leverage the expertise of seven Indigenous Institutes and Training Centers to grow a series of in-person and online modules for use during orientation week and throughout the student lifecycle.
To create a retention strategy in the form of a centralized repository of support resources available both online and in a format for in-person delivery, to ease the transition for Indigenous students embarking on their Postsecondary Education (PSE) learning journey.
Participating Institutes and Training Centers
Anishinabek Educational Institute (AEI) Kenjgewin Teg Oshki-PimacheO-Win: The Wenjack Education Institute Six Nations Polytechnic (SNP) Iohahi:io Akwesasne Education & Training Institute2
Ogwehoweh Skills And Trades Training Centre (OSTTC) Shingwauk Kinoomaage Gamig (SKG)
Project Objectives
To encourage communication and collaboration between academic and student support staff to increase confidence.
To provide information about oncampus wellness and academic resources alongside culturally rooted events and activities.
To equip students with the nformation and tools they need to uccessfully transition into postecondary studies.
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Acronym
Building Cultural Connection: Fostering a sense of identity, pride, and connection to Indigenous culture and heritage.
Resilience and Empowerment: Developing resilience, selfconfidence, and empowering students to overcome challenges.
Indigenous Knowledge and Perspectives: Incorporating Indigenous knowledge, history, and perspectives into the curriculum and learning experiences.
Goal Setting and Growth Mindset: Encouraging students to set academic and personal goals, and promoting a growth mindset that embraces continuous learning and improvement.
Holistic Well-being: Nurturing the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being of students, integrating holistic practices rooted in Indigenous traditions.
Transition Support: Providing support and resources to help students successfully transition into the school year, ensuring a smooth adjustment and positive academic experience. B R I G H T
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Project Details
Modules are designed to take students approximately one hour to move through online or through in-class delivery
Each Indigenous Institute/Training Centre creates one module
The project represents a focused retention strategy in the form of links to various resources, activities, and workshops (in-person and online) to support students' transition to PSE
The development of all project elements is guided by the engagement of student service providers, community Elders, and Indigenous educators connected to the Indigenous Institutes and through Program Advisory Committees
Contact information for key support staff including Accessibility Navigator, Student Success Officers, Peer Tutors/Mentors, and Cultural Advisors to be included in one centralized location
Six Nations Polytechnic is responsible for Project Management
Teaching resources/activities for in-class delivery are included in a hidden file folder within the module in the Learning Management System
Indigenous learners benefit from the implementation of supports that build upon existing student orientation practices and follow the principles of Universal Design for Learning
Modules are made available for students the week before classes commence and throughout the academic year with schedules advertised on social media
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Initial Timelines
May 2023
Project overview meeting
Module topic allocation
SNP Template access granted
Module development begins
June 2023
Weekly meetings
Module Development
July 2023
Bi-weekly meetings
Module Development
August 2023
Develop Marketing Materials/ Social Media Promotion
Welcome Letter/Create Schedule
Deliver BRIGHT Start Training
September 2023
Deliver BRIGHT Start Training
Collect feedback
Project team meeting to discuss modifications as per feedback
October2023–April 2024
Continue Ongoing Delivery
Collect Feedback
Improve Curriculum Resources
Assess Successes
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Module Categories Academic Wellness Career Preparation
Module Topics
Goal Setting for Post-Secondary Success
Identity and Connection to Community
Digital Fluency: An Introduction to College/University Technology
Wellness Toolkit
Being Safe Online
Importance of Self-Care
Resume Building and Career Preparedness
Academic Toolkit: Effective Note-taking, Study Strategies, & Exam Preparation
Coping with Stress
These are the initial core modules. Each Indigenous Institute continues to build out its repository of modules.
Module Format
Modules contain an online version and offer a fully formed delivery model for in-class facilitation complete with a Lesson Plan, PowerPoint, and suggested activities
Facilitators are welcome to utilize previously created materials or modify those provided
Export can accommodate multiple LMS formats
Educational programming is created collaboratively, to deliver content grounded in Indigenous communities and cultures
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Module Format
Module Completion
Students will self-select the modules they are most interested in learning, and they will have the option to complete each module online or in person Institutional incentives can include badge allocation to promote engagement as well as contests and giveaways for session attendance
Modules are not mandatory however students are strongly encouraged to complete online and/or attend sessions to improve academic outcomes as well as to meet and engage with campus staff/peers
Delivery of modules continues at specific times throughout the year (e g : lunch and learns) and can be delivered to specific classes as required
1 Learning Outcomes 2.Read 3.Watch 4.Resources 7 Module Survey 8 In-class Resourcesfor Facilitators 6.Checklist 5.Activity
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Quality Assurance
END OF MODULE SURVEYS
To be completed by students immediately following module delivery (in-class)
DATA ANALYTICS
Captured via the LMS for Online version
GRADUATE SURVEYS
Reflective feedback from graduates as to how modules prepared them for PSE
STUDENT SUCCESS SURVEYS
Targeted questions will capture students’ reception of modules
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Sample Schedule: Pre-Start-Up
Sample Schedule: Ongoing Targeted Sessions
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National Indigenous Education Symposium
2023 Presenters
KellyDejong Academic Manager Iohahi:io
KellyFossum Program Coordinator, OshkiPimache-O-Win: The Wenjack Education Institute
LisaDietrich
Unit Manager – Centre for Teaching & Learning, Six Nations Polytechnic
MeganStevens Student Wellness Coordinator, Anishinabek Educational Institute
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Student Feedback
https://youtu.be/HwUPnp3e36U
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