Working Respectfully and in Collaboration

The Strategic Plan includes a commitment to work respectfully in collaboration with Indigenous peoples and communities. Care was taken to ask for feedback on this commitment from Indigenous leaders only. Participants were either leaders of an Indigenous community or were Indigenous people in one of the other respondent categories. Of the 14 participants who gave an answer, 93% (12) said ‘Definitely Yes’ (Figure 18). Two participants were not able to answer (‘Not Sure/ Don’t Know’).

“Broad question however, the <Keepers of the Circle> project with the College (NTD) was very respectful, with the College team endeavoring to adapt ways of doing things to reflect our needs and the unique needs of communities. A great example of how the college pivoted with the KOTC to meet the needs and exceed targets.” -Indigenous Leader and Partner

“Work and approach the communities, through meetings determine community needs. You include who needs to be involved and create partnerships.” -Indigenous and Economic and Community Leader

“Always. As a partner who sponsors many students at Northern College, we’ve always had positive experiences and we work very well with all of our partnered initiatives and events.” -Indigenous Community Leader

“Yes, we see Northern College present in our community and working with students and partners”. -Indigenous and Education, Employment, Community Services Leader

“The Education Dept. will not go to Northern College, it’s about truth and reconciliation. I would assume the Indigenous Dept., knows how we engage. How do we work together? A lot of students go to Canadore College.” -Indigenous Community Leader

FIGURE 16. DOES NORTHERN COLLEGE WORK RESPECTFULLY AND IN COLLABORATION WITH INDIGENOUS PEOPLE AND COMMUNITIES?