Douglas College leads tri-institute Indigenous study abroad collaboration after receiving $700,000 grant from CICan

Indigenous students at three local colleges and universities are getting more opportunities to study abroad through a new initiative led by Douglas College.

The Indigenous Global Learning Collective (IGLC), a collaboration between Douglas, snəw̓eyəɬ leləm Langara College and the University of the Fraser Valley (UFV), has received $698,550 in funding from Economic and Social Development Canada’s Global Skills Opportunity program, jointly administered by Colleges and Institutes Canada and Universities Canada. 

This grant provides the opportunity for Indigenous students to study abroad more affordably as part of the Indigenous Global Learning Program (IGLP). The program supports Indigenous students to attend classes with peers from various First Nations and learn from Indigenous Elders and knowledge keepers.

The IGLP has two stages: a four-month online course and a two-week field school abroad, each centring Indigenous cultural and historical knowledge. The program is supported by Indigenous student service leaders, Elders and knowledge keepers, together with each school’s faculty and international offices. 

Douglas, Langara and UFV have committed to organizing five virtual courses and five field schools over the next three years. The first IGLP virtual course launches in January, while the first study-abroad trip is scheduled for the end of May, heading to Northern Arizona University (NAU). 

Aly Hillaby, a Bachelor of Social Work student at Douglas, said that by helping students share experiences with fellow Indigenous Peoples in other countries, the IGLP could provide insights that challenge colonial ways of thinking in Canadian life. Hillaby is also the Douglas Students’ Representative at the Douglas Students’ Union. 

“Travelling abroad means having the chance to learn about other Indigenous peoples’ experiences and culture, make connections with them and observe their traditions and ways of knowing,” says Hillaby. “That’s something you can carry with you for life, and a valuable learning opportunity that you can share with others afterwards.”

NAU and their Native American Cultural Center are the founding International IGLC partner. International partners are selected for their demonstrated commitment to local Indigenous communities, cultural and experiential learning opportunities, and available supports for visiting students. 

Preceding the IGLC was a three-month research and consultation process on how to create successful, inclusive international experiences for Indigenous students. The resulting Indigenous Study Abroad Collaborative Framework report served as the IGLC’s foundation.

Quotes:

“The Indigenous Global Learning Collective has great potential to connect Indigenous students from across B.C. with one another and other Indigenous communities abroad. Douglas, along with our partners at UFV and Langara, have made a clear commitment to increasing Indigenous representation and partnerships in study abroad.” 

— Leonel Roldan-Flores, Associate Vice-President, International Education, Douglas College

“As global learners, when we encounter others, we learn more about ourselves. This serves to strengthen our identities.”

— Mary Jane Joe, Elder-in-Residence, Indigenous Education and Services, snəw̓eyəɬ leləm̓ Langara College

“Acts of resurgence take many forms – reclaiming and living Indigenous knowledge in study abroad opportunities are an important aspect of this. Connecting and sharing with other Indigenous cultures deepens a student’s Indigenous worldview and strengthens their culture. CICan’s funding of these learning opportunities is an act of Reconciliation.”

 — Betty Peters, Indigenous Student Centre Director, University of the Fraser Valley

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Douglas College is the largest degree-granting college in B.C., combining the academic foundations of a university and the employer-ready skills of a college to graduate resilient global citizens who adapt, innovate and lead in a changing world. 

For more information, visit douglascollege.ca 

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Contact 

Zach Siddiqui 
Communications Coordinator 
siddiquiz1@douglascollege.ca

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