Blueprint Partners
The Blueprint Partners page offers a comprehensive overview of the collaborative efforts and initiatives undertaken by our partners to prioritize excellence in Indigenous education and foster reconciliation across Manitoba.
We are currently updating our Signatory Partner information.
Please check back soon for new updates!
Advanced Education and Training
Information to come.
Assiniboine Community College
Assiniboine has been providing exceptional learning experiences for more than 60 years, now offering more than 60 certificate, diploma and post-graduate programs along with apprenticeship programming in a range of skilled trades. The college has campuses in Brandon, Dauphin, Winnipeg and Portage la Prairie, and partners with many other communities, Nations and organizations to deliver customized education and training across Manitoba.
Assiniboine recognizes the unique history of Indigenous peoples and is committed to playing an active role in reconciliation. We are honoured to welcome students from many nations, strengthening the wealth of First Nations, Métis and Inuit knowledge at Assiniboine. We aim to infuse cultural teachings into curriculum to ensure that Indigenous students see themselves and their realities reflected in the learning process.
We believe strongly in strengthening our partnerships with First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples through continued collaboration. By making positive changes to reduce barriers to education and educational supports, we can empower Indigenous students to succeed.
Assiniboine Community College campuses are located on the traditional territories of Treaty No. 1 and Treaty No. 2, the shared traditional lands of Cree, Oji-Cree, Dakota, Dene and Anishinabek/Ojibwe peoples, and the homeland of the Red River Métis. We acknowledge their welcome to the students who seek knowledge here.
Highlights
Celebrating Indigenous student success: Our Journey- a community-wide celebration of Indigenous student success held annually.
Collaboration/building cultural competency:
- Collaborated with B.U. and campus Manitoba to adapt the Pulling Together foundation guide as a learning tool and resource for the region.
- Community/Nation partnerships- dramatic increase in the number and types of programs offered in First Nations, averaging 400 Indigenous graduates annually
Brandon University
Brandon University has campuses on both Treaty 1 and Treaty 2 territories. Our main campus is located in Brandon, MB. This is traditional shared land between the Dakota and Anishinaabe. With the cozy feel of a small town, Brandon is actually the second largest city in Manitoba with 58,000 residing in the metro area. BU is considered a small-sized university with just over 3,200 students attending each year. 70% of our classes have 20 students or fewer. we offer 19 undergraduate degree programs, 6 graduates and 4 certificates.
Highlights
BU established a committee in 2016 that was responsible to action the 10 objectives of the blueprint in our institution. We created a list of recommendations for the institution, followed by resources to support that work. This led to working groups being established in all academic faculties, Student Services and libraries to action the recommendations.
We created and open education resource known as Pulling Together- Manitoba Foundations Guide to train members of our campus. Pulling Together: Manitoba Foundations Guide
We collaborated with ACC, Brandon School Division, and Sioux Valley High School to celebrate Indigenous Student Success every year. It celebrates preschool going into kindergarten, grade 8’s going into grade 9, grade 12 graduates and the post-secondary graduates.
Canadian Mennonite University
Canadian Mennonite University offers comprehensive university education within a dynamic and diverse Christian community. Exemplary academic studies across the arts and sciences are distinguished by interdisciplinary interaction, experiential learning, and mentoring relationships between students and faculty. Education at CMU is characterized by:
- Excellence in teaching and learning offered uniquely in a small, nationally recognized university
- Intentional inter-disciplinary connections
- Academic study within a vibrant community life
- Personal relationships with professors who are teachers and mentors as well as active in research and creative work
- Encouragement to be nourished and challenged by the life and teachings of Jesus Christ
- Preparation for diverse vocations and careers
CMU is committed to Indigenous students, developing and providing culturally informed programs, services, and events to meet the unique needs and interests of the Indigenous community.
Highlights
CMU’s Indigenous course requirements for all students–new courses across disciplines created every year, by CMU faculty, in conversation with CMU’s Indigenous Council (launched 2023-24).
CMU’s Indigenous spaces and places–Indigenous lounge with traditional colours and space to smudge, beautiful mural on the quad, tipi raised with ceremony, and Treaty 1 sports jersies (launched 2022-23).
CMU’s partnership with Sandy-Saulteaux Spiritual Centre, an Indigenous-led, Indigenous-centred theological training centre, with opportunities for land-based learning through this partnership (launched 2021-22).
Indigenous Inclusion Directorate
The Indigenous Inclusion Directorate provides leadership and co-ordination for departmental initiatives in Indigenous education and training. The primary role of the Indigenous Inclusion Directorate is in research, policy development and strategic initiatives. This is accomplished in the spirit of cooperation and consultation with many groups and individuals, such as school administrators, educators, students, parents, Indigenous and community organizations and other government departments. The Indigenous Inclusion Directorate works in partnership with First Nations communities and organization in Manitoba. The Directorate’s work is supported by the guidance of two advisory councils from the Indigenous community.
Helen oversaw the development of Mamàhtawisiwin – The Wonder We Are Born With – An Indigenous Education Policy Framework, the creation of the Elders and Knowledge Keepers in Schools Initiative, and the implementation of Treaty education training in partnership with the Treaty Relations Commission of Manitoba.
Highlights
Manitoba Education and Early Childhood Learning provides in-kind support for the Manitoba Collaborative Indigenous Education Blueprint website
MCIEB partners have had an opportunity to partner with the Shawane Dagosiwin-Aboriginal Education Research Forum through presenting on post-secondary initiatives related to Indigenous education research.
Through Manitoba Aboriginal Languages Strategy, some MCIEB partners who also are on the MALS Aboriginal teacher education and training connect Indigenous languages initiatives related to Indigenous languages teacher education training.
Manitoba First Nations Education Resource Centre
The Manitoba First Nations Education Resource Centre Inc. (the Resource Centre) provides the province’s leading education, administration, technology, language and culture services to First Nations schools in Manitoba.
The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs established the Resource Centre through resolution, in 1998, to provide coordinated second and third level education services to First Nations schools in Manitoba. The Resource Centre provides services and support to 58 First Nations schools from 49 Manitoba First Nations.
Respecting the diversity of Manitoba’s First Nations is an essential facet of the Resource Centre’s ability to support the schools in our communities. Best practices informed by academic research and extensive experience working with First Nations, are promoted through the various departments, using a service delivery team approach.
The Resource Centre promotes and encourages First Nations involvement in all aspects of the development and implementation of educational change.
Hightlights
The MFNERC fulfills the TRC’s Calls-to-Action by:
- Publishing tools for teachers in the five First Nations languages within Manitoba, so that the languages born on these lands can continue to thrive.
- Developing greater resources for the promotion and use of land-based learning, so that First Nations cultural activities can be supported and taught, and First Nations students can learn in a manner that speaks to the hearts, minds and culture.
- The professional development of non-Indigenous teachers in First Nation schools that includes learning about local First Nations cultures, philosophies, and ways of learning.
- Continuing to support post-secondary learning in areas like education and inclusion services, like psychology, audiology and other areas that support First Nations education, so that our First Nation students have the same educations supports that Canadians schools enjoy.
- Continuing to push for greater equity for First Nations when it comes to educational funding, services and infrastructure, so First Nations students can learn in environments that prepare them for the challenges and work environments of today.
Manitoba Institute of Trades and Technology
Information to come.
Manitoba School Boards Association
Established in 1908, our membership includes all 38 public school boards of Manitoba with associate membership of the Nisichawayasikh Education Authority. As the provincial organization mandated with advocacy, service and leadership in democratically elected school division governance, our members lead divisional efforts to promote quality and effective education and learning outcomes to over 190,000 students in Kindergarten to Grade 12, in nearly 700 schools across Manitoba.
Highlights
In keeping with its commitment to serve as a Blueprint partner, our association has successfully established an Aboriginal and Indigenous Education Action Plan to provide supplementary support to each of our members in advancing the cause of Indigenous education.
On the national stage, our association led significant efforts to achieve parity in funding between First Nations schools and public schools. In Manitoba, this was realized for the first time in our province’s history, in 2017.
Our association also provides regular professional development events in support of the work of our school board members on themes of truth and reconciliation, decolonization, and culturally responsive programming and services for our students.
Red River College Polytechnic
Red River College Polytechnic (RRC Polytech) is Manitoba’s largest institute of applied learning and research, with more than 150 full- and part-time degree, diploma and certificate options. Through hands-on and online learning opportunities and state-of-the-art instruction, we prepare our students to become leaders in their fields — while also ensuring they can meet changing industry demands, and contribute to the province’s economic growth.
We strive to transform spaces, to weave together distinct cultures, and to improve relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples. RRC Polytech’s goal is to become the premier choice in post-secondary education for Indigenous learners across Manitoba and beyond.
RRC Polytech has actively embedded the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action into everything we do, and made Truth and Reconciliation commitment #2 of our Strategic Plan. A signatory to the Manitoba Collaborative Indigenous Education Blueprint, RRC Polytech publicly pledged to advance Indigenous education in the province by enhancing culturally-inclusive supports strengthening partnerships with Indigenous communities.
Highlights
PATHWAY TO INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY PROGRAMS
Pathway to Information Technology Programs prepares Indigenous students to take the lead in technology and helps to jumpstart an education in technology. Pathways are exploratory and preparatory, ensuring that Indigenous students have the foundation to start strong in their post-secondary journeys. Pathways are for Indigenous students that haven’t experienced post-secondary education yet or want to build a starting point for an education in a particular industry. The Pathway to Information Technology is generously supported by RBC Future Launch, which has reduced the program’s tuition to $500 for each intake until 2024.
TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE
The Truth and Reconciliation Community of Practice is a learning community that creates opportunities for staff and faculty to extend and apply their learning, and to take action to advance Truth and Reconciliation and anti-racism. Participation will involve a commitment of 10-12 hours throughout the fall, including group discussion and small group or partner discussions, focused on guided questions that relate to both Truth and Reconciliation and anti-racism. Outcomes of participation in the TRCP include:
- Demonstrating a commitment to Truth and Reconciliation, and the pursuit of EDI.
- Experiencing and understanding Indigenous teachings, such as circle teaching and the Medicine Wheel.
- Identifying meaningful opportunities for individual action and engagement relating to reconciliation, and the enhancement of inclusion at RRC Polytech.
INDIGENOUS DISABILITY AWARENESS MONTH
In 2021, the Manitoba government recognized November as Indigenous Disability Awareness Month (IDAM). Manitobans join people across the country in promoting awareness of the barriers experienced by Indigenous Peoples living with disabilities. IDAM also highlights the achievements of Indigenous Peoples living with disabilities and recognizes the significant contributions they make to our communities.
Canada is a signatory to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and on June 21, 2023, the Government of Canada released an Action Plan guiding implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act. The Action Plan includes a measure to ensure that the rights of Indigenous Peoples with disabilities are respected in the design and delivery of government programs, policies and services.
RRC Polytech is committed to continuing its work to remove barriers to education and employment, and to promote access and participation in all aspects and activities of the College.
University College of the North
Information to come.
Université de Saint-Boniface
Information to come.
University of Manitoba
The University of Manitoba attracts people from around the world who share our ideals and vision for positive change. We believe in embracing challenges and taking action. Our students, researchers and alumni bring their unique voices to learning and discovery, shaping new ways of doing things and contributing to important conversations in topics that matter most, from human rights to global health to climate change. We are where imagination and action collide.
Our campuses include a vibrant Indigenous community of thousands of students, staff, faculty and alumni. The Indigenous campus community works together to build and expand our presence at UM, while creating a safe environment for students, staff and faculty to work and learn. Through collaboration with UM and community partners, we nurture opportunities for learning, research and relationship-building that all contribute to our mission to be a leader in Indigenous education.
Highlights
The implementation of the Indigenous Senior Leadership Report
The new Sweatlodge and Scaabe School
Honouring our Indigenous Campus Community
University of Winnipeg
Located in the heart of downtown Winnipeg, Manitoba, on original Treaty One land and in the heart of the Métis homeland, The University of Winnipeg is a comprehensive research university with a strong culture of research, scholarship, creativity, and innovation that spans the sciences, social sciences, humanities, and education. The University of Winnipeg is strongly committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion in its representation across its leadership positions, and in the work that it does. Home to approximately 10,000 undergraduate and graduate students, 340 full-time faculty, 323 instructional staff, and 489 support staff, UWinnipeg has an established reputation for academic and research excellence, a supportive and caring learning and working environment, and a commitment to Indigenous engagement and achievement.
Highlights
The Teaching Indigenous Languages for Vitality (TILV) Certificate enhances the effectiveness of Indigenous languages teaching and learning through training current and future Indigenous languages teachers in effective and culturally nourishing pedagogies.
The Indigenous Languages Student Reciprocity Agreement was established in 2022 as an expression of cooperation and mutual support between UWinnipeg and The University of Manitoba to expand Indigenous Languages course offerings to students attending each institution.
Candice Allard was appointed as the Métis Inclusion Officer at the University of Winnipeg, in collaboration with the Manitoba Métis Federation, and incorporated into the team at Aboriginal Student Services Centre (ASSC); she supports Métis students in accessing financial and cultural supports.
Blueprint Timeline
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