This message is being shared on behalf of the First Peoples Indigenous Centre and the Centre for Teaching and Learning.

Durham College (DC) recognizes June 21 as National Indigenous Peoples Day, an annual celebration of Indigenous Peoples’ culture, heritage and outstanding contributions.

Traditionally celebrated on or near June 21 because of its correlation with the summer solstice, National Indigenous Peoples Day provides an opportunity for all Canadians to celebrate the rich culture and diversity of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples.

In recognition of National Indigenous Peoples Day, we encourage the campus community to learn more about Indigenous culture and history by completing the newly revised seven-module training course titled: Indigenous Histories and Reconciliation. These modules were created to support DC’s Indigenization Statement by the First Peoples Indigenous Centre (FPIC), in collaboration with the Centre for Teaching and Learning (CTL), Campus Library and Ontario Tech University’s Teaching and Learning Centre.

True to Indigenous ways of learning and knowing, the course invites participants to discover their own ways of learning. Its seven modules – Love, Respect, Honesty, Humility, Bravery, Truth and Wisdom – provide a framework for post-secondary institutions to adapt to fulfill commitments outlined in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Calls to Action. Topics include:

• Treaties and dynamics between settlers and Indigenous peoples;
• Residential schools;
• Assimilationist policies;
• Missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls;
• Decolonization;
• Intergenerational trauma; and
• Resiliency of Indigenous communities.

Accessing the training modules

For students and employees
The Indigenous Histories and Reconciliation course can be accessed under the self-registration tab on DC Connect. Students and employees can access the course using their network password and login information. Once registered, the course will appear under the Manually Managed Term tab. Upon completion of a module, participants will receive a badge.

Once all seven modules have been finished, student and employees will receive a recognition of completion through DC Connect.

For members of the public
The training module is available online for members of the public. Participants will receive a recognition of completion after each module.

This project was made possible with funding by the Government of Ontario and through eCampusOntario’s support of the Virtual Learning Strategy. Learn more about the Virtual Learning Strategy online.