THE GIFT

In 2014, OISE received a $5-million gift , government agencies, non-govern- While the focus will be the Canadian from an anonymous donor to strengthen ment organizations and the private sector context, the Initiative will generate new Indigenous education research in Canada. with the aim of pursuing vital avenues of knowledge that is relevant to educa- INDIGENOUS inquiry that will enrich all public education. tion, and the study of education, in both The gift, which is the largest donation Indigenous and non-Indigenous societies ever made to a Canadian faculty of edu- “The University of Toronto is already rec- around the world. The research is also cation for Indigenous education research, ognized as a world leader in Indigenous expected to have a signifi cant impact on EDUCATION establishes a prestigious fellowship and education thanks to the dedication of policy in Canada. launched a comprehensive fi ve-year ini- scholars at OISE who have made Indigenous tiative exploring the educational needs education a priority,” said U of T President and aspirations of Indigenous peoples. Meric Gertler. “This gift affi rms that stature INITIATIVE and provides the support required to The initiative will help forge new part- ensure that U of T continues to lead the nerships among Indigenous peoples in way. This is a wonderful accomplishment.” at OISE Advancing Leadership in BECOMING THE GLOBAL LEADER IN Indigenous Knowledge INDIGENOUS EDUCATION RESEARCH and Education Literacy as an Indigenous Right: understanding the role of indigenous language, culture and state responsibilities for respect, recognition and support

Objectives Focus on Languages and Literacy UN Discussion

1. Position OISE and the University of Toronto In the fi rst year, the initiative will focus In anticipation of the United Nations as the global leader in Indigenous education on literacy. An initial focus on literacy will discussion about the post-2015 research serve as an access point for research sustainable development goals – which and knowledge mobilization around inter- includes a focus on literacy – and in 2. Establish effective partnerships with related systems and sectors and their conjunction with the United Nations Indigenous organizations, governmental interactions. For example, interacting sys- Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous and non-governmental organizations, tems (health, social services and child Peoples world conference, the Initiative and the private sector care, justice and education) and sectors will convene a side session to present 3. Spearhead ground-breaking research (public, for-profi t, non-for profi t). leading research outcomes and practical experiences by Indigenous 4. Mobilize knowledge for the purpose of A focus on literacy is also consistent educators and policy makers to deepen uptake in public policy; and with the platform proposed for the United the understanding of literacy as an 5. Enrich public education. Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals Indigenous right from the Indigenous Post-2015. That: literacy is essential for perspective. sustainable development in rich and poorer countries. Consequently, research from the OISE initiative would have reso- nance in an international context.

oise.utoronto.ca Ontario Institute for Studies in Education University of Toronto, 252 Bloor Street West Toronto, ON, M5S 1V6 INDIGENOUS EDUCATION RESEARCH INDIGENOUS SCHOLARS AT OISE

Forging new partnerships among Indigenous peoples in Canada and Suzanne Stewart Martin Cannon Suzanne Stewart is a psychologist and Martin Cannon is a citizen of the Oneida around the world. Bringing governments, NGOs and the public sector associate professor of Indigenous healing Nation of Six Nations at Grand River in Counselling Psychology at OISE, Uni- Territory. He is Associate Professor of together with Indigenous peoples to enrich public education. versity of Toronto, where she is also the Humanities, Social Sciences, and Social Special Advisor to the Dean on Aboriginal Justice Education at OISE, University Education and the Chair of the Indigenous of Toronto. Education Network. Suzanne holds a Canada Research Chair in Aboriginal His published work has focused on the DEAN Homelessness and Life Transitions. complexity of challenges facing educa- tors charged with decolonizing education Suzanne’s research and teaching inter- and bringing Indigenous knowledge into Dr. Julia O’Sullivan is currently professor Before coming to OISE, Dean O’Sullivan ests include Indigenous mental health the academy, colonial dominance and Suzanne Stewart and Dean at the Ontario Institute for established the fi rst department of Aborig- and healing in psychology (homeless- racism, including sex discrimination in Studies in Education and senior fellow inal education within a Canadian faculty ness, youth mental health, identity, and Canada’s Indian Act. at Massey College at the University of of education at Lakehead University. She work-life development), and Indigenous Toronto. Her research has attracted close is the founding National Director of the pedagogies in teacher education and Martin has been an advocate for legisla- to $8 million in external funding and has Centre for Excellence for Children and higher education and psychotherapy tive changes to colonial policy, and has led to the publication of more than 100 Adolescents with Special Needs focused practice/training. She is also Chair of worked with organizations like the Native scholarly and professional papers and on Northern and Aboriginal children. Cur- the Aboriginal Section of the Canadian Women’s Association of Canada, Union presentations. Her work has been pub- rently, she serves as the Chief Advisor to Psychology Association and is committed of Ontario Indians, and the National lished in English, French, Inuktitut and the Martin Aboriginal Education Initiative’s to advancing Indigenous healing issues Centre for Governance. His Ojibwa. Dean O’Sullivan has an interna- Wiiji Kakendaasodaa project. through the discipline of psychology. She book Racism, Colonialism, and Indige- tional reputation for her commitment to is a member of the Yellowknife Dene neity in Canada, is co-edited with Dr. and record in Aboriginal education. First Nation. Lina Sunseri and is published by Oxford Julia O’Sullivan University Press. His forthcoming book Jean-Paul Restoule Undoing Citizenship Injustice: Racism, Jean-Paul Restoule Jean-Paul Restoule is a member of the Sexism and Indian Status in Canada is Dokis First Nation. He is associate pro- currently under revision with the Univer- fessor of Aboriginal Education at OISE, sity of Toronto Press. University of Toronto. He has been a member of OISE’s Indigenous Educa- Sandra Styres tion Network since 1998 and was a Sandra Styres is of Mohawk, English co-Chair of the network for 7 years. He and French descent, and resides on DISTINGUISHED FELLOW co-founded SAGE Ontario, a peer sup- Six Nations of the Grand River Terri- port group for graduate students whose tory in Ontario. She is actively involved research involves Aboriginal communi- in her community facilitating research Chief Shawn A-in-chut Atleo has been Chief Shawn Atleo is a Hereditary Chief ties, and is an original member of the and working with language councils appointed the fi rst Distinguished Fellow from the Ahousaht First Nation. In July OISE working group designed to infuse and various community and scholarly of the William A. Macdonald, Q.C. Fel- 2009, he was elected National Chief of teacher education with Aboriginal per- experts in the fi elds of language and lowship in Indigenous Education. As a the Assembly of First Nations and was spectives called Deepening Knowledge, Aboriginal education. In January 2014, Martin Cannon Distinguished Fellow, Chief Atleo will re-elected in 2012. Previously, he served Enhancing Instruction. Sandra will teach Language, Literacy support The Indigenous Education Initia- two terms as Regional Chief of the BC and Curriculum in Aboriginal Educa- tive at OISE, a comprehensive fi ve-year AFN. Chief Atleo graduated in 2003 with Jean-Paul contributes to research on tion in several programs. Her research program to explore the educational a Master’s of Education in Adult Learning urban Aboriginal identity, HIV prevention interests include: teaching and learning needs and aspirations of Indigenous peo- and Global Change from the University messaging in Aboriginal communities, in Indigenous contexts; Land-centered ples in Canada and around the world. of Technology in Sydney, Australia. Chief access to post-secondary education for approaches to language, literacy, and Chief Atleo will play a lead role in forging Atleo’s accolades include 12 honorary Aboriginal people, and curriculum devel- curriculum; as well as, integration of new partnerships among Indigenous degrees from universities in Canada opment with Aboriginal perspectives. Indigenous teaching and learning in peoples in Canada, government agen- and the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond higher education with both Indigenous cies, non-government organizations and Jubilee Medal for his advocacy work on and non-Indigenous students. the private sector. behalf of First Nations. Chief Atleo also serves as the Chancellor of Chief Shawn “A-in-Chut” Atleo Island University.

Sandra Styres