Leadership from 31 Canadian post-secondary institutions were in the Yukon this week to learn how to make reconciliation a reality at universities and colleges in the south.
The group came together in the Yukon for seven days to learn from the successes of Yukon College, and to discuss how they can implement calls to action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
During their seven-day visit the presidents and other post-secondary leaders travelled to Dawson City to learn about the lesser known parts of local history. And in Whitehorse they discussed policy, governance, programs and research.
Dr. Deborah Saucier is president of Vancouver Island University and a members of the Metis Nation of Alberta.
She says post-secondary institutions have goodwill in acting on the TRC’s recommendations, but most lack the resources.
“The work is huge, and it’s falling on a very few number of people who have limited resources to provide that piece,” she says. “So if I were to make a pitch for something, it would be to get a few more people so that we could start to actually help people change their curriculum, change their course content.”
