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Funding Education

The Indigenous Education Council (IEC) and Indigenous Initiatives (part of the Office of the Vice-President, Equity and Community Inclusion) are responsible for guiding, developing and leading Indigenous education at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU). The IEC’s work includes a focus on implementation of the Postsecondary Education Fund for Aboriginal Learners (PEFAL) through the Ontario Ministry of Colleges and Universities.

Curriculum Development Fund

The IEC believes that in order for Indigenous students to participate and be successful in postsecondary education, there is a need for Indigenous curriculum and programming, and for First Nations, Métis and Inuit faculty and students to be actively engaged in research on Indigenous topics.

The IEC will assist schools and departments across TMU to embed Indigenous content throughout the university campus, curriculum and community. We will create a model that can be adapted by other universities in their endeavours to support Indigenous People within their institutions. Our ultimate goal is to participate in the process of developing a new relationship of truth and reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people at Toronto Metropolitan University and in the community at large, based on knowledge and respect.  

Call for Indigenous* curriculum proposals 2024-2025

All programs, faculties and schools, or any individual faculty members, are invited to submit proposals related to curriculum development.  

*On this web page, the term “Indigenous” refers to members of First Nations (status and non-status), Métis, and Inuit Peoples of Canada.

IEC curriculum development infusion model 

The Indigenous Education Council will assist all interested programs, faculties and schools at Toronto Metropolitan University to integrate Indigenous content and perspectives throughout their curriculum using an infusion model in order to best serve Indigenous students and the entire TMU community. The IEC is open to supporting the development of new courses and the development of new material for existing courses.  

Suggested models for Indigenous curriculum development

  • Development of new courses, both electives and required, which focus on Indigenous content 
  • Professional development for faculty on Indigenous content and pedagogy
  • Evaluation of overall current curriculum and pedagogy with a commitment to infuse Indigenous content 

Requirements

  1. Attend an information session 
  2. Attend monthly circles with Rebirthed Teachings - Community Learning Circles for ongoing support and collaboration 
  3. Project must be supported by Indigenous research assistants, Indigenous consultants, Indigenous community collaborators and/or Indigenous faculty
  4. Report on activities and spending to the Indigenous Education Council upon completion (see reporting template)

Work on the Indigenous Curriculum Development project shall be completed on or prior to March 15, 2025. Spending must follow Toronto Metropolitan University policy: all expense receipts must be retained and submitted to the university via the Indigenous Education Council Administrative Coordinator upon completion of the project and no later than March 15, 2025. In addition, any unspent funds and/or in-eligible type expenditures must be reimbursed to the university. Upon completion of the project the recipient shall submit to the sponsor (IEC) via the Administrative Coordinator, a final report on March 25, 2025 describing the results of the project. Failure to comply with reporting deadlines may result in the removal of any future project considerations. 

Funding guidelines

  1. Total maximum project budget of $5,000
  2. Recommended honorarium for Traditional Practitioners (ex. Elder, Knowledge carrier, Spiritual Advisor, etc.)
    1. $250 half day minimum
    2. $500 full day minimum
    3. Provide rationalization for additional funding
  3. Indigenous research assistants
  4. Ensure appropriate honorariums/compensation for all Indigenous community partners and Indigenous consultants

Areas to include in the proposal

  1. Contact information
  2. Brief description of the program, faculty or school requesting funds
  3. Explanation of how Indigenous content will be embedded throughout the program, faculty or school 
  4. Description of proposed course or other approach
  5. Description of Indigenous partner(s) and relationships that will inform your project
  6. Budget detailing how funds will be used 
  7. Timelines

Submission deadline and requirements

Proposals are due by Wednesday, February 28, 2024 at 5 p.m. Please submit your proposal by email attachment with the subject “2024/25 Curriculum Development Proposal – name of school, faculty or program” to cktrudeau@torontomu.ca.

Questions?

If you have further questions or require information on models/approaches for curriculum development or technical aspects of the proposal, please Cher Trudeau, Administrative Coordinator, Indigenous Education Council at cktrudeau@torontomu.ca.

Past projects

To date, the IEC has supported curriculum development on Indigenous content in many schools and departments including:

  • School of Journalism
  • School of Social Work
  • School of Nutrition
  • School of Midwifery
  • School of Child and Youth Studies
  • School of Early Childhood Education

In addition, the IEC has helped to support educational events for:

  • School of Social Work
  • Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
  • Politics and Public Administration
  • Student Affairs 
  • School of Journalism 
  • School of Fashion

The IEC was also instrumental in the content design and application to the university Senate for approval of the Chang School of Continuing Education’s Certificate in Indigenous Knowledges and Experiences released in 2014. As well, the IEC and the Chang School have partnered to run the program, Indigenous Foundations, which is designed for Indigenous community members who seek to broaden their opportunities towards academic success.