CEWIL Insights | Viewing Party Series: Community Approach to Indigenizing WIL

Join the Experiential Learning Hub's watch party to view the encore presentations and sessions from CEWIL Canada's 2025 Conference.

A Community Approach to Indigenizing WIL: The Niitsitapi Circle of Excellence in Work Integrated Learning at the University of Lethbridge 

Presented by: Sheridan Macauley & Verona White Cow, University of Lethbriedge 

The Niitsitapi Circle of Excellence in Work-Integrated Learning (NCEWIL) is an Indigenous-led initiative that utilizes a community-based approach and a Program Advisory Committee (PAC) model to foster collaboration, cultural respect, and inclusion in experiential learning.

This session will present on the program’s development, implementation, and successes in creating culturally relevant, career-impactful, and meaningful WIL opportunities for Indigenous students through co-operative education and applied studies. At the heart of NCEWIL is our community approach and our PAC, which brings together Elders, community members, employers, faculty, staff, industry experts, alumni, and students.

Guided by Indigenous ways of knowing, doing, and being, the PAC ensures that the program is developed with relational, respectful, and reciprocal principles and practices to meet the unique needs of Indigenous learners at Iniskim. This collaborative approach has established a strong foundation for creating impactful work placements, fostering trust and relationships with community, and supporting employers - from small and medium enterprises to on-campus programs and services - to align their practices with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action and create opportunities for Indigenous students at Iniskim.

Participants will gain insights into how a community-driven approach actively addresses barriers to access, equity, and inclusion for Indigenous students in WIL. Key strategies, such as building trust with community, creating inclusive environments, and supporting employer readiness, will be shared. Additionally, the session will highlight challenges, such as navigating term-limited funding and colonial project management frameworks, and discuss ways to address them while centering Indigenous methodologies.

This session is ideal for individuals seeking to advance reconciliation within their WIL practices, develop culturally relevant programming, or build stronger partnerships with Indigenous communities. Attendees will leave with actionable strategies for creating inclusive, community-driven WIL programs that emphasize long-term relationship-building and equity for all students.   

Following the viewing session, please join us for our Community of Practice!