The Indigenous Education Network (IEN)


at The Ontario Institute for Studies in Education/University of Toronto (OISE/UT)


Links to topics within this page:

Introduction to the IEN:

The IEN is a self determining organization founded within OISE/UT in 1989 by Aboriginal students. We provide an Aboriginal presence at OISE/UT, and a forum for discussion and action on issues relating to Aboriginal education and research.

The IEN:

supports students and their study interests in Aboriginal education while at OISE/UT
promotes Aboriginal education
advances research on Aboriginal issues in relation to education
supports the development of Aboriginal curriculum at all levels of education

[Photo of some IEN members 
1999/00]
SOME OF IEN'S MEMBERS
Back Row: Peter Gamlin, Jean-Paul Restoule (co-chair), Anthony Ristine.
Front Row: Laara Fitznor (co-chair), Dawn T. Maracle (co-chair)

We Are:

Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal students, alumni, community, and faculty engaged in pre-service (teacher training), graduate studies, Aboriginal education and research at OISE/UT.
The IEN works in collaboration with an Aboriginal Students' Caucus that is a peer support group at OISE/UT.
The IEN maintains active community connections with First Nations' House (at the University of Toronto) and with other Aboriginal educational institutions and community groups.

What We Do:

Various members are involved in the following:
meeting monthly or as the need arises, to share information, organize events, and work towards goals established by the IEN. Committees also meet to follow up on assigned tasks.
maintaining a computer listserv to extend discussions of IEN topics to interested OISE/UT students, faculty and community members on and off campus. email: ien@oise.utoronto.ca
maintaining this Internet IEN homepage with links to relevant sites
developing a database of Aboriginal students and IEN members in all departments at OISE/UT plus their study and work interests.
advancing the Aboriginal academic profile at OISE/UT including: increasing the number of Aboriginal faculty members and collaborating on the Interdepartmental Specialization in Aboriginal Education and the Centre for Aboriginal Education and Research.
participating in relevant current events, conferences, guest lectures, symposiums, workshops, and Aboriginal community events.
hosting an Aboriginal Speakers Series. (See below)
hosting Elders Teaching Circles
collaborating with other groups related to Aboriginal education and Aboriginal issues at OISE/UT, e.g. The Transformative Learning Centre (TLC) and the Anti-Racist Network (ARN).
representing the IEN on the Advisory Council of First Nations' House at the University of Toronto.
providing initial information for incoming students on available financial assistance: Aboriginal scholarships and awards, plus other scholarships, awards, bursaries, grants, and work opportunities - e.g., graduate assistantships, teaching assistantships, and research positions.
organizing social events and get-togethers
raising the profile of Aboriginal students in the field of education.
publish and distribute a pamphlet describing the IEN and its activities.
working with Elders and traditional teachers.
organize and host community relations events such as potlucks, social gatherings, and performances

The Future We Envision

We wish to move toward:

establishing an Indigenous Education Research Centre at OISE/UT
creating or linking with a nation-wide data-base of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal scholars who are researching and teaching Aboriginal issues and Aboriginal education.
expanding liaison with the Native Focus Centre of the OISE/UT Field Centre for Education that is currently under development in Sudbury.
developing resource lists of Aboriginal curriculum at all levels of schooling (elementary, secondary, post-secondary, and graduate studies).
continuing promotion of Aboriginal students and faculty at OISE/UT, plus the advancement of IEN goals.
connecting and collaborating with Aboriginal education and research, and community projects, initiatives and events.
building links between students and faculty at OISE/UT and Aboriginal communities for the advancement of mutual needs and aspirations.

Courses in Aboriginal Education

The newly instituted Interdepartmental Specialization in Aboriginal Education at OISE/UT is offering the following courses at the graduate level:

The following are Preservice (Teacher-Training) courses in the Interdepartmental Focus on Aboriginal Education for 2000/2001:


Aboriginal Scholarships

As an Aboriginal student (including Métis, Inuit, and Status Indian) you are eligible to apply for the Aboriginal Scholarship of $11,500. Application forms are available by contacting the Financial Awards officer (Margaret Brennan) in the Student Services office at OISE/UT (5th floor)
phone (416) 923-6641 ext. 2650. Or email Margaret Brennan
Deadline for application is December 3rd for the following September term.

Other Sources of Financial Support

Aboriginal students are registered full time are encouraged to apply for Graduate Assistant positions at OISE/UT. These are part-time paid work positions generating approximately $8,000. per academic year. Application forms come with first-time enrollment packages or by contacting the Financial Awards Officer (Margaret Brennan) in the Student Services office at OISE/UT (5th floor). Phone (416) 978-6641 ext. 2650. Or email Margaret Brennan

Deadline for applications is December 3rd for the following September term.

There are other scholarships, bursaries, and awards you may be eligible to receive. For further information and to acquire dates for deadlines:
PLEASE NOTE! The IEN office is not equipped to answer questions concerning financial aid by telephone. Please call either Marg Brennan in the OISE/UT Student Services office or Anthony Ristine at First Nations House.


Upcoming Events at OISE/UT:

Aboriginal Education Speakers Series 2000/2001

Hosted by the Indigenous Education Network of OISE/UT

The schedule for Fall of 2000:

Aboriginal leaders and professionals share their perspectives on the health of Aboriginal Peoples of Canada. The talks are open to the public. Please pass this information on to interested people.

All presentations take place in room 7-162, OISE/UT, 252 Bloor St. W., Toronto, Ontario.
The first three events are co-sponsored with the 11th Annual Visiting Lectureship on Native Health, (1999), Dept. of Public Health Services, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto.

Mr. Ben Michel, Chief Negotiator for the Innu Nation on Land Rights
Topic: "Health of Innu People"

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 19TH, 2000
3 - 4:30 pm

Prof. Larry Chartrand, Faculty of Law, University of Ottawa
Topic: "Health of Metis People"

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 26TH, 2000
3 - 4:30 pm.

Ms. Roda Gray, Health Policy Advisor, Inuit Tapirisat
Topic: "Health of Inuit People"

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 2ND, 2000
3 - 4:30 pm.


NEXT MEETINGS OF THE IEN


The IEN will hold their regular meeting on the dates below (usually the first Thursday of each month). PLEASE NOTE: Individuals interested in advancing Aboriginal education and Indigenous Knowledge at OISE/UT are welcome to join us. The meeting dates for the IEN in the 2001 Spring term are as follows:

Other Events of Interest

Aboriginal and Indigenous Education Seminar Series

The schedule for 2001 can be found at the following site: Click here to go there now!

Women's Hand Drumming with Maggie Paul

Thursday October 19th, 2000
6 - 8 pm.
First Nations House, 563 Spadina Ave., Borden Bldg. 3rd Floor, Toronto.
ALL NATIONS WELCOME

Department of Anthropology, U. of Toronto
Fall Colloquium Series

JAMES WALDRAM, Professor at the University of Saskatchewan and medical anthroplogist, will speak on his current work on Aboriginal spirituality and healing. "The Efficacy of Traditional Healing: Some Current Theoretical and Methodological Issues."
Friday, October 20th
2:00 pm
Room 560A Sidney Smith Hall, University of Toronto
ALL WELCOME

Seventh Annual Stabilizing Indigenous Languages Conference
"Language Across the Community"

May 11-14, 2000

Toronto Colony Hotel
Toronto, Ontario, Canada

In collaboration with The Ontario Institute for Studies in Education


Links to Other Sites of Interest