Local to Global – Reimagining International Education to Align with DRI and JEDI Initiatives
BCCIE has long supported the development of intercultural capacities as foundational to the increasing cultural diversity on our campuses. Since the release of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action in 2015, BCCIE has expanded their efforts to support institutions commitments to meaningful reconciliation. At the same time many institutions have also dedicated resources to the establishment of equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) principles. In British Columbia many colleges and universities are developing strategic plans for international education. As we consider these strategies, it will be important to explore how we might align more intentionally with decolonization, reconciliation, and indigenization (DRI) efforts, as well as, justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI) initiatives.
With the support of the Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills, BCCIE is organizing regional workshops that will bring together local band members and elders, community members and international educators to explore these conversations at a local level. Through dialogue and learning activities, participants will consider how, where, and whether international education can be reimagined to align with these other institutional imperatives.
The full-day workshop will explore the following:
- How might the future of international education in BC relate to Decolonization, Reconciliation and Indigenization (DRI)?
- How might the future of international education in BC relate to Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI)?
- How intercultural and global learning can be both complementary and foundational to advancing equity and justice both locally and globally.
This event is intended for regional institutions located on the territory of the Sinixt (Lakes), the Syilx (Okanagan), the Ktunaxa and the Secwépemc (Shuswap) peoples - also known as the Kootenay region. Registration for international office staff from institutions in these territories is limited. BCCIE reserves the right to cancel your registration if you are from an institution that is outside of the territories listed above. Participants must register for this event and commit to attending the full session. Lunch will be provided. If you register and can no longer attend, please inform us as soon as possible so we may reallocate your spot.
Details for the workshop being hosted at Selkirk College
Date: November 14, 2023
Time: 9:30am - 3:30pm
Location: Castlegar Campus - Staff Lounge (CAF 110)
Registration Deadline: November 8, 2023
Pete is a member of the ʔakisq̓nuk First Nation. He has been involved in various social, political and economic discussions involving Indigenous people throughout the Northwest for 30 years. He currently resides in southeastern British Columbia, and continues his Indigenous advocacy throughout the East, Central and West Kootenays.
Dr. Christopher Horsethief is a research professor and postdoctoral researcher focusing on health research policy and Indigenous community resilience. He has 28 years of experience researching Ktunaxa linguistic and cultural systems, including the impact of colonization and potential resilience through education. His instructional experience includes time with Antioch University’s and Union Institute & University’s doctoral programs, Gonzaga University’s MBA-AIE Program and an appointment as the Indigenous Scholar in Residence at College of the Rockies. Christopher is a member of the ʔakisq̓nuk First Nation.
Dr. Kyra Garson has worked as the Intercultural Coordinator at Thompson Rivers University for over a decade. Kyra has provided hundreds of professional development workshops for higher education provincially, nationally, and internationally with a focus on enhancing intercultural understanding, inclusive pedagogies, and equity literacy. Her research interests include critical pedagogies, multicultural group work and critical internationalization studies. She has edited and published numerous special issues, chapters, and papers related internationalization, intercultural understanding, and critical perspectives in education. Kyra’s doctoral study entitled “Are we graduating Global Citizens?” received the Canadian Society for the Study of Higher Education’s dissertation of the year award in 2014. In 2011, the Canadian Bureau for International Education selected her to receive the Internationalization Award for her work with faculty to intercuturalize the curriculum. In 2017, she was awarded the Distinguished Leadership Award by the British Columbia Council for International Education. In 2020 she was recognized by her TRU peers with the Excellence in Interculturalization Award.