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 Dakelh and Tse'khene communities. 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. 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 the University of Northern British Columbia
Date: March 22, 2024
Time: 9:30am - 3:30pm (Doors open at 9:00am - please arrive early to get checked-in and collect your nametag)
Room: 6-205 Conference Centre
Registration Deadline: March 18, 2024
Darlene McIntosh is a highly respected Elder of Lheidli T’enneh First Nation, who belongs to the GROUSE - utsut Clan. Darlene is the daughter of Lejac School survivor, Mary Quaw and Peter Zatorski of Europeon descent. Darlene has lived in this community all her life, and now shares it with her husband, children and grandchildren. Darlene is committed to her community and works hard to bridge understanding between all the diverse groups who make up our community today.
Elder Darlene represents Lheidli T’enneh nation as an Ambassador, doing Traditional Welcomes and Opening prayers and is grounded in the aspect of Truth & Reconciliation.
Darlene is the Cultural Advisor in the Aboriginal Resource Centre of the College of New Caledonia (CNC) where she supports students, advises faculty and does spiritual work for the wider community. She is a natural teacher who brings a fresh perspective into the notion of indigenization, the 94 calls to action within truth and reconciliation.
Darlene has been appointed the 8th Chancellor of UNBC. With great honor Darlene has accepted her role for the next 3 years. She is the second female, Indigenous woman in 30 years to be chosen as the Chancellor of UNBC.
Jennifer Annaïs Pighin is a visual artist, educator, and member of the Lheidli T’enneh First Nation with Wet’suwet’en, French, and Italian ancestry. With a BA in Visual Arts from Emily Carr, a Bachelor of Education - Specialization in Art from the University of British Columbia, and a Masters in First Nations Studies from the University of Northern British Columbia, Jennifer brings a rich educational background to her advocacy work. Jennifer has been an educator and leader in both the public education system and higher education for over 17 years. She is deeply committed to promoting cultural inclusivity and equity in education, actively supporting reconciliation, decolonization, and indigenization (DRI) efforts, as well as justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI) initiatives. Jennifer also serves as the chair of the Omineca Artist Run Centre Society and a founding board member of the Northern Indigenous Arts Council in Prince George, BC. Through her leadership and advocacy, Jennifer strives to create spaces where all individuals feel valued and respected, contributing to a more inclusive and equitable society.
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.