Public talk to focus on Indigenous student success at Assiniboine Community College and Brandon University

The city’s two post-secondary institutions are teaming up to present a prominent speaker on Indigenous student success Monday evening.

Dr. Michelle Pidgeon is an educational expert and the Editor of the Canadian Journal of Higher Education. In her talk, which is free to the public, she will share the reciprocal lessons learned from the experiences of Aboriginal students, Indigenous student services staff, and other staff, faculty, and administration in supporting Indigenous student success.

“Indigenous enrolment in post-secondary education is growing rapidly, yet there is much more that institutions like ours can do to support our Indigenous students, to ensure their success, and to reflect Indigenous culture throughout our campus,” said BU’s Dr. Meir Serfaty, Acting Vice-President (Academic & Provost) and member of the BU Senate sub-committee on Indigenous Education. “We are called to action through the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s final report, and as we continue our work to meet the challenges and opportunities of that mandate, it will be inspiring to hear from one of the leading thinkers in this area.”

Dr. Pidgeon is passionate about higher education, student services, and Indigeneity. A central tenant of her work is that success is defined and articulated through an Indigenous wholistic framework and research process with the goals of both transforming the educational system for Indigenous peoples and empowering their cultural integrity.

“Indigenous education is more than teaching and learning, it’s about jobs and economic prosperity, which creates a positive impact for individuals, families and communities,” said Assiniboine’s Dr. Deanna Rexe, Vice-President, Academic at Assiniboine. “A major strength of Assiniboine is how extensively we partner with Indigenous communities to provide place-based education and we are committed to increasing the participation rate of Indigenous students across our five campuses. I look forward to hearing Dr. Pidgeon’s perspectives on how we can continue to build on our success.”

From an Indigenous wholistic framework, Dr. Pidgeon critiques institutional norms and expectations regarding Indigenous student success and provides pathways for transforming their policies, programs, and practices to better empower Indigenous students throughout their post-secondary journeys.

The talk is free and open to the public. It will take place on Monday, May 7, at the Manitoba Institute of Culinary Arts at the Assiniboine North Hill campus. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., with the presentation to begin at 7 p.m. Light refreshments and fellowship will follow.