Case study
Relationship between Collège Ahuntsic & Mikana
A partnership based on mutual respect and shared values
Mikana has been collaborating with Collège Ahuntsic on its indigenization process since 2018. The objectives of this long-term project are to:
Raise awareness among all staff and students of the different realities of Indigenous Peoples
Recognize the value of Indigenous Peoples at the Collège and on the territory where we are located
Empowering Indigenous and non-indigenous youth
Building bridges with communities involved in various current issues
Consider ways of adapting admission policies for Indigenous students.
Indigenization
Collaboration
Decolonization
Outlook
Ahuntsic Pedagogical Conference
Workshop: Pedagogy of Discomfort
Workshop: The Circle and the Box
Pedagogy of discomfort
In early 2020, we co-developed and facilitated a workshop called “Indigenizing practices through the pedagogy of discomfort,” which proposes to concretely recognize the role that discomfort plays in learning about sensitive topics such as feelings of guilt, perceptions of ignorance or incompetence, identity-related shame or various forms of ethnocentrism.
Sustainable partnership and community of practice
The relationship between Mikana and Ahuntsic continues to this day, whether through our recurrent involvement in the Pedagogical gathering on Indigenization, or through our regular coaching of a group of teachers who wish to decolonize their practices and include Indigenous perspectives in their curriculum.
More recently, Mikana and the Collège have once again teamed up to set up a new community of practice on indigenization within AQPC.
What may the indigenization process actually look like?
Indigenization aims to develop, within an institution, attitudes and behaviours that concretely recognize the contribution of Indigenous cultures. This process requires us to reflect on and correct colonial reflexes. Indigenization actions can include:
Organizing cultural activities.
Creating an Indigenous Students Committee and granting scholarships to these students.
Redesigning courses and teaching practices.
Training members of the organization.
Creating workshops on decolonization and indigenization.
Creation tools, such as a best practice guide.
A partnership based on mutual respect and shared values
Our relationship with Mikana has evolved considerably since its inception. We quickly chose to build on shared values, an approach that we keep refining to this day. School-based decolonization and indigenization projects take time, and can’t be done without truly listening to the perspectives of Indigenous Peoples and acting on the needs they identify. Over the years, through open dialogue, genuine reciprocity and mutual respect, we have worked to identify our respective complementary skills and knowledge, and put them to use in the service of something greater. It is indeed a precious relationship we have here.
– Julie Gauthier, anthropology teacher. Collège Ahuntsic
Learn more
Another concrete example of our work
Service de la culture de Montréal
From 2021 to 2022, Mikana supported the City of Montréal’s Service de la culture in its decolonization process, raising awareness among 72 employees and creating a fact sheet for respectful collaboration.
Together, we can make a difference.
