Executive Summary
Six Nations Polytechnic (SNP), an Indigenous Institute in Six Nations, has more than 25 years of experience in program delivery, focusing on innovative approaches to partnership and Indigenous student success. SNP's mission is the preservation, application and creation of knowledge specific to Ogwehoweh languages, and culture while respectfully interacting and informing other knowledge systems. SNP's “two-road” epistemology applies in teaching and research that serve the social, cultural and economic needs of the Six Nations community and society.
Indigenous Institutes play a unique role in Ontario’s postsecondary education system by providing accessible education and training to Indigenous students in culturally responsive learning environments. Currently Indigenous Institutes partner with colleges and universities to offer degree, certificate, and diploma programs.
Six Nations Polytechnic initiated this project towards Enhancing Credit Transferability, and worked collaboratively with our regional University Consortium Partners including Brock University, McMaster University, University of Guelph, University of Waterloo, University of Western Ontario and Wilfrid Laurier University. Building on the foundation of an articulation agreement established in 1992, the project aimed to enhance and expand the existing pathways with our partners, and to ensure that transfer pathways are current, clear and accessible to staff and students.
The project connected those working directly with student admissions and transfer credit, to define how pathways are best administered towards optimum student transfer experiences. Discussions were prefaced with an introduction to the news release for the historic Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Development (MAESD) announcement[1] of legislation that would “recognize Indigenous Institutes as [an] unique and complementary pillar of Ontario’s postsecondary education system and support the independence and sustainability of the institutes in Ontario’s system,” and a copy of the Indigenous Institutes Act, 2017.[2]
Informed by discussion with university partners, we also requested feedback from students currently enrolled in the SNP University Consortium Year 1 Program. This direct insight was valuable, and affirmed the need to ensure that students are fully understanding their transfer options and have access to pursue all pathways.
Project outcomes include:
Improved Communications and an Annual Review Process
Creation of the Six Nations Polytechnic University Consortium Year 1 Program Transfer Credit Chart provides an accurate reference for all partners, and a mechanism for curriculum updates. Establishing partner contacts who are familiar with the details of the articulation agreement will facilitate the supportive relationships necessary to maintain accurate student transfers and support new developments.
Improved Transfer Support for Students
Student Transfer Information Sheets unique to each partner university will provide an overview for students to facilitate program application decision making, and be a reference for both the resource and the relationship aspects of transferring. Student feedback confirmed the need to help students understand and consider key factors that influence a transfer decision, beyond the determination of course transfer credit.
The project affirmed the importance of positive relationships, and students were consistent in communicating the value of Indigenous student support resources during their transition to the partner universities. This project provides transfer resource tools that will support the range of transfer interactions and relationships.
Reciprocal Partnerships and a Shared Commitment
The project enhanced the reciprocal nature of our partnerships. It affirms that the SNP University Consortium Year 1 Program (UP) is not merely a one-direction pathway to Level 2 at the university partners. Enrollment at SNP and in UP is not limited to Indigenous students, and these relationships can also support a pathway from the University partners to SNP, for students who will not receive an immediate offer of admission. This additional pathway is available for university partners to refer ineligible applicants to SNP to complete their first year, facilitating partner admission at Level pending their successful completion.
The reciprocal nature of the partnership is further strengthened as Consortium partners confirmed their support of our request for the SNP Consortium Articulation Agreement to be visible on their sites, in a manner similar to other transfer pathways. Partners indicated some uncertainty with how this will be done, as Indigenous Institutes currently do not have a clear presence with ONCAT.
Reducing Barriers
Engagement with current students provided increased awareness of the postsecondary barriers they may still experience, even as transfer pathways are designed to facilitate seamless transitions. These discussions confirmed the need for continued engagement between institutions and the importance of a clear online presence in Ontario for Indigenous Institutes moving forward.
Moving Forward
An essential outcome will be that Indigenous Institutes are well supported with the recognition that has been available to Ontario colleges and universities. We appreciate ONCAT support of this project, and are well positioned to expand the positive relationships and transfer opportunities with our college and university partners. Six Nations Polytechnic respectfully requests that ONCAT recognition and support be expanded to include pathways with Six Nations Polytechnic and other Indigenous Institutes, ensuring that all students have access to the full range of transfer opportunities.
.
[1] Sourced from: https://news.ontario.ca/maesd/en/2017/11/ontario-breaking-ground-in-indigenous-postsecondary-education.html
[2] Sourced from: https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/17i34a