Trent University & Katimavik Sign Agreement to Support Reconciliation & Indigenous Youth Programming

New partnership to foster intercultural learning between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples

March 3, 2017

Educating, empowering and engaging diverse youth volunteers in a new and reconciled relationship of mutual respect, trust, and justice between the Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples of Canada will be the goal of a new partnership agreement between Trent University and Katimavik.

This new agreement, which brings together the knowledge of the Trent academic community with the diverse development opportunities offered through Katimavik, will see partners collaborating on civic engagement learning approaches and tools.  As well, Trent will partner with Katimavik in its Indigenous Youth in Transition (IYIT) approach by working with sponsoring Indigenous communities to develop successful pedagogies and learning experiences for Indigenous youth.

“I am pleased that we are able to partner with Katimavik on issues of reconciliation,” says Professor David Newhouse, chair of the Indigenous Studies Department at Trent University. “Katimavik has an excellent record of bringing young people together and fostering intercultural learning and collaboration. Active reconciliation is based upon this, our willingness to engage with each other, as cultural people and to learn how to work together for our mutual benefit.”

“Katimavik is building strong programs and partnerships to further reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people,” said Saga Williams, vice-chair of the Katimavik Board of Directors. “We are pleased to formalize this agreement that will allow youth to actively engage with important Indigenous issues and work towards making Canada more inclusive and just.”

Under this agreement, Trent University commits to:

• Support for the relaunch of Katimavik’s national core program and the Indigenous Youth in Transition (IYIT) approach
• Provide access to Trent University’s educational expertise and services to explore and develop more effective learning approaches and tools
• Become a formal teaching partner for IYIT programs, with Katimavik and selected Indigenous partners
• Work with Katimavik to develop ways to accredit the development experience of the Katimavik volunteers, including mastering the curriculum for active reconciliation

Under the new partnership, Katimavik will:

• Promote Trent as a preferred place of learning for Indigenous youth from Indigenous communities, including urban youth, for the IYIT
• Provide Trent’s not-for-profit organizations with a Katimavik volunteer
• Assist Trent in recruiting Indigenous and non-Indigenous students, based on Trent’s leadership in Indigenous learning

The Centre for Teaching and Learning at Trent will play an active role in the partnership by working with Katimavik to infuse Indigenous Knowledge and perspectives into curriculum across disciplines at Trent.

The official announcement of the partnership will be made today at the Annual Elders and Traditional People’s Gathering at Trent University which offers an opportunity to share in Indigenous knowledge through workshops, presentations, and performances.

About Trent University

One of Canada’s top universities, Trent University was founded on the ideal of interactive learning that’s personal, purposeful and transformative. Consistently recognized nationally for leadership in teaching, research and student satisfaction, Trent attracts excellent students from across the country and around the world. Here, undergraduate and graduate students connect and collaborate with faculty, staff and their peers through diverse communities that span residential colleges, classrooms, disciplines, hands-on research, co-curricular and community-based activities. Across all disciplines, Trent brings critical, integrative thinking to life every day. Today, Trent’s unique approach to personal development through supportive, collaborative community engagement is in more demand than ever. Students lead the way by co-creating experiences rooted in dialogue, diverse perspectives and collaboration. In a learning environment that builds life-long passion for inclusion, leadership and social change, Trent’s students, alumni, faculty and staff are engaged global citizens who are catalysts in developing sustainable solutions to complex issues. Trent’s Peterborough campus boasts award-winning architecture in a breathtaking natural setting on the banks of the Otonabee River, just 90 minutes from downtown Toronto, while Trent University Durham – Greater Toronto Area, delivers a distinct mix of programming in the east GTA.

About Katimavik

Founded in 1977, Katimavik is a national non-profit organization. Its mission is to develop diverse youth as capable contributors, compassionate citizens and leaders for a better

Canada. Through experiential learning, Katimavik empowers young Canadians to become responsible citizens who seek to make a positive change in their lives and in their communities. This includes active reconciliation. For 40 years, Katimavik has enabled over 35,000 young Canadians to become actively involved in their communities. Katimavik also has an Eco-Internship program in Quebec. Since 2009, this program allows young people to take tangible actions for the environment through voluntary service and the development of group projects in their community.

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For more information contact:

Kate Weersink, media relations & strategic communications officer, Trent University, (705) 748-1011 x6180 or kateweersink@trentu.ca; orKeline Attikpo, communication coordinator, Katimavik, (514) 868-0898

If you no longer wish to receive news releases and advisories from Trent University, please email communications@trentu.ca to unsubscribe. Accessible versions of this document are available upon request at trentu.ca/accessible

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