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Indigenous Perspectives, Knowledges, and Self-Determination

Our program aims to foster the learning and development of student occupational therapists that are capable of affirming the self-determination and sovereignty of Indigenous clients, groups, communities, and populations in their practice. As a program and department, we want to increasingly centre and value Indigenous knowledges, perspectives, and worldviews in our curriculum and pedagogy – we believe this will benefit and support the learning experiences of both Indigenous and non-Indigenous students and the health and wellness of Indigenous clients that our students work with (now and in the future). 

Indigenous Focus

The Department will offer additional, intentional learning opportunities throughout the year that centre Indigenous knowledges, perspectives, and worldviews, as well as opportunities for engagement with Indigenous communities. Examples include: screenings of Indigenous films, presentations from Indigenous scholars/practitioners, and volunteer opportunities at an Indigenous Elders wellness event. There will be at least two learning opportunities offered each semester (e.g., one Department event and one Faculty event) and one volunteer opportunity each year.

If you have a suggestion for a topic, presenter, or other learning opportunity for an Indigenous Focus event, please complete this .

For Indigenous Students

The Department's Indigenous Liaison, , is available to connect with and support Indigenous students in the program (as well as those throughout the Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine). Hayley will facilitate and coordinate an Indigenous student group that will meet throughout the year. She is also available to connect individually with any Indigenous student in the program – Hayley would love for you to reach out to her directly at: hlaughli@ualberta.ca. 

It is well-documented that some Indigenous students have experienced non-belonging, exclusion, and harm within colonial university programs, including occupational therapy programs (see ; ; ). While our Department aims to take steps towards making our program safer for Indigenous students (and others that experience structural inequality), our Indigenous Liaison (along with other Indigenous program consultants) is here to intentionally support the belonging and educational experience of Indigenous students. 

For more information 

For additional information about Indigenous perspectives within the occupational therapy community, please see the .

For more information about our Department's approach to reconciliation, please contact Cori Schmitz at: cori.schmitz@ualberta.ca.

See also: