4 Seasons of Reconciliation course now available to Laurier staff and faculty

Dec. 14, 2020

Wilfrid Laurier University is working to enhance Indigenous knowledge and practices across the university. A new collaboration among campus partners is helping support that goal.

​The Office of Indigenous Initiatives, Human Resources and the Laurier Library have partnered to make 4 Seasons of Reconciliation, an online professional development course, available to all Laurier employees. Developed in partnership by First Nations University of Canada – a federated college of the University of Regina – Indigenous Elders, Traditional Knowledge Keepers and residential school Survivors, 4 Seasons of Reconciliation provides learners with foundational knowledge about Truth and Reconciliation, deepens historical understanding and expands knowledge about current Indigenous realities.

Topics covered as part of 4 Seasons of Reconciliation include Indigenous cultures, treaties, colonialism, residential schools, restitution and the 94 Calls to Action contained in the report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada​. The course is self-paced and can be accessed through MyLearningSpace. It can be completed in approximately three hours.

“This course provides an important starting point to support discussions within the broader university community in relation to Laurier’s Indigenous strategic planning efforts,” says Melissa Ireland, director and interim senior advisor of Indigenous Initiatives. “This is an excellent opportunity for staff and faculty, one which allows us to learn and unlearn together. Regardless of your understanding of Indigenization and decolonial frameworks, everyone can learn something from these resources.”

Beginning in January 2021, 4 Seasons of Reconciliation will be included as part of onboarding training for all new Laurier employees and form part of a forthcoming inclusive workplace certificate program.

“The 4 Seasons of Reconciliation course provides an important opportunity for employees to engage in learning about Indigenous histories and cultures, the ongoing impacts of colonization, and their role in reconciliation in the workplace and beyond,” says Pamela Cant, chief human resources and equity officer at Laurier. “We look forward to including this course as part of Laurier’s new employee onboarding program and encourage employees to continue to engage in dialogue and learning opportunities.”

A certificate of completion from First Nations University of Canada will be provided to those who complete the course successfully. Discussions about the course content, allyship, and Indigenization in the workplace will be facilitated by the Office of Indigenous Initiatives and Human Resources’ equity and accessibility team during the coming months.

For more information about the course, contact Brianne Hollingsworth, equity and accessibility specialist, at bhollingsworth@wlu.ca or Melissa Ireland, director and interim senior advisor of Indigenous Initiatives, at mireland@wlu.ca.