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How can we cultivate stronger partnerships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities? Protocols and Practices for Indigenous and Non-Indigenous Engagement is a new course for learners involved in consultation, collaboration and engagement with Indigenous Peoples and communities.

The online course begins in September and was created by Indigenous education specialists Robyn Grebliunas and Connie Strayer, who will also instruct the course. Both Grebliunas and Strayer are Indigenous Peoples in Canada who have had the honour of working under the teachings of Indigenous Elders and Knowledge Keepers in First Nations communities.

“Connie and I view our work in Indigenous education as part of our reconciliation journey,” says Grebliunas. “In the words of the Honourable Murray Sinclair, ‘reconciliation is everyone’s responsibility.’ We are honoured to have the opportunity to develop and deliver this course for SFU. We also really enjoy working together, and we know our students will enjoy this too.”

While the four-week course is largely self-paced, it will include an opening circle and a closing circle that students can join online in real time.

“Our teaching values meet students where they are on their learning path,” explains Grebliunas. “Learning is circular. We will start with a welcome circle where we will meet the learners and get to know more about the knowledge and curiosity they bring to the course.”

For Grebliunas and Strayer, learning is not a linear process where an instructor simply hands content to the learner.

“Our teachings are grounded in two-way learning: learner to learner, learner to instructor, instructor to learner, content to learner, and land to learner,” says Grebliunas. “The course is developed to be engaging and create two-way learning that is strength-based, safe and respectful. In our traditional ways, we will open and close in circle.”

The course forms part of SFU’s Dialogue and Civic Engagement Certificate program, but it’s available to all learners. According to Grebliunas and Strayer, it can help anyone already working in (or anticipating working in) Indigenous and non-Indigenous relations, as well as anyone on their reconciliation journey seeking more knowledge.

Registration is now open for the course, which launches on September 17.