The Centre for Teaching and Learning has hired Jaimie Kechego as a teaching and learning specialist in the field of Indigenization.
Kechego, who started working part-time at the centre in 2019 as project co-ordinator for Indigenous curriculum and pedagogy initiatives, said she is humbled by the opportunity to provide guidance and support to University of Windsor faculty and staff as they continue to work towards Indigenization.
“I will provide a space to have conversations about how Indigenous knowledges would look in courses and programs and then put those conversations into action. This will involve an honest approach to relationship building,” she said. “Indigenization is about taking the time to learn what wasn’t taught in the mainstream education system in Canada and how to provide space for that knowledge alongside Western knowledge.”
Kechego will assist in the development and implementation of programs and initiatives to advance the University of Windsor’s efforts to include Indigenous knowledge and ways of knowing in curricula and teaching practices, as well to build relationships with Indigenous communities.
She will also provide research and support for academic Indigenous projects related to post-secondary education, in keeping with the commitment to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the Universities Canada Principles on Indigenous Education.
Krista Loughead, sessional instructor in the Faculty of Human Kinetics, is appreciative of the assistance she has received from Kechego in the past and is pleased that she has been hired in a new role with an extended scope.
“With Jaimie’s support, our faculty has been privileged to host guest lectures with a Jingle Dress Dancer, Fire Keeper, Lacrosse player, and an Aboriginal Navigator from Windsor Regional Hospital, to provide a few examples,” she said. “These lectures have been impactful and have also encouraged students to reflect on diverse ways of knowing that they may not have had an opportunity to experience otherwise.”
Maureen Sterling, associate professor in the Odette School of Business, said she has learned an enormous amount from Kechego on new ways of teaching material.
“This university needs a specialist in education who is Indigenous to enable each of us as educators to develop the content, materials and perspectives that achieve not only the TRC call to action in Education, but ensures we comply with federal law as we do so,” said Dr. Sterling.
Kechego will be offering a six-week workshop series entitled “Pulling Together: A Guide for Curriculum Developers,” beginning Feb. 14. Learn more about the series, or register.
She wants the campus community to be aware of her open-door policy.
“My door is open to those who wish to begin or improve their Indigenization journey,” Kechego said. “I strongly encourage faculty and staff to reach out if they need help with Indigenization.”
—Peter Marval