The Circle of Indigenous Students (CIS) is an Indigenous student group that supports Indigenous students through cultural and social events.
Northwestern Polytechnic acknowledges that our campuses are located on Treaty 8 territory, the ancestral and present-day home to many diverse First Nations, Métis, and Inuit people. We are grateful to work, live and learn on the traditional territory of Duncan's First Nation, Horse Lake First Nation and Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation, who are the original caretakers of this land.
We acknowledge the history of this land and we are thankful for the opportunity to walk together in friendship, where we will encourage and promote positive change for present and future generations.
The Elder in Residence program provides a consistent and approachable Elder who can help address the struggles of being a student by giving guidance on incorporating tradition with student life. Additionally, the Elder provides teachings about Indigenous culture and spirituality, advises faculty and administration on history and traditions, and gives class presentations or workshops.
Students at NWP benefit from the support and guidance of Theresa Gladue, our Elder in Residence. Elder Theresa has the unique ability to meet students' needs holistically by offering support and guidance to them and their families. She also addresses spiritual needs through song and ceremony, which are key elements of student success.
The library at Northwestern Polytechnic recognizes that our catalogue and resource descriptions contain language that reflects the biases, norms, and perspectives of the time in which they were created. In particular, for resources about persons and groups, this language is often outdated and harmful. These descriptions also incorporate controlled vocabularies, such as the Library of Congress Subject Headings, which include some headings (e.g., Indians of North America), that are offensive or inappropriate. We use international standards for description, but support and actively participate in efforts to update and change these practices as we strive for descriptions that are inclusive, respectful, and do not cause harm. We acknowledge the critical importance of community collaboration in these efforts, and as residents on Treaty 8 territory, we commit to working together with our local communities to make these changes.