More Indigenous education is coming to Brandon University for new students beginning in the fall.
The post-secondary institution is now requiring all new students to take at least one Indigenous-based course during their university career. This does not mean new students will be required to take the course during their first year; however, they will need to take at least one in order to graduate.
Students already studying at the university will not be required to take the three credit hours, as this is only for new students planning to attend BU.
David Docherty is the president and vice-chancellor at Brandon University and he says this announcement is a key step forward.
"We're an educational institute and I think educating people on our past, our present, and our future in terms of our relationship with the indigenous community is critically important," said Docherty. "We have a great opportunity here to do just that."
Courses that will be offered include Introduction to Native Studies courses for arts and sciences, as well as Indigenous teaching perspectives, Indigenous health care, and Indigenous music composition. Brandon University is also in the process of developing more Indigenous-based courses.
Roughly 14 percent of Brandon University's population is Indigenous.
"We have been looking at different ways that we can respond to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission here at Brandon University," offered Docherty. "One of those ways is to ensure that every student has some exposure to Indigenous knowledge in some way."
While many students that just graduated high school will be searching for an institution to begin their post-secondary studies, Docherty says Brandon is a great place to begin.
"One of our strongest features is small class sizes, students get to know their professors quite well," ended Docherty. "This helps not just in the learning process, but also for students who are thinking about moving onto further studies and getting letters of reference and because students can get to know their professors well, these letters are very personal."
