The call was put out to artists for submissions on the theme of ‘Truth and Reconciliation and Engineering’. Valcourt has been painting professionally since 1995 and uses his position as an artist to engage and educate people with Indigenous knowledge, so this project aligned with his values to create dialogue through art. Indigenous Peoples are the first engineers and this mural illustrates the connection between engineering and Indigenous innovations and ways of being. 

“The mural is about acknowledging the past and focusing on reclaiming that which was lost, using traditional methods”. – Mike Valcourt

The mural was officially unveiled during the Price Faculty of Engineering’s Homecoming Reception on Friday, Sept. 20, 2024 where alumni came together to reconnect with each other and visit the halls that they spent so much time in back when they were in university. For some, it was only a few years ago, for others it has been 60 years! Mike Valcourt sat down with Dean Marcia Friesen during the formal program of the event to discuss the imagery in the mural.

The mural is divided into three different sections, representing the past, present and future. The left side is filled with a hydro-electric dam with buffalo jumping off it which represents how Indigenous communities have been negatively affected. Dean of the Price Faculty of Engineering, Marcia Friesen, comments that, “The engineering profession has been central to the development of Manitoba and Canada, bringing European settlers’ visions of energy, infrastructure, agriculture and other elements of economic development to life. Over time, we have come to understand the tremendous social and cultural costs of these approaches to many Indigenous communities. It is important for engineers and engineering students to tussle with this history and understand a better way forward for a future that includes everyone’s health & prosperity. This mural is visually striking and intellectually challenging. It is an important way to reach people and to display our commitment to Truth and Reconciliation and Engineering.”

Water is emphasized throughout the mural, starting with the hydro dam on the left, flowing on a background of bright turquoise to the center section, where a canoe takes center stage. The canoe is a great example of Indigenous engineering, where a fisherman is joined by a crow, bear and eagle. The crow is wearing an iron ring, which is a symbol of becoming an engineer. Valcourt explains that the crow is the lone wearer of the ring which brings to light the need for inclusion in the industry and that Indigenous People are underrepresented in engineering occupations.

The right side of the mural is about the future. It shows the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, which is being reclaimed by beavers building their own dam. Rebuilding their home on the land that was once theirs, at the fork in the rivers.

The theme of the mural, ‘Truth and Reconciliation and Engineering’ aligns with the UM Strategic Priority to advance commitments to anti-racism and Indigenous engagement and was supported by the Provost’s Strategic Initiatives Support Fund. This theme also aligns with the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action, which include Education and Business for Reconciliation, which has spurred reconciliation efforts in post-secondary engineering education and the engineering profession.

“No one will ever be too old to learn,” says the panelist at Extended Education’s recent Homecoming 2024 webinar.  

“Lifelong learning has become a way of life for me. There is a need for us to constantly improve ourselves. We need the education system to keep up. Extended Education has provided a flexible education system that was suitable for my stage and is suitable for all stages in life.”

The title of the webinar, Futures of education: equity, inclusion and lifelong learning, refers to the concept of the evolution of education created by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), says moderator, Ute Kothe, Dean, Extended Education. “Yes. There are many futures. Education is key to addressing the needs of our changing society. Our education systems must be ready to tackle the challenges of the future. And, at Extended Education, we want to empower all learners, to break down barriers. We start with equity and create inclusive spaces.”

A warm smile

Onyike is an accomplished professional with credentials from Nigeria and the United Kingdom. She remembers attending the orientation for her UM studies and shares her experience.

The challenge for an international student is to adapt to the diversity of people from all around the world, she says. “It can be overwhelming, but when staff greet you with the greatest smile you have ever seen, you know it is going to be okay. Continue the warm smile. That first impression matters. I felt assurance we were in good hands. Later, I wanted to be the one offering that warm smile.”

A holistic approach

Education is about personal and professional growth, says panelist Carlos Miranda García- Personal Counsellor, Access and Aboriginal Focus Programs. “A holistic approach explores different parts of who we are- in heart, mind, body, and spirit.” The Access Program includes Indigenous and newcomer students. “They have different identities and stories, yet parallels can be drawn from those stories. Holistic principles encourage us to see interconnectedness in all things. “When students connect to themselves and their communities, they can also see this interconnectedness.”

Creating wrap-around supports and understanding there are different pathways to healing are essential, he says. “Supports like counselling provide a scaffolding for students as they come into their journey.”

For example, he remembers a student who was struggling with the possibility of becoming homeless, and wrap-around supports were able to quickly help them through. Also, many students have their doubts, struggling with imposter syndrome, but holistic support can help them to realize this is where they belong, he says.

EDIA

Panelist Robin Attas, Project Lead, UM Equity Diversity Inclusion Accessibility (EDIA) micro-certificate and Foundations course says, “Learners are human beings. Learning happens not just in the classroom. And you can’t learn if you are hungry, experiencing homelessness, or facing racism. EDIA reminds everyone we all have a role to play and more to learn.”

It’s important for educators to continually learn and adapt to the needs of their students, Attas says. “Each learner is unique. As educators, we should always strive to be better, more equitable, more fair, more inclusive in our teaching.”

She adds, “The UM EDIA program emphasizes competency development including not just content but skills and habits of mind. This empowers and motivate learners, whether UM staff, students, or faculty, to take action towards educational futures that better serve society, building capacity at the University of Manitoba for doing this important work.”

Community

Panelist Vicki Hatt, Instructor, Academic Language Support, shares highlights of some of the work she does. “We invite the elder to orientation and encourage students to bring their culture with them to their studies. We look at academic integrity and building a sense of community. Our setting up for success workshop includes experiential learning with meditation and a desk stretch to help relax students.”

Diversity

And we are learning in a diverse world, says Onyike.

“In Canada, all sorts of people are in our classrooms. I love how diverse we all are- in appearance, perspective, culture. We need to offer a variety of learning approaches to meet diverse needs, to prepare us for a complex multicultural workplace. When we learn that mindset, we ease effortlessly into the workplace.”

Watch the webinar.

“Inequities cost us lost opportunities, and lost talent. Society loses out. We need everyone at the table, to solve the world’s challenges. We need a well-educated, diverse workforce, so businesses can get the best employees,” says Ute Kothe, Dean, Extended Education, moderator for University of Manitoba (UM) Extended Education’s UM Homecoming 2024 webinar, Futures of education: equity, inclusion, and lifelong learning. Registration is required to join the Sept. 16 event.

The webinar topic is inspired by a 2021 United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) report, Reimagining Our Futures Together: A new social contract for education. According to the report, “This new social contract is our chance to repair past injustices and transform the future. Above all, it is based on the right to quality education throughout life.”

Education is a human right, and everyone has a right to education, from children to older adults. “UNESCO proposes the right to education should include the right to lifelong education- the key mission of Extended Education,” says Kothe.

“The report looks at the evolution of education, and how education can help us to adjust to our rapidly changing world.”

Education for all

Everyone has the right to education, no matter who they are and where they come from. We must create inclusive education and learning where everybody feels welcome. Fully implementing equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility (EDIA) principles is crucial to the futures of education, or we will miss people and possibilities.”

Education isn’t what it used to be, and it should continue to be transformed to engage humanity so we can create better futures together.

“We in Extended Education want to inspire people for lifelong learning, so they can relate education to their work and everyday lives. And importantly, we all have to contribute to inclusive workspaces that allow everybody to participate and strive. Through inclusive education, we can learn how to achieve this goal.”

The webinar will discuss what it means to provide inclusive education, and showcase Extended Education’s approaches to providing it. The panelists will share their perspectives, and share practical approaches to creating inclusive learning environments.

EDIA

Robin Attas, project lead, EDIA credential, will discuss how the University of Manitoba is working towards an inclusive culture with our new equity, diversity, inclusion, accessibility (EDIA) micro-certificate and Foundations course for the UM community. It is focused on developing competencies (skills) rather than knowledge, and offered for students, staff and faculty. Perhaps there will be interest in developing an external version shortly.

Indigenous support

Carlos Miranda García, Personal Counsellor, Access and Aboriginal Focus Programs, will share how we engage the Indigenous community through our Access Program.  “We are mindful of past problems, of silenced voices and significant harm through residential schools. We have an obligation to make good. He will look beyond education to a holistic pedagogy of care, supporting mind, body and spirit, with Indigenous knowledge and support from our Grandfather (Unkan), Wanbdi Wakita.”

Intercultural teaching and learning

Vicki Hatt, instructor, Academic Language Support, and Applied Business Management graduate, Ogadimma Onyike will explore intercultural teaching and learning. “It’s important to embrace the value of diversity. Education had become more international through global challenges and immigration. Community and individual supports are key.”

Learn more about the Sept. 16 webinar and register now