Preparing Engineering Students for their Professional Obligations for Meaningful Engagement with Indigenous Communities in Canada

Abstract

Following the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and other guiding documents, engineering schools in Canada have begun the work of Indigenous reconciliation by helping students develop competencies relevant to engineering study, research, and practice. In our School, a curricular project has been implemented in the undergraduate program: a key element is the Indigenous Community Consultation Project (ICCP) delivered through a required communication course. Through a case study approach, students learn intercultural communication skills in the specific context of preparing to work with Indigenous communities in Canada. In developing and delivering the ICCP, course instructors are also empowered to take part in relevant professional development initiatives and to grow their pedagogical practices. We are now studying the impact of the ICCP on students’ learning and plan to share results in future publications.