ONCAT Grant Boosts Indigenous Education Through Land-Based Learning

Shingwauk Kinoomaage Gamig has received an ONCAT Capacity Grant of $80,000 from the Ontario Council on Articulation and Transfer to advance a project aimed at enhancing educational opportunities for Indigenous students. The initiative, titled Creating Transferable Land-Based Learning Modules, seeks to establish a framework that allows credit-bearing land-based learning to be formally recognized and transferred among Ontario’s post-secondary institutions.

The importance of land-based learning in Indigenous pedagogies cannot be overstated. According to Shingwauk Kinoomaage Gamig, this type of education has historically faced barriers in being acknowledged within existing credit transfer systems. The new project is designed to address this issue by developing practical tools and templates that support the formal recognition of Indigenous-led experiential learning as academic credit.

Improving Access to Higher Education

“This work centres Indigenous Knowledge systems within higher education while meeting academic standards that support increased learner access and mobility,” stated Mary Wabano-McKay, President and Chief Academic Officer at Shingwauk Kinoomaage Gamig. The initiative aims to facilitate smoother transitions for students moving between programs and institutions, thereby creating more flexible and accessible pathways through higher education.

The grant will also strengthen assessment frameworks and shared recognition practices, which are essential for reducing barriers faced by Indigenous learners. “The ONCAT Capacity Grant enables us to build on the strength of Indigenous-led land-based learning by creating clear, shared approaches that support its recognition and transfer across institutions,” explained Dallas Abitong, Director of Indigenous Knowledge, Pedagogy and Elder Services at Shingwauk Kinoomaage Gamig.

This investment not only benefits learners but also reinforces the value and rigor of Indigenous experiential learning within Ontario’s post-secondary system.

Government Support and Future Prospects

The announcement regarding the ONCAT-funded projects was made during the opening program of the 2026 ONCAT Conference, an event aimed at improving learner mobility in Ontario. The announcement was presented by Nolan Quinn, the Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security, who emphasized the government’s commitment to enhancing educational pathways.

ONCAT focuses on initiatives that improve learner mobility by strengthening credit transfer and recognition of learning. Funded by the Government of Ontario, the organization collaborates with colleges, universities, and Indigenous Institutes to streamline the post-secondary education system for students.

The funding for Creating Transferable Land-Based Learning Modules represents a significant step towards improving accessibility and recognition of Indigenous educational practices, thereby enriching the academic landscape in Ontario. As this project unfolds, it promises to create a more inclusive environment for all learners, particularly those from Indigenous backgrounds, making higher education a more attainable goal.