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Curriculum Development Fund

A faculty member in discussion with two students

Led by the Indigenous Education Council (IEC), the Curriculum Development Fund is available to faculties and departments across Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) who are interested in developing and embedding Indigenous content within their curriculum. 

This work is based on the collective desire to increase:

  • Indigenous content, knowledges and experiences into curriculum.
  • Research that involves First Nations, Inuit and Métis faculty and students. 
  • Research on Indigenous topics.
  • Awareness and understanding of Indigenous-settler relations among all Indigenous and non-Indigenous students, faculty and staff.
  • Elective and mandatory course offerings that focus on content including the history of colonization, Indigenous worldviews, Indigenous content.
  • Professional development opportunities for faculty so that they can develop this content.

Call for Indigenous* curriculum proposals 2024-25

All programs, faculties and schools, or any individual faculty members, are invited to submit proposals related to curriculum development.  

*On this web page, “Indigenous” refers to members of First Nations (status and non-status), Inuit and Métis Peoples of Canada.

IEC curriculum development infusion model 

The Indigenous Education Council will assist all interested programs, faculties, and schools at Toronto Metropolitan University to integrate Indigenous content and perspectives throughout their curriculum using an infusion model in order to best serve Indigenous students and the entire TMU community. The IEC is open to supporting the development of new courses and the development of new material for existing courses.  

Suggested models for Indigenous curriculum development

  • Development of new courses, both electives and required, which focus on Indigenous content. 
  • Professional development for faculty on Indigenous content and pedagogy.
  • Evaluation of overall current curriculum and pedagogy with a commitment to infuse Indigenous content. 

Requirements

  1. Attend an IEC information session. 
  2. Attend monthly circles with Rebirthed Teachings - Community Learning Circles for ongoing support and collaboration. 
  3. The project must be supported by Indigenous research assistants, Indigenous consultants, Indigenous community collaborators and/or Indigenous faculty.
  4. Report on activities and spending to the Indigenous Education Council upon project completion (see reporting template).

Work on the Indigenous Curriculum Development project shall be completed on or before March 15, 2025. Spending must follow Toronto Metropolitan University policy: all expense receipts must be retained and submitted to the university via the Indigenous Education Council Administrative Coordinator upon completion of the project and no later than March 15, 2025. In addition, any unspent funds and/or in-eligible expenditures must be reimbursed to the university. Upon completion of the project, the recipient shall submit a final report to the sponsor (IEC) via the Administrative Coordinator, on March 25, 2025 describing the project's results. Failure to comply with reporting deadlines may result in removal from any future project considerations. 

Funding guidelines

  1. Total maximum project budget of $5,000
  2. Recommended honorarium for Traditional Practitioners (ex. Elder, Knowledge Keeper, Spiritual Advisor, etc.)
    1. $250 half day minimum
    2. $500 full day minimum
    3. Provide rationalization for additional funding
  3. Indigenous research assistants
  4. Ensure appropriate honorariums/compensation for all Indigenous community partners and Indigenous consultants

Areas to include in the proposal

  1. Brief description of the program, faculty or school requesting funds
  2. Explanation of how Indigenous content will be embedded throughout the program, faculty or school 
  3. Description of proposed course or other approach
  4. Description of Indigenous partner(s) and relationships that will inform your project
  5. Budget detailing how funds will be used 
  6. Contact information
  7. Timelines

Submission deadline and requirements

The call for proposals for 2024-25 are now closed. 

Questions?

If you have further questions or require information on models/approaches for curriculum development or technical aspects of the proposal, please email Cher Trudeau, administrative coordinator, Indigenous Education Council at cktrudeau@torontomu.ca.

Past projects

To date, the IEC has supported curriculum development on Indigenous content in many schools and departments including:

  • School of Journalism
  • School of Social Work
  • School of Nutrition
  • School of Midwifery
  • School of Child and Youth Studies
  • School of Early Childhood Education

In addition, the IEC has helped to support educational events for:

  • School of Social Work
  • Office of the Vice-President, Equity, and Community Inclusion
  • Department of Politics and Public Administration
  • Student Affairs 
  • School of Journalism 
  • School of Fashion

The IEC was also instrumental in the content design and application to the university Senate for approval of the Chang School of Continuing Education’s Certificate in Indigenous Knowledges and Experiences released in 2014. As well, the IEC and the Chang School have partnered to run the program, Indigenous Foundations, which is designed for Indigenous community members who seek to broaden their opportunities towards academic success.

Get in touch

If you would like to contact the Indigenous Education Council, we invite you to contact Cher Trudeau, administrative coordinator, Indigenous Education Council and Indigenous Initiatives, Office of the Vice-President, Equity and Community Inclusion) at cktrudeau@torontomu.ca.