The International Indigenous RPL Collective: www.theindigenouscollective.org Paul Zakos-Chair Steering Committee

Paul Zakos-Chair Steering Committee RPL Definition Paul Zakos-Chair Steering Committee

Paul Zakos-Chair Steering Committee FOUNDING PRINCIPLES UNITED NATIONS DECLARATION ON THE RIGHTS OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES Paul Zakos-Chair Steering Committee

UNITED NATIONS DECLARATION ON THE RIGHTS OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES Article 13: Indigenous peoples have the right to revitalize, use, develop and transmit to future generations their histories, languages, oral traditions, philosophies, writing systems and literatures and to designate and retain their own names for communities, places and persons… States shall take effective measures to ensure that this right is protected. Paul Zakos-Chair Steering Committee

UNITED NATIONS DECLARATION ON THE RIGHTS OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES Article 14: Indigenous peoples have the right to establish and control their educational systems and institutions providing education in their own languages, in a manner appropriate to their cultural methods of teaching and learning… States shall in conjunction with Indigenous peoples, take effective measures, in order for Indigenous individuals to have an education in their own culture and provided in their own language. Paul Zakos-Chair Steering Committee

Paul Zakos-Chair Steering Committee The Collective Members Mohawk Ojibway Mapuche Diaguita Anishinabe Gitxsan Tutchone Inuit Cree Paul Zakos-Chair Steering Committee

Paul Zakos-Chair Steering Committee VISION The International Indigenous RPL Collective recognizes values and gives vision (voice) and legitimacy to Indigenous languages, cultures and ways of knowing. It is inclusive, reflecting the needs, values and wishes of diverse peoples. It nurtures and strengthens their desire to assume their rightful places as full partners in the societies in which they live. The Collective believes that culturally respectful approaches to learning enable Indigenous peoples to make informed choices related to improving their quality of life, standard of living and taking charge of their own destiny. Paul Zakos-Chair Steering Committee

Paul Zakos-Chair Steering Committee MISSION Working toward the creation of Indigenous controlled institutions of higher learning, the Collective aims to influence key policy decisions related to education and learning initiatives of governments and educational systems. It advocates for formal recognition of Indigenous ways of knowing which support and respect traditional knowledge, strengthen language, culture and self-determination. It works co-operatively with its members and key stakeholders, from public and private sector, to create institutions and practices which respect the validity and credibility of Indigenous knowledge, cultural teachings and languages. Standards and methods of assessment are developed and articulated by recognizing knowledge keepers from within the Collective. Paul Zakos-Chair Steering Committee

Paul Zakos-Chair Steering Committee OBJECTIVes I The International Indigenous RPLC promotes culturally-based recognition of prior learning and adult learning practices which: 1. enhance, safeguard and validate Indigenous languages, cultures and ways of knowing. 2. identify community strengths, resources, needs. 3. support collaborative approaches enabling collective consciousness-raising and social action 4. strengthen self-confidence, self-reliance and community capacity for self-determination. Paul Zakos-Chair Steering Committee

Paul Zakos-Chair Steering Committee OBJECTIVeS II 5. promote Indigenous nations and groups as full partners in educational policy, planning, delivery and evaluation. 6. create international Indigenous benchmarks of best practice for RPL within an integrated framework of culturally respectful adult learning principles, practices. 7. support co-operative approaches to culturally-based wholistic learning. 8. disseminate best practices and discover new practices. 9. host regular gatherings of members and other interested stakeholder groups, organizations and individuals. Paul Zakos-Chair Steering Committee

Accomplishments & Actions A. Accomplishments 1. Creation of a website (http://www.theindigenouscollective.org) Introduce vision, mission, objectives of Collective Information about its work Reaching out to all Indigenous cultures Reducing barriers, increasing supports for culturally-based, respectful educational programs 6 Annual International Symposia in Chile: 7th Annual October 2016 2. Developed draft institutional self-evaluation tool for use by educational institutions, governments to ensure programs, courses are based on Indigenous cultures and languages Paul Zakos-Chair Steering Committee

Accomplishments & Actions B. Actions 1. Future Activities Identify sources of funding to sustain and strengthen Collective. 2. Membership Criteria, reach out to Indigenous individuals, groups, organizations who support the vision, mission of Collective and invite their participation, collaboration. 3. Establish an Annual Conference ? Paul Zakos-Chair Steering Committee