IAESC VALUE | RECIPROCITY
Share collective wisdom that builds capacity and mobilizes Indigenous knowledge, cultures and languages.
Our logo
Rocks are our Grandfathers, they have held our teachings since time immemorial.
Rocks represent the integrity of Indigenous languages, cultures and knowledge. Rocks are resilient, forged by the elements and shaped by the environment over generations.
For these reasons, the Indigenous Advanced Education & Skills Council has chosen the Rock as the primary element in its corporate logo. The colours – reds and browns – reflect the earth and minerals that develop the rock’s character, strength and diversity.
The Rock also represents the strength of the communities and partners forming the foundation and future of Indigenous post-secondary education and training. The quality assurance standards established by the Council, signified by the rock’s layers, support students at Indigenous Institutes in their communities. Asymmetrical and varied layers are also similar to the many different approaches to education and multiple relationships that bond to support the journey of life-long learning.
Inside IAESC
IAESC is a quality assurance organization
IAESC is an Indigenous-controlled and governed Council, recognized under the Indigenous Institutes Act, 2017 and tasked with establishing quality assurance standards and benchmarks for programs delivered by the Indigenous Institutes pillar.
The Council uses a quality assurance process steered by its Indigenous Institutes Quality Assessment Board (IIQAB). Through a Memorandum of Understanding signed in August 2018, the World Indigenous Nations Higher Education Consortium (WINHEC) is providing IAESC reference to its foundational accreditation process and access to its expertise.
The founding members of the Council include the late Delbert Horton, Pamela Toulouse, PhD, Bob Watts and Chair and Executive Director, Laurie Robinson.
IIQAB members include Kali Storm, Laura Horton and T’hohahoken Michael Doxtator, PhD.
IAESC is a Not-for-profit corporation, pursuant to the Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act, 2009.
The Indigenous Institutes Act, 2017
The Indigenous Institutes Act, 2017 received royal assent on December 14, 2017.
This legislation recognizes Indigenous Institutes as a unique and complementary pillar of Ontario’s post-secondary education and training system; and an Indigenous controlled and governed Council.
On April 13, 2018, Ontario Regulation 239/18 recognized IAESC as the Council and nine Indigenous Institutes for the purposes of the Act.
As the Council recognized in regulation, IAESC may:
- Approve Indigenous Institutes to grant diplomas, certificates and degrees;
- Establish a quality assessment board and quality assurance standards;
- Make recommendations to the Ontario government regarding which Indigenous Institutes should be included to receive operating funding; and,
- Approve Indigenous Institutes to use the term “university.”