Indigenous Content Requirement
Indigenous Content Curriculum Specialist
Joseph Duncan is a member of Muskrat Dam First Nation, located in Treaty No. 9 Territory within the Nishnawbe Aski Nation. From a young age, Joseph, a member of the Wolf Clan, was raised with traditional teachings, land-based knowledge, harvesting practices, and cultural values that continue to shape his Indigenous worldviews today.
After serving fourteen years as a police officer, Joseph returned to post-secondary education as a mature student to pursue two passions: Justice and the Land. He holds an Honours Bachelor’s Degree in Outdoor Recreation, Parks, and Tourism and a Master’s Degree in Social Justice from Lakehead University. His academic journey reflects his commitment to both Western education and Traditional Indigenous Knowledge (TIK) systems.
After graduation, Joseph quickly returned back to Lakehead University and taught Advanced Land Relations in the School of Outdoor Recreation, Parks, and Tourism. He integrated his Indigenous worldviews, land-based pedagogy, and traditional governance systems into his curriculum. His teaching approach focuses on the principles of Two-Eyed Seeing—honouring both Indigenous ways of knowing into the Western curriculum framework.
He currently participates on the board of an Indigenous-led organization, where he contributes to reshaping policies and procedures, drawing from his traditional knowledge and teachings, using the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action as a blueprint to revitalize Indigenous governance, language, and legal traditions.
Joseph has also worked with the Ontario Justice Education Network (OJEN), where he strengthened relationships between Indigenous Tribal councils and non-Indigenous institutions, co-developing cultural Justice workshops as educational tools for Indigenous youth.
As an Indigenous Curriculum Specialist, Joseph will work with all faculty to help integrate Indigenous perspectives and teaching approaches into their courses in a meaningful and delicate way. His goal is to create a safe and inclusive learning environment where reconciliation becomes a routine practice at Lakehead University with Indigenous and non-Indigenous students learning from one another, growing together, and engaging with the shared teachings of our Indigenous universal laws.
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FAQ’s about the Indigenous Content Requirement (ICR)
| 1. What is the Indigenous Content Requirement (ICR)? |
Lakehead University made a commitment in May 2014 that by the beginning of the 2016/17 academic year, all academic units will have calendared for all of their undergraduate degree programs, a degree requirement of at least one 0.5 Full Course Equivalent course containing at least 50% (equivalent to 18 hours) of Indigenous knowledge and/or Aboriginal content. |
| 2. Who made this decision on behalf of the University? |
The decision was made by Senate. Senate is the highest academic decision making body in the University with representation from all Academic departments, Student Affairs, the Aboriginal Governance Council, the Board of Governors, and the Lakehead University Student Union. |
| 3. Why was this decision taken? |
Extensive internal and external consultation, leading to the development of our Strategic (2013-18) and Academic Plans (2012-17), resulted in a recommendation that all students would benefit from the integration of program appropriate or discipline relevant knowledge about Indigenous Peoples in Canada. Other Universities and Colleges across the country have implemented or are examining how to enrich their curricula in similar ways. We are fortunate Lakehead has faculty and staff with a wealth of expertise in this area that will help us meet this goal. |
| 4. I’m currently a student. Does the ICR affect me? |
No. Only students who enter programs after Sept 2016 are affected by this decision. However, many programs already incorporate Indigenous knowledge or Aboriginal content as part of their curriculum and many Academic Units already deliver courses that include a minimum of 18 hours of Indigenous knowledge or Aboriginal content. |
| 5. Do I have to take a particular course? Is this a “one size fits all” decision? |
No. The ICR does NOT require that every student take exactly the same course. As noted above, some programs already meet the ICR with their current structure. All Academic Units have developed their own ways to include this curriculum in their programs. This includes courses directly embedded in the program or choosing electives from a range of courses available from different departments addressing many areas of academic interest. |
| 6. Do I have to take an EXTRA course? |
No. The Indigenous content requirement can be met in many different ways and the Chair/Director of each Academic Unit is working to ensure it is embedded seamlessly in each program. |
| 7. Do I have to pay anything EXTRA? |
No. As part of the normal program requirements, there are no additional cost. |
| 8. Ok, I understand I don’t have to fulfil this requirement now but what if I want to take a course that meets this objective? |
Speak to your Chair/Director about course options that will fit into your program or check with the Office of Indigenous Initiatives for more information. |