Tecumseh Centre for Aboriginal Research and Education

Aboriginal Education Council

To find out more about the spectrum of components comprising Aboriginal education and research across campus, visit the Brock University Aboriginal Education Council (AEC).

History and vision

During the meeting of February 13, 2004 the Aboriginal Education Council (AEC) at Brock passed a motion to support the creation of Tecumseh Centre for Aboriginal Research and Education (the Centre) and referred the proposal to the Council of Academic Deans.

In February of 2004 the Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma, who are the descendants of Chief Tecumseh, unanimously passed Resolution No. 2004-03-009 which endorsed Brock University’s request to name the proposed centre the Tecumseh Centre for Aboriginal Research and Education.

The Centre was approved by Brock University Senate in the fall of 2004 to the cheers and applause of a small crowd of Aboriginal students and community members.

Aboriginal people are experiencing a revolution of consciousness, a revolution of knowing were the excesses and failures of the colonial project are connected to contemporary realities. This revolution does not represent a series of small incremental steps but is a massive, sweeping expansion of consciousness that leads to the enterprise, intellectual property; methodologies that are grounded in culture as well as meaningful community involvement are understood to be critical to that end. This revolution of consciousness has not been an isolated reality within the Aboriginal community alone.

After a year of extensive consultation involving the Aboriginal community the Social Science and Humanities Research Council recently adopted a new strategic theme that signals a significant paradigm shift in relation to Aboriginal research. The underlying motive of this shift is best capture in the thrust of the associated discussion paper: more research by and with Aboriginal peoples-not more research on or for Aboriginal peoples. This new direction will be actuated through various administrative measures and new programming designed to strengthen Aboriginal research across the Tri-Council which will in turn significantly change the research culture in Canada to better reflect Aboriginal cultural norms and address contemporary needs. Universities that align their research enterprise with this new paradigm will play a key role in the early unfolding of this new paradigm.

The Centre is the place where growing numbers of Aboriginal undergraduate and graduate scholars create inter-supportive networks, seek out support and training as they envision their research, their place in the struggle to promote healthy communities. It is the place where Aboriginal community and University researchers from many disciplines, guided by Aboriginal peoples, offer their expertise to our communities, and through that experience build a deeper understanding for the needs of Aboriginal communities. It is the place where the idea of research is demystified and connected to educational programming and the potential for change is trans-planted into community. It is the place where Aboriginal theory is discussed, crafted, and enacted for the benefit of our communities. The Tecumseh Centre is a place of being, becoming, and a place of convergence.

Important update for graduates of the NTEP program

Graduates of the former Native Teacher Education Program (NTEP) program have until September 15, 2020, to convert their Certificate in Education to a Bachelor of Education if they have since completed a bachelor’s degree at an accredited post-secondary institution.

All requests must be made via the my.brocku.ca student portal. Please go to your Student Self-Serve to log in using your Campus ID and password. Once you are logged in to your my.brocku.ca student portal, click on the Student Forms and Service Requests tab and submit your request via the Forms&Services link.  The request is called NTEP Diploma Transfer and costs $50 for assessment and diploma printing and mailing. If you have never set up your Student Self-Serve portal, please click on the ‘Applicant, New, Returning Student or Alumni’ link. If you do not remember your Student ID Number, please contact the Office of the Registrar at 905 688 5550 x3099. Our Academic Records unit is happy to assist.

If you have any questions, please contact Sarah Mcgean on 905 688 5550 x3530 or sarah.mcgean@brocku.ca.