A group of students enrolled in Multicultural & Indigenous (MIST) 1050: Introduction to Indigenous Thought was given a first-hand glimpse into local aboriginal history when they boarded a First Story Toronto bus tour recently.
The engaged learning opportunity was organized by Professor Maggie Quirt in the Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies (LA&PS), after she received a portion of a new funding program designed to support indigenous education.
The three-hour bus tour was funded through the Office of the Vice Provost Academic as part of York University's commitment to supporting Indigenous knowledge in the university curriculum. There have been several projects funded across all Faculties.
The First Story Toronto bus tour is “engaged in researching and preserving the Indigenous history of Toronto with the goal of building awareness of and pride in the long indigenous presence and contributions to the city.”
Leading the tour for the students was York U’s own Professor Jon Johnson (Department of Social Science), who has been involved with First Story Toronto since 2006. Alongside Johnson was fellow First Story tour guide Philip Cote, also of the Centre for Aboriginal Student Services (CASS) at York University. Full Story