What makes our programs Aboriginal?
As Aboriginal people working with and for Aboriginal people, we honour:
- The “highest thought” that perpetuates a respectful, spiritual and wholesome life for the individual and their community
- Our traditions of storytelling, narrative and oral history
- Our ancestors, our culture and our deep connections to the land
- Our Aboriginal ways of knowing, being and doing, using a learner-directed approach, in a cooperative and mutually supportive environment
About Us
Turtle Island Indigenous Education Corporation is a First Nations entity
Our Mission
To develop and deliver innovative, culturally relevant educational products with Aboriginal people and communities
Our Vision
To further develop the social and economic potential of Aboriginal people and communities
Our Goal
To support the development of paths to intercultural, lifelong learning
M. Morning Star Doherty - President
Proud member of Cowessess First Nation, Saskatchewan and Irish-Australian ancestry, born in Vancouver and educated in the San Francisco Bay Area, and Australia. Experienced business owner and operator (design studio/retail outlet and public relations consultancy), Michelle's personal vision and drive is to alleviate poverty of the mind, body, spirit and emotions through practical education initiatives that benefit the Original People in what is known today as Canada, United States, Australia, New Zealand, Central and South America, Africa and the Philippines. She is honoured to be a recipient of a Business Development Program grant from Cowessess First Nation’s Treaty Land Entitlement Trust to further develop and deliver accessible Online Learning programs and courses with and for Indigenous people.
Sylvia Schmidt - CEO
Sylvia Schmidt is a collaborative innovator with a master’s degree in the communications field and more than seventeen years of intercultural experience in organizing, marketing, strategic planning, training, policy and product development in business, government and nonprofit settings. As CEO of Turtle Island Indigenous Education, she collaborates with clients to strengthen innovative performance of individuals, teams and organizations working in diverse environments. Competition for highly trained, culturally diverse workers and rapid growth in cultural diversity in Canada presents clear needs for training, development and mentoring. Through Turtle Island Indigenous Education, Sylvia Schmidt is actively involved in curriculum design and teaching/learning in Aboriginal Small Business Development.
Turtle Island Indigenous Education works with First Nations Education, Employment and Training Managers in the delivery of our programs and courses.
We collaborate with First Nations who wish to place their own materials onto our secure yet accessible learning platform, or on their own site.
We also work with public and private corporations in the development and delivery of tailored programs and courses.
The Turtle Island Indigenous Education website (www.turtleislandeducate.com) and its online education website (moodle.turtleislandeducate.com) were designed and developed by Tekal Studios, a web development studio based out of Vancouver, BC. All content and materials are currently being maintained by the Turtle Island Indigenous Education Corporation.