UWinnipeg approves mandatory indigenous course requirement

Going forward, students at the University of Winnipeg will have to take at least one indigenous studies course in order to graduate.

• UWinnipeg students' union calls for mandatory indigenous course

The U of W senate approved, in principle,a motion on Thursday that will require all students take a course focused on therights,traditions, history,governance or other facets of indigenous culture.

We are very proud of the vision and leadership demonstrated by our students, Annette Trimbee, president and vice-chancellor of U of W, said in a release.

We have taken an important step on the path to a better, more understanding, and inclusive society. The University of Winnipeg is proud to be a catalyst for positive change.

Wab Kinew, associate vice-president of Indigenous Affairs at the U of W, echoed Trimbee.

Today is a good day for The University of Winnipeg as well as for the broader community: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada,"Kinew said in a release.

The University of Winnipeg is a leader in indigenous inclusion and we are excited about the positive impact todays development will have on the upcoming generation of leaders and citizens.

The announcement comes just over a month after the U of W Students' Union and the U of W Aboriginal Students' Council called on university administration to make taking indigenous studies courses mandatory.