King's joins Brescia and Huron to hire Indigenous Initiatives Coordinator

King’s has joined with Brescia and Huron University Colleges to hire Sean Hoogterp in a new role as Indigenous Initiatives Coordinator. As a status band member of Walpole Island First Nation, Bkejwanong Territory, Hoogterp will work across the three campuses of Huron, Brescia and King’s. He will not only create welcoming environments for Indigenous students, employees and visitors at the three university colleges; he will also help develop strategies to decolonize and indigenize the curricula. As well, Hoogterp will help to build stronger relationships between Huron, Brescia, King’s and the external Indigenous communities.

Hoogterp brings two decades of experience working in post-secondary administration including Indigenous accessibility roles at Lambton College in Sarnia; Brock University in St. Catharine’s; as well as holding the position of Learning Resource Specialist Project Coordinator for Indigenous Services at Western University. As well, he worked at the Walpole Island Heritage Centre in communications and community relations.

“My name is Sean Hoogterp and I am from Walpole Island First Nation ‘Bkejwanong’ Territory.  My great grandfather, the Reverend Simpson A. Brigham, was born in 1875. He was the first Indigenous person from Walpole Island to graduate from Huron College and be ordained an Anglican minister. He would return to Walpole Island in 1899 to minister to the local Anglican Parish. As the coordinator of Indigenous Initiatives, I am proud to represent my community and ancestors to help understand our histories with the institution and strengthen our future relationships. Miigwetch,” Hoogterp says, as a way of introduction.

He started his new role on February 22, 2022, and work with the three academic deans of Huron, Brescia and King’s. Part of his work will be to facilitate and report on deliverables that reflect the institutional commitments to Indigenous pedagogy, spaces, curricula, learning resources, and student success.

“I am grateful Sean has decided to join us as we embark on the work of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. As faith-based post-secondary institutions, we have a responsibility to develop relationships with local Indigenous communities, create inclusive spaces, and decolonize our curriculum practices. We are looking forward to the work that Sean will do with the King’s community, including organizing events for shared learning with staff, faculty, and students,” says Gillian Balfour, Vice-President and Academic Dean.