Local Indigenous perspectives and partnerships: Enhancing work-integrated learning

Work-integrated learning (WIL) is a flourishing, global, educational phenomenon that is changing the field of higher education. Through WIL, relevant, meaningful connections to work are made throughout the curriculum that lead to enhanced graduate employability. While scholarship grows across diverse areas of WIL, one important domain that remains relatively under researched is that of Indigenous work-integrated learning (WIL). This paper launches a Special Issue in IJWIL to cultivate knowledge and practice of Indigenous WIL. It proposes a definition and design principles for those embarking on Indigenous WIL opportunities. The paper introduces twelve studies that offer insight and perspectives of Indigenous community, language and culture in a variety of contexts across Australia, New Zealand and Canada. While not every Indigenous nation, nor peoples have been represented in this Special Issue, this collection of dynamic and diverse locations and perspectives aims to ignite a global conversation. To inaugurate the special issue, the authors share an Acknowledgement of Country and statement of place, inviting others to follow in these footsteps in future research and publications of Indigenous WIL.