Carleton University has given Adjunct Professor Jim Mountain a 2024 Contract Instructor Teaching Award. The $2,000 award recognizes teaching excellence by contract instructors at Carleton. 

Citation: James’ ongoing interests in teaching students can best be described as experiential learning in research and engagement practices. His focus is on identifying positive initiatives for energizing, empowering, activating downtowns, neighbourhoods, rural and Indigenous communities who are facing economic, social, cultural, and environmental challenges. He connects students with real-life conservation and adaptive repurposing initiatives for places that may involve healing from histories of racial exclusion, trauma, and colonialism. Students learn first-hand that the concept of reconciliation as defined and managed by Indigenous communities can be fostered through taking positive action.

Since 2019, he, along with students and other faculty, has worked with the Muskowekwan First Nation. Here is the story of ASAU’s involvement.