Indigenous Initiatives / en In photos: U of T marks opening of Indigenous landscape project at Hart House Green /news/photos-u-t-marks-opening-indigenous-landscape-project-hart-house-green <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">In photos: U of T marks opening of Indigenous landscape project at Hart House Green</span> <div class="field field--name-field-featured-picture field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="eager" srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/2024-09/2024-09-23-Ziibiing-Opening-Celebration_Polina-Teif-38-crop.jpg?h=81d682ee&amp;itok=s9Cv19sw 370w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_740/public/2024-09/2024-09-23-Ziibiing-Opening-Celebration_Polina-Teif-38-crop.jpg?h=81d682ee&amp;itok=7aVEI_um 740w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_1110/public/2024-09/2024-09-23-Ziibiing-Opening-Celebration_Polina-Teif-38-crop.jpg?h=81d682ee&amp;itok=rDz-AIaG 1110w" sizes="(min-width:1200px) 1110px, (max-width: 1199px) 80vw, (max-width: 767px) 90vw, (max-width: 575px) 95vw" width="740" height="494" src="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/2024-09/2024-09-23-Ziibiing-Opening-Celebration_Polina-Teif-38-crop.jpg?h=81d682ee&amp;itok=s9Cv19sw" alt="&quot;&quot;"> </div> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span>rahul.kalvapalle</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2024-09-27T09:34:50-04:00" title="Friday, September 27, 2024 - 09:34" class="datetime">Fri, 09/27/2024 - 09:34</time> </span> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-cutline-long field--type-text-long field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Cutline</div> <div class="field__item"><p><i>The pathway that extends along the east side of Ziibiing follows the trail of Taddle Creek, a buried stream running under the St. George campus that once served as a gathering place for Indigenous Peoples (photo by Polina Teif)</i></p> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-author-reporters field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/authors-reporters/rahul-kalvapalle" hreflang="en">Rahul Kalvapalle</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-topic field--type-entity-reference field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Topic</div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/topics/our-community" hreflang="en">Our Community</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-story-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/ziibiing" hreflang="en">Ziibiing</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/indigenous-initiatives" hreflang="en">Indigenous Initiatives</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/kelly-hannah-moffat" hreflang="en">Kelly Hannah-Moffat</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/scott-mabury" hreflang="en">Scott Mabury</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/first-nations-house" hreflang="en">First Nations House</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/hart-house" hreflang="en">Hart House</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/indigenous" hreflang="en">Indigenous</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/john-h-daniels-faculty-architecture" hreflang="en">John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/landmark" hreflang="en">Landmark</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/truth-and-reconciliation" hreflang="en">Truth and Reconciliation</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-subheadline field--type-string-long field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Subheadline</div> <div class="field__item">The Ziibiing space includes a central pavilion, amphitheatre and plantings of medicinal trees and shrubs</div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>The Ƶ commemorated the official opening of&nbsp;<a href="https://indigenous.utoronto.ca/ziibiing/">Ziibiing</a>, an Indigenous landscape project that uses architecture, horticulture and storytelling to honour Indigenous cultures and provide a space for community members to gather, learn and host ceremonies on the St. George campus.</p> <p>The opening celebration for Ziibiing, held Monday Sept. 23, included a traditional Elder’s opening, a welcome song and the burning of a sacred fire – the first fire to be lit in Ziibiing’s pavilion and <a href="http://people.utoronto.ca/culture/indigenous-community/indigenous-ceremonial-practices/">one of&nbsp;several Indigenous ceremonial practices that are welcome on all three U of T campuses</a>.</p> <p>Here’s how the event unfolded through the lens of U of T photographers:</p> <hr> <figure role="group" class="caption caption-drupal-media align-center"> <div> <div class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/scale_image_750_width_/public/2024-09/2024-09-23-Ziibiing-Opening-Celebration_Polina-Teif-5-crop.jpg?itok=SgdMaqqf" width="750" height="500" alt="&quot;&quot;" class="image-style-scale-image-750-width-"> </div> </div> <figcaption><em>(photo by Polina Teif)</em></figcaption> </figure> <p><strong>Michael White</strong>, director of&nbsp;<a href="https://studentlife.utoronto.ca/department/first-nations-house/">First Nations House</a>, tends to the sacred fire in the Ziibiing pavilion as&nbsp;<strong>Jenny Blackbird</strong>, resource centre and programs co-ordinator at First Nations House, looks on.&nbsp;</p> <p>Ceremonial fires, smudging and pipe ceremonies are among the important Indigenous practices that take place on U of T’s three campuses.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <figure role="group" class="caption caption-drupal-media align-center"> <div> <div class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/scale_image_750_width_/public/2024-09/2024-09-23-Ziibiing-Opening-Celebration_Polina-Teif-9-crop.jpg?itok=hE-G6Hrw" width="750" height="500" alt="&quot;&quot;" class="image-style-scale-image-750-width-"> </div> </div> <figcaption><em>(photo by Polina Teif)</em></figcaption> </figure> <p>Blackbird&nbsp;performs a traditional song to welcome U of T community members to the celebration.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <figure role="group" class="caption caption-drupal-media align-center"> <div> <div class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/scale_image_750_width_/public/2024-09/2024-09-23-Ziibiing-Opening-Celebration_Polina-Teif-30-crop.jpg?itok=hhBMbXan" width="750" height="500" alt="&quot;&quot;" class="image-style-scale-image-750-width-"> </div> </div> <figcaption><em>(photo by Polina Teif)</em></figcaption> </figure> <p>The vision for Ziibiing was developed by an Indigenous Advisory Committee in collaboration with the&nbsp;<a href="https://brookmcilroy.com/projects/service/indigenous-design-studio/">Indigenous Design Studio</a>&nbsp;at Brook McIlroy, who in turn consulted with Indigenous students, faculty, staff, the&nbsp;<a href="https://indigenous.utoronto.ca/about/knowledge-keepers-faculty/#:~:text=Council%20of%20Indigenous%20Initiatives%20Elders%E2%80%99%20Circle">Council of Indigenous Initiatives Elders' Circle</a>&nbsp;and representatives of local First Nations.</p> <p>The project was born out of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.provost.utoronto.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/155/2018/05/Final-Report-TRC.pdf">Answering the Call: Wecheehetowin</a>, the final report of the Steering Committee for the Ƶ Response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, which outlined the need for dedicated Indigenous spaces on campus.</p> <figure role="group" class="caption caption-drupal-media align-center"> <div> <div class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/scale_image_750_width_/public/2024-09/bird-simpson.jpg?itok=gglKRR4o" width="750" height="500" alt="&quot;&quot;" class="image-style-scale-image-750-width-"> </div> </div> <figcaption><em>From left: James Bird and Shannon Simpson (photos by Polina Teif)(photo by Polina Teif)</em></figcaption> </figure> <p>Several members of the U of T community spoke at the event.</p> <p>“Our voices, traditions and histories are woven into the fabric of this new landscape, sending a clear signal that we are seen, that we matter and that we belong,” said&nbsp;<strong>Shannon Simpson</strong>, senior director of the&nbsp;<a href="https://indigenous.utoronto.ca/">Office of Indigenous Initiatives</a>&nbsp;and a member of the Mississaugas of Alderville First Nation, in her remarks at the ceremony.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <figure role="group" class="caption caption-drupal-media align-center"> <div> <div class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/scale_image_750_width_/public/2024-09/2024-09-23-Ziibiing-Opening-Celebration_Polina-Teif-22-crop.jpg?itok=tZF6lUh7" width="750" height="500" alt="&quot;&quot;" class="image-style-scale-image-750-width-"> </div> </div> <figcaption><em>(photo by Polina Teif)</em></figcaption> </figure> <p>Ziibiing is named for the Anishinaabemowin word for “river,” a reference to the Taddle Creek waterway that once flowed through the area and served as a gathering place for Indigenous Peoples.&nbsp;</p> <p>It’s an example of how Indigenous design and Western architectural disciplines can come together to assist in placemaking, according to<strong>&nbsp;James Bird</strong>, a Knowledge Keeper from the Nehiyawak and Dene Nation and PhD candidate in the John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design.</p> <p>“In the practice of architecture, there are ways one can approach the creation of space and its activation through design," said Bird. “This alternative viewpoint assigns agency to the metaphysical aspects that exist within Indigenous cultures and in turn allows metaphysical relationships to be made into physical form.”</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <figure role="group" class="caption caption-drupal-media align-center"> <div> <div class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/scale_image_750_width_/public/2024-09/2024-09-23-Ziibiing-Opening-Celebration_Polina-Teif-6-crop.jpg?itok=GES4Ryl_" width="750" height="500" alt="&quot;&quot;" class="image-style-scale-image-750-width-"> </div> </div> <figcaption><em>(photo by Polina Teif)</em></figcaption> </figure> <p>In her remarks to the event’s attendees,&nbsp;<strong>Kelly Hannah-Moffa</strong>t,&nbsp;U of T’s vice-president, people strategy, equity and culture, said that, in addition to serving a vital role as a teaching and ceremonial space for Indigenous students, employees and Elders, Ziibiing will encourage the entire U of T community to “find innovative ways to Indigenize this institution.”&nbsp;</p> <p>She noted the space has already&nbsp;hosted a recent <a href="https://people.utoronto.ca/news/using-land-based-learning-to-explore-indigenous-histories-and-world-views-at-ziibiing/">land-based learning workshop</a>&nbsp;that invited members of the U of T community to deepen their understanding of Indigenous world views, teachings and connections to the land. The workshop was organized by the Office of Indigenous Initiatives, with future sessions scheduled for&nbsp;<a href="https://folio.utoronto.ca/students/events/detail/4623222">Oct. 22</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://folio.utoronto.ca/students/events/detail/4623226">Nov. 19</a>.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <figure role="group" class="caption caption-drupal-media align-center"> <div> <div class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/scale_image_750_width_/public/2024-09/2024-09-23-Ziibiing-Opening-Celebration_Polina-Teif-2-crop.jpg?itok=rcXy253u" width="750" height="500" alt="&quot;&quot;" class="image-style-scale-image-750-width-"> </div> </div> <figcaption><em>(photo by Polina Teif)</em></figcaption> </figure> <p>The Ziibiing pavilion is supported by 13 columns that symbolize the 13 moons of the year. They circle a fire pit where ceremonial fires may be lit and maintained by Indigenous firekeepers.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <figure role="group" class="caption caption-drupal-media align-center"> <div> <div class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/scale_image_750_width_/public/2024-09/DJI_20240920084244_0046_D.jpg?itok=R77oZFMx" width="750" height="422" alt="&quot;&quot;" class="image-style-scale-image-750-width-"> </div> </div> <figcaption><em>(photo by David Lee)</em></figcaption> </figure> <p>The creation of Ziibiing took place alongside the&nbsp;<a href="https://landmark.utoronto.ca/">Landmark Project</a>, which aimed to revitalize the historic core of the St. George campus.</p> <p><strong>Scott Mabury</strong>, U of T’s vice-president, operations and real estate partnerships, said U of T community members have already embraced Ziibiing, as well as the other new spaces, as evidenced by their increased use of the reimagined landscapes.</p> <p>“We didn’t know what we didn’t have before,” he said.&nbsp;</p> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-home-page-banner field--type-boolean field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">News home page banner</div> <div class="field__item">On</div> </div> Fri, 27 Sep 2024 13:34:50 +0000 rahul.kalvapalle 309571 at ‘We belong here’: Indigenous beaded stole to be introduced at U of T’s spring convocation ceremonies /news/we-belong-here-indigenous-beaded-stole-be-introduced-u-t-s-spring-convocation-ceremonies <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">‘We belong here’: Indigenous beaded stole to be introduced at U of T’s spring convocation ceremonies</span> <div class="field field--name-field-featured-picture field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="eager" srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/2024-05/Katie-Longboat_Polina-Teif-1-crop.jpg?h=81d682ee&amp;itok=0s8NsbIZ 370w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_740/public/2024-05/Katie-Longboat_Polina-Teif-1-crop.jpg?h=81d682ee&amp;itok=7xtzgPG0 740w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_1110/public/2024-05/Katie-Longboat_Polina-Teif-1-crop.jpg?h=81d682ee&amp;itok=GsZ4OIPW 1110w" sizes="(min-width:1200px) 1110px, (max-width: 1199px) 80vw, (max-width: 767px) 90vw, (max-width: 575px) 95vw" width="740" height="494" src="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/2024-05/Katie-Longboat_Polina-Teif-1-crop.jpg?h=81d682ee&amp;itok=0s8NsbIZ" alt="Close up of Katie Longboat's hands beading a stole"> </div> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span>mattimar</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2024-05-30T10:18:50-04:00" title="Thursday, May 30, 2024 - 10:18" class="datetime">Thu, 05/30/2024 - 10:18</time> </span> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-cutline-long field--type-text-long field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Cutline</div> <div class="field__item"><p><em>An Indigenous stole, created by artist <strong>Katie Longboat </strong>and inspired by nature around campus, will be introduced to this spring’s U of T convocation ceremonies&nbsp;as a symbol of the university’s enduring partnership with Indigenous Peoples&nbsp;</em><em>(photo by Polina Teif)</em></p> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-author-reporters field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/authors-reporters/mariam-matti" hreflang="en">Mariam Matti</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-topic field--type-entity-reference field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Topic</div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/topics/our-community" hreflang="en">Our Community</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-story-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/convocation-2024" hreflang="en">Convocation 2024</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/indigenous-initiatives" hreflang="en">Indigenous Initiatives</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/convocation-hall" hreflang="en">Convocation Hall</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/indigenous" hreflang="en">Indigenous</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/truth-and-reconciliation" hreflang="en">Truth and Reconciliation</a></div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Artist <strong>Katie Longboat</strong> hopes the beadwork she created for an Indigenous stole to be worn during the Ƶ’s convocation ceremonies sparks a conversation about reconciliation within the education system.&nbsp;</p> <p>The stole will be unveiled on June 3 –&nbsp;worn by the <a href="/news/eagle-feather-introduced-convocation-ceremonies-symbol-u-t-s-commitment-reconciliation">Eagle Feather Bearer</a> who leads the chancellor’s procession into Convocation Hall.&nbsp;</p> <p>The incorporation of the Eagle Feather, Eagle Feather Bearer and beaded stole into U of T’s official convocation ceremonies symbolizes the university’s enduring partnership with Indigenous Peoples and grew out of a recent review of U of T’s convocation.&nbsp;</p> <figure role="group" class="caption caption-drupal-media align-center"> <div> <div class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/scale_image_750_width_/public/2024-05/Katie-Longboat_Polina-Teif-3-full.jpg?itok=4XLhxWMe" width="750" height="500" alt="&quot;&quot;" class="image-style-scale-image-750-width-"> </div> </div> <figcaption><em>Katie Longboat (photo by Polina Teif)</em></figcaption> </figure> <p>“I think actions like this – incorporating beadwork on a stole and including Indigenous culture and arts – highlight the diversity of First Nations, Métis and Inuit people, and says, ‘Yes, we belong here. I belong here and have a space in post-secondary education,’” says Longboat, a Mohawk and Cree bead artist and educator based in Toronto.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>“I hope the message cycles down to the younger generations – the youth who are now entering post-secondary education – and they can feel that they have a place here, too.”&nbsp;</p> <p>Originally from Six Nations of the Grand River, Longboat began beading when she was 14 years old in an effort to connect with her community. Her design for the stole was inspired by the nature she saw when she walked around the university.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>“Some of the elements include oak leaves, acorns – there are pine needles all around the beaded piece,” she says. “The central flower, blue poppy flower and then the trillium flower at the top. There’s a beaver at the bottom of the beadwork, which is representative of the Ƶ symbols.&nbsp;</p> <p>“Another element in the beadwork is the waterways. If you look closely, there are what look like streams flowing from the top to the bottom of the work and that represents the waterways in Toronto that are connected to the area.”&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <figure role="group" class="caption caption-drupal-media align-center"> <div> <div class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/scale_image_750_width_/public/2024-05/Katie-Longboat_Polina-Teif-5-crop.jpg?itok=B47q4gVT" width="750" height="500" alt="&quot;&quot;" class="image-style-scale-image-750-width-"> </div> </div> <figcaption><em>The stole's design was inspired by the nature Longboat observed at U of T</em>&nbsp;<em>(photo by Polina Teif)</em></figcaption> </figure> <p><strong>Shannon Simpson</strong>, senior director of the Office of Indigenous Initiatives, met with Indigenous leaders from the three campuses to discuss potential themes for the stole. U of T’s Council of Indigenous Initiatives was also involved in the process.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>“We wanted something that represents all three campuses and something that signifies the land U of T sits on,” Simpson says. “[But] we didn’t want to get in the way of the creative process.”&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <figure role="group" class="caption caption-drupal-media align-left"> <div> <div class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/2024-05/UofT93580_820A0915-crop.jpg" width="300" height="300" alt="&quot;&quot;"> </div> </div> <figcaption><em>Shannon Simpson (photo by Johnny Guatto)</em></figcaption> </figure> <p>Using two different techniques, Longboat created two separate pieces for convocation – the beadwork for the stole and a beaded stem to hold the Eagle Feather. She used flat-stitch beading for the stole and peyote-stitch bead weaving for the stem of the feather.&nbsp;</p> <p>In 2017, the Steering Committee for the Ƶ Response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada released its final report, <a href="https://www.provost.utoronto.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/155/2018/05/Final-Report-TRC.pdf">Wecheehetowin</a>. It called on the university to act in six key areas to engage in the ongoing process of reconciliation. A Convocation Advisory Review Committee was subsequently formed with a mandate that included reviewing ceremony elements with a goal to preserve U of T’s traditions while incorporating Indigenous cultures.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>Simpson emphasizes the importance of inclusion and notes that Indigenous students previously felt under-represented.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>“I think for a lot of our students, many of them have said they’re the first person in their family to attend a post-secondary institution, or that they feel like they’re the only Indigenous student in many of their classes,” she says.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>“By the time they get their degree, they had a lot of firsts in their journey. To see these elements in their convocation, to see the recognition – I think that makes them feel like Indigenous students matter at U of T and that their experience has been valued.”&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <figure role="group" class="caption caption-drupal-media align-center"> <div> <div class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/scale_image_750_width_/public/2024-05/Katie-Longboat_Polina-Teif-2-crop.jpg?itok=lXSxhO6M" width="750" height="500" alt="&quot;&quot;" class="image-style-scale-image-750-width-"> </div> </div> <figcaption><em>Originally from Six Nations of the Grand River, Longboat began beading when she was 14 years old (photo by Polina Teif)</em></figcaption> </figure> <p>Simpson says she is excited to have Longboat’s work featured in U of T’s convocation ceremonies.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>“Katie does beautiful work and she’s a member of one of our host nations,” she says. “So, that was really important to us as well – to have someone from one of our local communities really be involved in this way.”&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>The addition of the beaded stole, Eagle Feather and Eagle Feather Bearer are among several initiatives that seek to make convocation more inclusive for Indigenous students. Others include a land acknowledgment and a protocol where Indigenous graduands can choose to wear traditional regalia with academic hood in lieu of an academic gown to their ceremonies.&nbsp;</p> <p>Simpson says the university’s journey to reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples still requires much work and relationship-building – but that the recent changes are steps in the right direction.&nbsp;</p> <p>Longboat, meanwhile, hopes the stole’s wearers feel a sense of pride and that Indigenous students receive its intended message: “We belong here.”&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <div> <div class="field field--name-field-media-oembed-video field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item"><iframe src="/media/oembed?url=https%3A//youtu.be/VkjuwOqW1RM&amp;max_width=0&amp;max_height=0&amp;hash=VwvvBKI8wn8AcaJ4lq3GZ-t-HmxborNw3toOTeSn9YQ" width="200" height="113" class="media-oembed-content" loading="eager" title="First-ever Indigenous beaded stole introduced to U of T’s convocation ceremonies"></iframe> </div> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-home-page-banner field--type-boolean field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">News home page banner</div> <div class="field__item">Off</div> </div> Thu, 30 May 2024 14:18:50 +0000 mattimar 307956 at U of T astronomers and Kâpapâmahchakwêw – Wandering Spirit School collaborate on science programming for Indigenous students /news/u-t-astronomers-and-kapapamahchakwew-wandering-spirit-school-collaborate-science-programming <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">U of T astronomers and Kâpapâmahchakwêw – Wandering Spirit School collaborate on science programming for Indigenous students</span> <div class="field field--name-field-featured-picture field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="eager" srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/2024-05/Chiefswood-crop.jpg?h=be4eabf6&amp;itok=IQCB-RK5 370w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_740/public/2024-05/Chiefswood-crop.jpg?h=be4eabf6&amp;itok=-ou4A1L9 740w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_1110/public/2024-05/Chiefswood-crop.jpg?h=be4eabf6&amp;itok=sxquJYEe 1110w" sizes="(min-width:1200px) 1110px, (max-width: 1199px) 80vw, (max-width: 767px) 90vw, (max-width: 575px) 95vw" width="740" height="494" src="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/2024-05/Chiefswood-crop.jpg?h=be4eabf6&amp;itok=IQCB-RK5" alt="several people sit in a park to view the 2024 total eclipse in Chiefswood Park"> </div> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span>rahul.kalvapalle</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2024-05-14T14:23:37-04:00" title="Tuesday, May 14, 2024 - 14:23" class="datetime">Tue, 05/14/2024 - 14:23</time> </span> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-cutline-long field--type-text-long field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Cutline</div> <div class="field__item"><p><em>Students, teachers and caregivers from Kâpapâmahchakwêw – Wandering Spirit School gather with U of T astronomers to watch the April 8 total solar eclipse&nbsp;at Chiefswood Park on Six Nations of the Grand River (photo by Suresh Sivanandam)</em></p> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-author-reporters field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/authors-reporters/michael-pereira" hreflang="en">Michael Pereira</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-topic field--type-entity-reference field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Topic</div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/topics/our-community" hreflang="en">Our Community</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-story-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/indigenous-initiatives" hreflang="en">Indigenous Initiatives</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/astronomy-astrophysics" hreflang="en">Astronomy &amp; Astrophysics</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/dunlap-institute-astronomy-astrophysics" hreflang="en">Dunlap Institute for Astronomy &amp; Astrophysics</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/faculty-arts-science" hreflang="en">Faculty of Arts &amp; Science</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/indigenous" hreflang="en">Indigenous</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/truth-and-reconciliation" hreflang="en">Truth and Reconciliation</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-subheadline field--type-string-long field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Subheadline</div> <div class="field__item">The groundwork is currently being laid for a coding club and mentoring programs, among other initiatives</div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>A group of astronomers from the Ƶ and students, teachers and caregivers from Toronto’s <a href="https://www.tdsb.on.ca/Find-your/Schools/schno/5909" target="_blank">Kâpapâmahchakwêw – Wandering Spirit School</a> recently shared a once-in-a-lifetime experience: witnessing a total solar eclipse.</p> <p>The April 8 gathering, which took place in Chiefswood Park on Six Nations of the Grand River, saw the astronomers bring telescopes with solar filters that allowed viewers to observe sunspots and watch as the moon slowly eclipsed the sun. The event also served as a forum for young learners and community members to share traditional knowledge and ask plenty of questions.</p> <p>It was one of many engagements planned as part of a partnership between U of T’s <a href="https://www.dunlap.utoronto.ca">Dunlap Institute for Astronomy &amp; Astrophysics</a> and the Kâpapâmahchakwêw – Wandering Spirit School, which was founded in 1977 and gives students from kindergarten to Grade 12 the opportunity to learn about Anishinaabe cultural traditions.</p> <figure role="group" class="caption caption-drupal-media align-left"> <div> <div class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/2024-05/IMG_3352-1-225x300.jpg" width="225" height="300" alt="&quot;&quot;"> </div> </div> <figcaption><em>Totality at Chiefswood Park (photo by Kara Manovich)</em></figcaption> </figure> <p>In the future, there are also plans for a coding club, mentoring and tutoring programs, and training for teachers.&nbsp;</p> <p>“Kâpapâmahchakwêw – Wandering Spirit School is grateful for the growing partnership with Dunlap because it provides an opportunity to practise reciprocity in knowledge sharing,” said&nbsp;<strong>Elise Twyford</strong>, the school’s principal. “The students and community learned about – and experienced – astrophysics and astronomy, and also had the opportunity to build their skills in sharing traditional knowledge and world views.</p> <p>“I appreciate the care and thoughtfulness of the Dunlap and Ƶ team in collaborating with Kâpapâmahchakwêw students as partners in learning.”</p> <p>The roots of the partnership stretch back to 2022 when&nbsp;<strong>Emma Stromberg</strong>, Indigenous partnership adviser at the Faculty of Arts &amp; Science, and Associate Professor&nbsp;<strong>Susan Hill</strong>, director of the Centre for Indigenous Studies, approached Dunlap with an opportunity to work with teachers and students from Kâpapâmahchakwêw.</p> <figure role="group" class="caption caption-drupal-media align-right"> <div> <div class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/2024-05/DSC_6784-300x300.jpg" width="300" height="300" alt="&quot;&quot;"> </div> </div> <figcaption><em>A close-up photo of the moon totally eclipsing the sun on April 8 above Chiefswood Park (photo by Suresh Sivanandam)</em></figcaption> </figure> <p>“We wanted to see if we could match up the needs and interests of the school to resources at U of T, to build something that can be sustained,” Stromberg says. “Consistent with U of T’s commitments to reconciliation, it is incumbent on all of us to think of ways to redress, in small and big ways, the impacts of settler colonialism and push resources into the community wherever possible.”</p> <p>Some 20 members of the Dunlap community have since volunteered to help, with many of them recently participating in a workshop with&nbsp;<strong>John Croutch</strong>&nbsp;from the Office of Indigenous Initiatives to learn about the continued impacts of settler colonialism and what it means to be an ally to Indigenous Peoples.</p> <p>The U of T astronomers said the opportunity to share a total solar eclipse was a memorable moment for everyone involved.</p> <p>“You could hear lots of kids screaming in excitement and people gasping in awe at seeing totality,” said Associate Professor&nbsp;<strong>Suresh Sivanandam</strong>, interim director of the Dunlap Institute for Astronomy &amp; Astrophysics in the Faculty of Arts &amp; Science.&nbsp;“When I walked out of there, I thought, ‘These are the moments in my job where I feel completely fulfilled because I helped other people experience the joy of astronomy.’”</p> <figure role="group" class="caption caption-drupal-media align-left"> <div> <div class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/2024-05/Eclipse-6-225x300.jpg" width="225" height="300" alt="&quot;&quot;"> </div> </div> <figcaption><em>Students recreate the total solar eclipse with paint and pastels on black paper (photo by Emma Stromberg)</em></figcaption> </figure> <p>Professor&nbsp;<strong>Roberto Abraham</strong>, chair of the faculty’s David A. Dunlap department of astronomy and astrophysics, said he was the same age as some of the students when he first saw a total solar eclipse.&nbsp;</p> <p>“It was magic,” he said. “Once you see a total solar eclipse, you won’t be the same person afterwards.”&nbsp;</p> <p>Earlier this year, Sivanandam and Abraham visited the school to meet students, teachers and staff and hear about how astronomers at U of T can best support them.&nbsp;</p> <p>For Twyford, the relationship with U of T immerses Kâpapâmahchakwêw students in the fields of astronomy and astrophysics in ways that wouldn’t be possible in the classroom.</p> <p>“I know that many students now see the wonder and possibility of these sciences and are even more motivated to continue their learning,” Twyford said.&nbsp;“It also helps to complement the traditional and cultural.”</p> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-home-page-banner field--type-boolean field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">News home page banner</div> <div class="field__item">Off</div> </div> Tue, 14 May 2024 18:23:37 +0000 rahul.kalvapalle 307841 at More than 10,000 U of T community members take part in Indigenous cultural competency training /news/more-10000-u-t-community-members-take-part-indigenous-cultural-competency-training <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">More than 10,000 U of T community members take part in Indigenous cultural competency training</span> <div class="field field--name-field-featured-picture field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="eager" srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/2024-04/JohnCroutch-crop.jpg?h=156dba40&amp;itok=M4_aaUMo 370w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_740/public/2024-04/JohnCroutch-crop.jpg?h=156dba40&amp;itok=g2ao760I 740w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_1110/public/2024-04/JohnCroutch-crop.jpg?h=156dba40&amp;itok=uAALFyP- 1110w" sizes="(min-width:1200px) 1110px, (max-width: 1199px) 80vw, (max-width: 767px) 90vw, (max-width: 575px) 95vw" width="740" height="494" src="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/2024-04/JohnCroutch-crop.jpg?h=156dba40&amp;itok=M4_aaUMo" alt="&quot;&quot;"> </div> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span>Christopher.Sorensen</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2024-04-12T17:05:10-04:00" title="Friday, April 12, 2024 - 17:05" class="datetime">Fri, 04/12/2024 - 17:05</time> </span> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-cutline-long field--type-text-long field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Cutline</div> <div class="field__item"><p><em>John Croutch, Indigenous training co-ordinator and a&nbsp;member of Wiikwemkoong Unceded First Nation, says he hopes participants walk away from his sessions with a greater understanding of the impacts of settler colonialism and its focus on the erasure of Indigenous Peoples (photo by Johnny Guatto)</em></p> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-author-reporters field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/authors-reporters/melinda-mattos" hreflang="en">Melinda Mattos</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-topic field--type-entity-reference field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Topic</div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/topics/our-community" hreflang="en">Our Community</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-story-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/6864" hreflang="en">People Strategy</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/utogether" hreflang="en">UTogether</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/indigenous-initiatives" hreflang="en">Indigenous Initiatives</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/truth-and-reconciliation" hreflang="en">Truth and Reconciliation</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-subheadline field--type-string-long field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Subheadline</div> <div class="field__item">In response to high demand, the Office of Indigenous Initiatives at U of T has hired a second training co-ordinator to deliver four-part learning series</div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>The Ƶ’s Office of Indigenous Initiatives has hit a milestone in its educational efforts: providing Indigenous cultural competency training to more than 10,000 students, staff, faculty and librarians across the university.</p> <p><strong>John Croutch</strong>, Indigenous training co-ordinator and a&nbsp;member of Wiikwemkoong Unceded First Nation, leads the&nbsp;four-part learning series, which explores Canada’s hidden history of Indigenous-settler relations, the impact of state decisions and policies, the role of land acknowledgments, and the nature of allyship.&nbsp;</p> <p>“Reconciliation is about building a relationship between Indigenous Peoples and non-Indigenous Peoples so that we can see that we are not so different,” says Croutch, who joined the Office of Indigenous Initiatives in 2018.&nbsp;</p> <p>“As you start to build those relationships, you start to feel more comfortable around Indigenous Peoples because you know what we've been through.”</p> <p>Given high demand for the sessions, the Office of Indigenous Initiatives recently hired a second Indigenous training co-ordinator,&nbsp;<strong>Andrea Johns</strong>, to support the delivery of programming and create more opportunities for engagement.</p> <p>Croutch says he hopes participants walk away from his sessions with a greater understanding of the impacts of settler colonialism and its focus on the erasure of Indigenous Peoples.&nbsp;</p> <p>“I hope it will help them understand some of the socioeconomic conditions that Indigenous Peoples live with and the fact that we were segregated in schools, hospitals and on reserves … in the past, the average Canadian could never build a relationship with us,” he says. “But that’s beginning to change.”&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>While the training sessions touch on uncomfortable truths that can be difficult for many Canadians to hear, Croutch’s expansive knowledge, strong facilitation skills and willingness to share lived experiences allow him to connect deeply with learners.&nbsp;</p> <p>“John is a talented trainer who is able to deliver complex and challenging content in a way that informs the participant without placing blame and offers solutions and a path forward in reconciliation efforts,” says&nbsp;<strong>Shannon Simpson</strong>, senior director of the Office of Indigenous Initiatives. “He has been able to reach community members who may not otherwise have considered this important and, in doing so, has shifted views and opinions.”</p> <p>Participants’ feedback echo these sentiments. They describe Croutch as “a deeply engaged and passionate expert” who “challenges us with uncomfortable truths in a way that inspires further reflection and learning.”&nbsp;</p> <p>Another participant described the sessions as “the history lesson we should have gotten in school.”&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>While Croutch says he still encounters some individuals who want to debate the history or challenge his teachings, he’s seen a shift in how people react to the training over the years.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>“I have noticed a definite upswing in awareness and less resistance than I did in 2019,” he says. “I believe that the university is doing much more to facilitate that awareness of Indigenous presence and futurity … for example, Indigenous land acknowledgments, the accommodation of smudging, the&nbsp;<a href="https://indigenouslandscape.utoronto.ca/">Ziibiing landscape project</a>, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.utm.utoronto.ca/indigenous/placekeeping">Maanjiwe nendamowinan</a>&nbsp;building at the Mississauga campus,&nbsp;<a href="/news/eagle-feather-introduced-convocation-ceremonies-symbol-u-t-s-commitment-reconciliation">Feather Bearers</a>&nbsp;at convocation, and the&nbsp;<a href="https://registrar.utoronto.ca/finances-and-funding/indigenous-tuition-initiative/">Indigenous Tuition Initiative</a>&nbsp;to name a few.</p> <p>&nbsp;“There is also less resistance to the trainings, I believe, because as more people train, the resisters are beginning to become the outliers.”</p> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-home-page-banner field--type-boolean field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">News home page banner</div> <div class="field__item">On</div> </div> Fri, 12 Apr 2024 21:05:10 +0000 Christopher.Sorensen 307412 at Acknowledging the land: Showcasing Indigenous artists, voices and experiences /news/acknowledging-land-showcasing-indigenous-artists-voices-and-experiences <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Acknowledging the land: Showcasing Indigenous artists, voices and experiences</span> <div class="field field--name-field-featured-picture field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="eager" srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/2023-12/2023-10-11-Simcoe-Hall-Indigenous-Art-Installation_Polina-Teif-9-crop.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=1kuCSMbb 370w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_740/public/2023-12/2023-10-11-Simcoe-Hall-Indigenous-Art-Installation_Polina-Teif-9-crop.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=xyZM_Sl2 740w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_1110/public/2023-12/2023-10-11-Simcoe-Hall-Indigenous-Art-Installation_Polina-Teif-9-crop.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=yaZ0ZKuM 1110w" sizes="(min-width:1200px) 1110px, (max-width: 1199px) 80vw, (max-width: 767px) 90vw, (max-width: 575px) 95vw" width="740" height="494" src="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/2023-12/2023-10-11-Simcoe-Hall-Indigenous-Art-Installation_Polina-Teif-9-crop.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=1kuCSMbb" alt="&quot;&quot;"> </div> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span>lanthierj</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2023-12-12T14:54:37-05:00" title="Tuesday, December 12, 2023 - 14:54" class="datetime">Tue, 12/12/2023 - 14:54</time> </span> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-cutline-long field--type-text-long field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Cutline</div> <div class="field__item"><p><em>Chancellor Rose Patten looks at the new art pieces inside U of T’s Simcoe Hall (all photos by Polina Teif)</em></p> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-author-reporters field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/authors-reporters/mariam-matti" hreflang="en">Mariam Matti</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-topic field--type-entity-reference field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Topic</div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/topics/city-culture" hreflang="en">City &amp; Culture</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-story-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/utogether" hreflang="en">UTogether</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/indigenous-initiatives" hreflang="en">Indigenous Initiatives</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/office-president" hreflang="en">Office of the President</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/art-museum" hreflang="en">Art Museum</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/president-meric-gertler" hreflang="en">President Meric Gertler</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/truth-and-reconciliation" hreflang="en">Truth and Reconciliation</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-subheadline field--type-string-long field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Subheadline</div> <div class="field__item">'This is an incredible example of prioritizing Indigenous space while showcasing Indigenous excellence and resiliency'</div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>A new art installation inside the Ƶ’s Simcoe Hall is shining a spotlight on some of Canada’s most respected Indigenous artists while giving the community an opportunity to reimagine the concept of public space.</p> <p>The exhibition, <em><a href="https://artmuseum.utoronto.ca/program/guided-visits-acknowledging-the-land-at-simcoe-hall/">acknowledging the land</a></em>, honours Indigenous continuity, resilience and self-determination. The long-term installation occupies space previously reserved for paintings of U of T leaders who have shaped the university over its 196-year history – a gesture acknowledging the importance of making space for Indigenous voices and presence.</p> <figure role="group" class="caption caption-drupal-media align-center"> <div> <div class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/scale_image_750_width_/public/2023-12/UofT93704_2023-10-11-Simcoe-Hall-Indigenous-Art-Installation_Polina-Teif-20-crop.jpg?itok=-Lrspnia" width="750" height="500" alt="&quot;&quot;" class="image-style-scale-image-750-width-"> </div> </div> <figcaption>Artist Katherine Takpannie's work is featured in a new art installation at U of T’s Simcoe Hall (photo by Polina Teif)</figcaption> </figure> <p><a href="https://www.katherinetakpannie.ca/alleyesonmikmaki">Artist <strong>Katherine Takpannie</strong></a> said her mother – a residential school survivor who was born in Apex Hill, Nvt., before being taken away at age six – was in tears when she learned her daughter’s work would be featured at the exhibit.</p> <p>“It was impactful for her because her life and what happened to Indigenous Peoples has been swept under the rug for so long,” said Takpannie, who was born in Montreal.</p> <figure role="group" class="caption caption-drupal-media align-right"> <div> <div class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/2023-12/2023-10-11-Simcoe-Hall-Indigenous-Art-Installation_Polina-Teif-4-crop.jpg" width="350" height="525" alt="&quot;&quot;"> </div> </div> <figcaption>Artist Katherine Takpannie's portrait titled <em>All Eyes on Mik’Ma’Ki (Ma Myriah) </em>is displayed (photo by Polina Teif)</figcaption> </figure> <p><a href="https://www.katherinetakpannie.ca/university-of-toronto-acknowledging-the-land#1">Takpannie’s portrait</a> is of Inuk/L’nu/Scottish grassroots activist Ma Myriah Peace. It recognizes Peace’s frontline work in support of Mi’Kmaq fishers’ rights and pays homage to her role as a determined and dedicated community organizer.</p> <p>Other artists whose work is featured include: <strong>Rebecca Belmore</strong>, <strong>Catherine Blackburn</strong>, <strong>Lori Blondeau</strong>, <strong>Dana Claxton</strong>, <strong>Caroline Monnet</strong> and <strong>Laakkuluk Williamson Bathory</strong> with <strong>Jamie Griffiths</strong>.</p> <p>Under the leadership of the President’s Office, and through wide-ranging conversations with Indigenous artists, curators, faculty members and staff, the installation was produced by the Art Museum with the generous support of U of T’s Office of Indigenous Initiatives.</p> <p>“It was an honour to support this exhibit and see the reimagining of the walls of Simcoe Hall come to life,” said <strong>Shannon Simpson</strong>, senior director of the Office of Indigenous Initiatives.</p> <p>“This is an incredible example of prioritizing Indigenous space while showcasing Indigenous excellence and resiliency.”</p> <p>Those who wish to view the artwork at Simcoe Hall can <a href="https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/guided-visits-at-simcoe-hall-acknowledging-the-land-tickets-749503413887?aff=oddtdtcreator">register for a guided visit through Eventbrite</a>. While the Dec. 13 visit is already fully booked, there are visits scheduled for Jan. 10 and Feb. 14 at 3:30 p.m. Those who can’t make the listed dates can contact <strong>Melody Lu</strong>, operations assistant at U of T’s Art Museum (<a href="http://mailto:mel.lu@utoronto.ca">mel.lu@utoronto.ca</a>)&nbsp;to <a href="https://artmuseum.utoronto.ca/program/guided-visits-acknowledging-the-land-at-simcoe-hall/">plan group tours</a>.</p> <p>A launch to celebrate the exhibit was recently held inside U of T’s Governing Council chambers.</p> <figure role="group" class="caption caption-drupal-media align-center"> <div> <div class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/scale_image_750_width_/public/2023-12/2023-10-11-Simcoe-Hall-Indigenous-Art-Installation_Polina-Teif-31-crop.jpg?itok=DWPFUdud" width="750" height="500" alt="&quot;&quot;" class="image-style-scale-image-750-width-"> </div> </div> <figcaption>Artist Dana Claxton’s portrait titled <em>Headdress</em> is displayed (photo by Polina Teif)</figcaption> </figure> <p>U of T President <strong>Meric Gertler</strong> said the portraits invite the public to “hear voices of courage, resilience and solidarity that for so long have been ignored or silenced.”</p> <p>He added that the installation is among several actions taken by U of T in response to <a href="https://www.provost.utoronto.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/155/2018/05/Final-Report-TRC.pdf"><em>Wecheehetowin</em>, the final report of the Steering Committee for the Ƶ’s Response to the Truth and Reconciliation Committee of Canada</a>, and will serve as a reminder to the university community that the work of reconciliation is ongoing and must remain a priority.</p> <p><a href="https://www.daniels.utoronto.ca/people/core-faculty/barbara-fischer"><strong>Barbara Fischer</strong></a>, executive director and chief curator of the Art Museum at U of T, said the discussions around the role of traditional leadership portraits in public-facing spaces inside Simcoe Hall began years ago, but the “clincher came in 2020.”</p> <p>“There were rising questions about public art and monuments prompted by the Black Lives Matter movement – why are there permanent monuments which tell of histories that exclude others? It was such an intensive time to rethink public space at every level, and it continues to be vitally important today” said Fischer, who is an associate professor, teaching stream, at the John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design.</p> <figure role="group" class="caption caption-drupal-media align-center"> <div> <div class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/scale_image_750_width_/public/2023-12/UofT93702_2023-10-11-Simcoe-Hall-Indigenous-Art-Installation_Polina-Teif-16-crop.jpg?itok=neIaxh3G" width="750" height="500" alt="&quot;&quot;" class="image-style-scale-image-750-width-"> </div> </div> <figcaption>Barbara Fischer is the executive director and chief curator of the Art Museum at U of T (photo by Polina Teif)</figcaption> </figure> <p>She added that wide-ranging conversations with Indigenous artists, curators, faculty members and staff led to the installation becoming a reality.</p> <p>“The voices of Indigenous artists are critical to confronting colonial history and relations with the land; their works attest to the amazing flourishing of Indigenous art and artists all across the country,” she said.</p> <p>“We are super proud that the artists agreed to be presented in this context with their works.”</p> <p><strong>Rose Patten</strong>, U of T’s chancellor, said she continues to be in awe of the artwork in the exhibit. &nbsp;</p> <p>“Let me add my thanks to the artists represented in it and to the staff responsible for all of this,” she told those gathered at the launch. “You have made a very impactful contribution to our academic mission as an institution dedicated to inclusive excellence.”</p> <figure role="group" class="caption caption-drupal-media align-center"> <div> <div class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/scale_image_750_width_/public/2023-12/UofT93714_2023-10-11-Simcoe-Hall-Indigenous-Art-Installation_Polina-Teif-30-crop.jpg?itok=Vds_-QZN" width="750" height="500" alt="&quot;&quot;" class="image-style-scale-image-750-width-"> </div> </div> <figcaption>Artist Catherine Blackburn stands in front of her portrait that’s featured inside U of T’s Simcoe Hall (photo by Polina Teif)</figcaption> </figure> <p>Blackburn, a multidisciplinary artist and jeweller who spoke at the event alongside Takpannie, said she feels honoured to be featured alongside some of her favourite artists – but that the installation comes with its challenges.</p> <p>“I’m addressing the effects of a settler institution, in a settler institution” she said. “To have this work celebrated alongside these powerful women is beautiful, and intense. This exhibition is a powerful intervention bound through love, land, resurgence and relationality, and that is worth celebrating.”</p> <figure role="group" class="caption caption-drupal-media align-right"> <div> <div class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/2023-12/2023-10-11-Simcoe-Hall-Indigenous-Art-Installation_Polina-Teif-28-crop.jpg" width="350" height="525" alt="&quot;&quot;"> </div> </div> <figcaption>Artist Catherine Blackburn’s portrait titled <em>But there’s no scar? II</em> is displayed (photo by Polina Teif)</figcaption> </figure> <p>Blackburn’s artwork, titled “But there’s no scar? II,” depicts a kneeling figure, with long, braided hair, who faces away from the viewer and wears a cream-coloured, unsmoked deer hide bearing a bruise stitched in iridescent beadwork.</p> <p>“The original textile work is two-thread applied beadwork, which is the same technique my grandmother would have used when making her garment work,” Blackburn said, adding that beading inspired her to reconnect with her cultural identity.</p> <p>Born in Patuanak, Sask., and a member of the English River First Nation, Blackburn’s work addresses complexities of memory, history and identity connected to her personal narrative.</p> <p>“I speak to personal and familial [trauma] rooted in the residential school system,” she said.</p> <p>“I’m always aware of the tension within my work, constantly interrogating whose voices are present as to avoid generalization because our cultures are so unique.”</p> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-home-page-banner field--type-boolean field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">News home page banner</div> <div class="field__item">Off</div> </div> Tue, 12 Dec 2023 19:54:37 +0000 lanthierj 304909 at U of T to cover tuition for students from nine First Nations communities /news/u-t-cover-tuition-students-nine-first-nations-communities <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">U of T to cover tuition for students from nine First Nations communities</span> <div class="field field--name-field-featured-picture field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="eager" srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/2023-09/DZ2_5427-crop.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=jExZqwhY 370w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_740/public/2023-09/DZ2_5427-crop.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=5pf9VCPp 740w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_1110/public/2023-09/DZ2_5427-crop.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=u6OA414z 1110w" sizes="(min-width:1200px) 1110px, (max-width: 1199px) 80vw, (max-width: 767px) 90vw, (max-width: 575px) 95vw" width="740" height="494" src="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/2023-09/DZ2_5427-crop.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=jExZqwhY" alt="&quot;&quot;"> </div> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span>lanthierj</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2023-09-22T14:15:02-04:00" title="Friday, September 22, 2023 - 14:15" class="datetime">Fri, 09/22/2023 - 14:15</time> </span> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-cutline-long field--type-text-long field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Cutline</div> <div class="field__item"><p><em>The ceremonial Eagle Feather and U of T's ceremonial mace at a 2023 convocation ceremony. The Eagle Feather was gifted to the Office of the President by Elders at the 2017 entrustment ceremony for the Ƶ Truth and Reconciliation Steering Committee’s Report, “Answering the Call: Wecheehetowin” (photo by Lisa Sakulensky)</em></p> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-author-reporters field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/authors-reporters/adina-bresge" hreflang="en">Adina Bresge</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-topic field--type-entity-reference field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Topic</div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/topics/our-community" hreflang="en">Our Community</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-story-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/indigenous-initiatives" hreflang="en">Indigenous Initiatives</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/academics" hreflang="en">Academics</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/cheryl-regehr" hreflang="en">Cheryl Regehr</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/indigenous" hreflang="en">Indigenous</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/meric-gertler" hreflang="en">Meric Gertler</a></div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>The Ƶ will cover the cost of tuition for students from nine First Nations as part of its efforts to make the university more accessible and inclusive for Indigenous students – and strengthen relationships with Indigenous communities.</p> <p>The initiative, <a href="https://registrar.utoronto.ca/indigenous-tuition-initiative/">which launches Oct. 11</a>, will support members of First Nations communities whose territories include or are adjacent to U of T’s campuses. They are: Alderville First Nation, Curve Lake First Nation, Hiawatha First Nation, Nation Huronne-Wendat/Huron-Wendat First Nation, Mississauga First Nation, Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation, Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte (Tyendinaga Mohawk)&nbsp;and Six Nations of the Grand River.</p> <p>In addition, Indigenous or Native American students from the continental United States will be charged the domestic Ontario tuition rate in recognition of the <em>Jay Treaty</em> of 1794, which acknowledges the colonial nature of the border between the U.S. and Canada.</p> <p>In May of 2022, U of T began applying the domestic Ontario tuition rate to Indigenous students living elsewhere in Canada.</p> <p>The initiatives apply to current and future Indigenous students enrolled in most undergraduate, graduate and professional credit-based programs across the three campuses – part of a suite of programs available to Indigenous students as part of U of T’s commitment to increasing access and support services.</p> <figure role="group" class="caption caption-drupal-media align-left"> <div> <div class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/scale_image_250_width_/public/2023-09/820A0915%20copy_0.jpg?itok=4hpIre-U" width="250" height="250" alt="&quot;&quot;" class="image-style-scale-image-250-width-"> </div> </div> <figcaption><em>Shannon Simpson (photo by Johnny Guatto)</em></figcaption> </figure> <p><strong>Shannon Simpson</strong>, senior director in the Office of Indigenous Initiatives, says the changes aim to make U of T more accessible to Indigenous students in keeping with the 34 calls to action outlined in <a href="https://www.provost.utoronto.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/155/2018/05/Final-Report-TRC.pdf"><em>Answering the Call: Wecheehetowin</em></a>, the final report of the Steering Committee for the Ƶ Response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada.</p> <p>“I’m proud that U of T is reducing barriers to education for these nine First Nations,” says Simpson. “I think it’s really going to help strengthen our relationships with our neighbouring communities, which is so important to building those pathways to U of T that will increase recruitment.”</p> <p>Simpson says each of the nine First Nations was engaged in consultations and is supportive of the initiative. Each community will verify their students’ eligibility and communicate that information back to the university.</p> <p>Throughout its development, the initiative has benefited from the “full and complete buy-in” of U of T’s senior leadership, Simpson adds. “I'm proud to work for a university that is committed to investing in meaningful action to work towards Truth and Reconciliation.”</p> <p>U of T President <strong>Meric Gertler</strong> called the tuition initiatives an important step on the university’s journey to reconciliation and thanked Indigenous leaders for providing guidance and support.</p> <p>“The Ƶ is committed to strengthening the recruitment and inclusion of Indigenous students while building strong and lasting relationships with our neighbouring Indigenous communities," President Gertler says. "We know much more remains to be done. We’re grateful to Indigenous community members for their engagement as we learn from them and work to redress historical injustices and create a better future.”</p> <p>He added that the tuition changes complement other efforts led by the U of T steering committee on Truth and Reconciliation, including: incorporating Indigenous content into curricula; supporting Indigenous research programs; creating physical spaces to honour and acknowledge Indigenous Peoples, traditions and histories; and expanding the presence of Indigenous students, staff, faculty and librarians across U of T’s three campuses.</p> <figure role="group" class="caption caption-drupal-media align-center"> <div> <div class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/scale_image_750_width_/public/2023-09/UofT13307_20170113_TRCCeremony_012_0.jpg?itok=1NsI2pjJ" width="750" height="500" alt="&quot;&quot;" class="image-style-scale-image-750-width-"> </div> </div> <figcaption><em>Elder Andrew Wesley, left, presents U of T’s Truth and Reconciliation steering committee's report to Provost Cheryl Regehr and President Meric Gertler in 2017 (photo by Johnny Guatto)</em></figcaption> </figure> <p><strong>Cheryl Regehr</strong>, U of T’s vice-president and provost, says the tuition programs aim to facilitate the exchange of knowledge, culture and experiences that is at the core of U of T’s mission.</p> <p>“We are dedicated to making U of T a place where Indigenous knowledge, traditions and perspectives are not only valued but tightly woven throughout our academic community,” Regehr says. “We hope Indigenous students accept this invitation to come to U of T, share their insights and make new discoveries that benefit us all.”</p> <p>Simpson says she hopes to see more universities create similar programs to give Indigenous students as many academic options as possible.</p> <p>“I’m excited for U of T, and I’m excited for what will happen beyond U of T,” she says. “I want to see this for so many other institutions, so that we’re really increasing access to education across the board.”</p> <p>Details about the program and application process will be shared with prospective and current students on Oct. 11 via <a href="https://registrar.utoronto.ca/finances-and-funding">the website of the University Registrar’s Office</a>.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-home-page-banner field--type-boolean field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">News home page banner</div> <div class="field__item">Off</div> </div> Fri, 22 Sep 2023 18:15:02 +0000 lanthierj 303133 at U of T hosts global scholars for NAISA conference on Indigenous Studies /news/u-t-hosts-global-scholars-naisa-conference-indigenous-studies <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">U of T hosts global scholars for NAISA conference on Indigenous Studies</span> <div class="field field--name-field-featured-picture field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="eager" srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/2023-05/2023-05-11-NAISA-Event-%283%29-crop.jpeg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=ZTb9M4Cv 370w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_740/public/2023-05/2023-05-11-NAISA-Event-%283%29-crop.jpeg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=9r4yJsJ_ 740w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_1110/public/2023-05/2023-05-11-NAISA-Event-%283%29-crop.jpeg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=6f3cKSh1 1110w" sizes="(min-width:1200px) 1110px, (max-width: 1199px) 80vw, (max-width: 767px) 90vw, (max-width: 575px) 95vw" width="740" height="494" src="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/2023-05/2023-05-11-NAISA-Event-%283%29-crop.jpeg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=ZTb9M4Cv" alt="Performers on stage at the 14th annual Native American and Indigenous Studies Association (NAISA) conference,"> </div> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span>siddiq22</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2023-05-11T16:57:30-04:00" title="Thursday, May 11, 2023 - 16:57" class="datetime">Thu, 05/11/2023 - 16:57</time> </span> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-cutline-long field--type-text-long field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Cutline</div> <div class="field__item"><p>The 14th-annual Native American and Indigenous Studies Association (NAISA) conference, which is expected to draw 1,000 attendees from around the world, kicks off in Convocation Hall on U of T's St. George campus (photo by Johnny Guatto)</p> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-author-reporters field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/authors-reporters/tabassum-siddiqui" hreflang="en">Tabassum Siddiqui</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-topic field--type-entity-reference field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Topic</div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/topics/global-lens" hreflang="en">Global Lens</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-story-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/indigenous-studies" hreflang="en">Indigenous Studies</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/conference" hreflang="en">Conference</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/indigenous-initiatives" hreflang="en">Indigenous Initiatives</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/centre-indigenous-studies" hreflang="en">Centre for Indigenous Studies</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/faculty-arts-science" hreflang="en">Faculty of Arts &amp; Science</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/global" hreflang="en">Global</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/research" hreflang="en">Research</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/women-and-gender-studies" hreflang="en">Women and Gender Studies</a></div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p style="margin-bottom:11px">The Ƶ will welcome Indigenous scholars and researchers from around the world this week for the 14th annual <a href="https://www.naisa2023.ca/">Native American and Indigenous Studies Association (NAISA) conference</a>.</p> <p style="margin-bottom:11px">The conference, which is expected to draw 1,000 attendees, will be held on U of T’s St. George campus from May 11 to 13.</p> <figure role="group" class="caption caption-drupal-media align-left"> <div> <div class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/2023-05/hill-recollet.jpeg" width="500" height="250" alt="Susan Hill and Karyn Recollet "> </div> </div> <figcaption><em>Susan Hill and Karyn Recollet (photos supplied)</em></figcaption> </figure> <p style="margin-bottom:11px">NAISA is an interdisciplinary <a href="https://naisa.org/">professional organization</a> that brings together faculty and students from post-secondary institutions (including several U of T scholars); community-based scholars, artists and Elders; and independent professionals working in the field of Indigenous Studies.</p> <p style="margin-bottom:11px">“NAISA came about in order to create a place where Indigenous Studies scholars could meet and work on the broad themes that tie us together, and to advance a broader understanding of the importance of Indigenous Studies to academia. Strengthening Indigenous Studies positions us to better support Indigenous communities and Nations,” said conference co-chair <a href="https://indigenousstudies.utoronto.ca/person/susan-hill/"><b>Susan Hill</b></a>, director of U of T’s <a href="https://indigenousstudies.utoronto.ca/">Centre for Indigenous Studies</a> and an associate professor of Indigenous Studies and history in the Faculty of Arts &amp; Science.</p> <p style="margin-bottom:11px"><a href="https://www.naisa2023.ca/conference/program/">With sessions planned</a> on everything from food sovereignty to language revitalization and contemporary Indigenous cinema, the 2023 event is the first in-person NAISA conference since 2019, when it was hosted by the University of Waikato in New Zealand. U of T had planned to host the 2020 conference, which was cancelled due to the pandemic and rescheduled for this year.</p> <p style="margin-bottom:11px">The conference&nbsp;will highlight how Toronto – which originates from the Mohawk word “Tkaronto,” meaning “where the trees stand in the water” – has been home to the Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabe Peoples and part of the original homelands of the Wendat People.</p> <p style="margin-bottom:11px"><i>U of T News</i> spoke with Hill and fellow conference co-chair <a href="https://harthouse.ca/profile/karyn-recollet"><b>Karyn Recollet</b></a>, assistant professor in the Women &amp; Gender Studies Institute in the Faculty of Arts &amp; Science, about what to expect at NAISA 2023 – which will include panel and roundtable discussions, presentations of research papers, film screenings, performances and more.</p> <style type="text/css">.embed-container { position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0; overflow: hidden; max-width: 100%; } .embed-container iframe, .embed-container object, .embed-container embed { position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; } </style> <div class="embed-container"><iframe allowfullscreen frameborder="0" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9oPdb8Qzjw8"></iframe></div> <hr> <p style="margin-bottom:11px"><b>Hundreds of attendees are coming from around the world – what will they experience at this year’s NAISA conference?</b></p> <p style="margin-bottom:11px"><i>Hill:</i> One of the things that we committed to as the local host committee was to take the lead in terms of our own cultural values that we bring from our specific communities – and also honouring the practices that are common in the Toronto Indigenous community.</p> <p style="margin-bottom:11px">One of those key pieces was about ethical care and doing our best to provide spaces that would meet people’s needs – so we were very purposeful in choosing locations that were close together.</p> <p style="margin-bottom:11px">It was also important for us to feed our guests – that’s a key value that’s embodied in the communities all around us. When you come to somebody’s home, they will offer you a meal or a beverage. That’s such an important part of hospitality, and in inviting our friends and colleagues from around the world, we want to make sure we’re treating them as if they were coming into our home.</p> <p style="margin-bottom:11px">We’re particularly excited about the fact that we've partnered with local Indigenous chefs to help make that happen and to provide our guests with the foods that come from the land and the waters of the territory.</p> <p style="margin-bottom:11px">In academia, sometimes we take food for granted and think, “Oh, it's just fuel for the body.” But in Indigenous cultures, we're taught that it's food for our mind, our body and our souls. And so we've tried to make that as fruitful as possible in this gathering, and also in everything we do in nourishing people’s minds, bodies and spirits in the work we’re doing together.</p> <p style="margin-bottom:11px"><b>Through NAISA’s </b><a href="https://www.naisa2023.ca/call-for-proposals/"><b>call for papers</b></a><b> and in your planning, did any themes for the conference emerge?</b></p> <figure role="group" class="caption caption-drupal-media align-right"> <div> <div class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/2023-05/naisa-banner-crop.jpeg" width="300" height="400" alt="Lightpost with NAISA Conference flag"> </div> </div> <figcaption><em>&nbsp;(photo by Tabassum Siddiqui)</em></figcaption> </figure> <p style="margin-bottom:11px"><i>Recollet:</i> In reaching out to our various partners – including U of T Mississauga – when we were starting to imagine what this conference would look like, some very interesting interconnections and webs started to develop, which helped the planning process quite a bit.</p> <p style="margin-bottom:11px">We knew that to determine the <a href="https://www.naisa2023.ca/welcome/">shape of our gathering</a>, we wanted to focus on Black and Indigenous relationships, on queer and Two-Spirit thought and thinking, and to acknowledge that Toronto is a very special place that has a unique relationship to water. That helped us to think through some of the main ideas and offerings we might be able to have. Drawing on our relationships with the land – and with each other – helped in mapping things out.</p> <p style="margin-bottom:11px"><b>What will be some of the highlights at this year’s conference?</b></p> <p style="margin-bottom:11px"><i>Hill:</i> One of the goals that NAISA has always tried to embody with their conferences is recognizing that the papers that get proposed and accepted are going to come from all over the place, but also making sure that there's time and space for both the people coming from other places, as well as the people from the local area, to have the opportunity to learn more about the host area.</p> <p style="margin-bottom:11px">Here in in Toronto, we've tried to be really thoughtful about the ways that we curate those particular opportunities – for example, we’ll have walking tours of our campus, OCAD University, Toronto Metropolitan University, the Art Gallery of Ontario and the Royal Ontario Museum. So, the folks who are coming to our campus from all over the world have a chance to learn about some of the things that are happening here on the ground in our city, at our universities and arts organizations.</p> <p style="margin-bottom:11px"><i>Recollet:</i> Another special moment we’ve envisioned is offering opportunities for graduate-student mentorship, where the students can sit and share a meal together and talk to each other about their work and knowledge transmission.</p> <p style="margin-bottom:11px">We’ve also curated spaces called “<a href="https://www.naisa2023.ca/care-hub/">CARE Hubs</a>” in both the buildings that are hosting the sessions, because sometimes conferences can be draining – you might need a quiet space to centre and just enjoy solitude. So those will have cots, medicines, soothing music, some magazines – spaces to relax and enjoy.</p> <p style="margin-bottom:11px">The welcome ceremony at Convocation Hall will feature singers and drummers, and we encourage everyone to visit the <a href="https://www.naisa2023.ca/conference/book-fair-market-hall-and-advertising/">book fair and market hall</a> at the Howard Ferguson Dining Hall, where more than 30 publishers and academic institutions will be set up.</p> <p style="margin-bottom:11px"><b>What do you hope attendees take away from the conference?</b></p> <p style="margin-bottom:11px"><i>Hill:</i> We hope that all our visitors will have the opportunity to engage with some amazing people who are connected within this global network and are able to walk away with a deeper understanding about the vitality and rigour of Indigenous studies.</p> <p style="margin-bottom:11px">A lot of times people think it’s just about culture, but it’s important to understand the deep knowledge that goes into the revitalization and the celebration of the cultures from which we come – and the hard work being put into creating vibrant futures for the generations to come.</p> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-home-page-banner field--type-boolean field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">News home page banner</div> <div class="field__item">Off</div> </div> Thu, 11 May 2023 20:57:30 +0000 siddiq22 301622 at Progress and the path ahead: How U of T is working towards reconciliation across its three campuses   /news/progress-and-path-ahead-how-u-t-working-towards-reconciliation-across-its-three-campuses <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Progress and the path ahead: How U of T is working towards reconciliation across its three campuses&nbsp;&nbsp;</span> <div class="field field--name-field-featured-picture field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="eager" srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/simpson-glean.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=U91RAePR 370w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_740/public/simpson-glean.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=UswDwEGJ 740w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_1110/public/simpson-glean.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=yi_4okTv 1110w" sizes="(min-width:1200px) 1110px, (max-width: 1199px) 80vw, (max-width: 767px) 90vw, (max-width: 575px) 95vw" width="740" height="494" src="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/simpson-glean.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=U91RAePR" alt="&quot;&quot;"> </div> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span>lanthierj</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2022-12-13T14:42:11-05:00" title="Tuesday, December 13, 2022 - 14:42" class="datetime">Tue, 12/13/2022 - 14:42</time> </span> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-cutline-long field--type-text-long field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Cutline</div> <div class="field__item">Shannon Simpson (L) and Jodie Glean (photos by Moussa Faddoul)</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-author-reporters field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/6863" hreflang="en">Lesa Holmes</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-topic field--type-entity-reference field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Topic</div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/topics/our-community" hreflang="en">Our Community</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-story-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/indigenous-initiatives" hreflang="en">Indigenous Initiatives</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/truth-and-reconciliation" hreflang="en">Truth and Reconciliation</a></div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p class="paragraph"><span style="vertical-align:baseline"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="overflow-wrap:break-word"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-kerning:none"><span data-contrast="auto" style="user-select:text" xml:lang="EN-CA"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="font-variant-ligatures:none !important"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">It<span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"> has</span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"> been</span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"> five years since the Ƶ was entrusted with the U of T Truth and Reconciliation Commission Steering Committee’s final report: </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.provost.utoronto.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/155/2018/05/Final-Report-TRC.pdf" style="user-select:text; -webkit-user-drag:none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent" target="_blank"><span data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink" style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="text-decoration-line:none"><span data-contrast="none" style="user-select:text" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="font-variant-ligatures:none !important">Answering the Call: </span></span></span></span><span data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink" style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">Wecheehetowin</span></span></span></span></i></span></span></span></a><span data-contrast="auto" style="user-select:text" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="font-variant-ligatures:none !important"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"> – and progress is being made <span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">in addressing its </span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">34 </span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">calls to action.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p class="paragraph"><span style="vertical-align:baseline"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="overflow-wrap:break-word"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-kerning:none"><span data-contrast="auto" style="user-select:text" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="font-variant-ligatures:none !important"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">Tasked with <span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">review</span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">ing</span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"> the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://nctr.ca/records/reports/#trc-reports" style="user-select:text; -webkit-user-drag:none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent" target="_blank"><span data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink" style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span lang="EN-US" style="text-decoration-line:none"><span data-contrast="none" style="user-select:text" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="font-variant-ligatures:none !important">final report</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></a><span data-contrast="auto" style="user-select:text" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="font-variant-ligatures:none !important"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"> and mak<span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">ing</span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"> recommendations that fall within the </span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">U of T</span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">’s mission and mandate</span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">, t</span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">he</span></span></span> <span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">steering committee</span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"> issued</span></span></span> <span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">c</span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">alls </span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">to </span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">a</span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">ction </span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">that </span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">span </span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">six categories:&nbsp; </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span data-contrast="auto" style="user-select:text" xml:lang="EN-CA"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="font-variant-ligatures:none !important"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">Indigenous <span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">s</span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">paces</span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">; Indigenous </span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">f</span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">aculty </span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">and </span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">s</span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">taff</span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">; Indigenous </span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">c</span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">urriculum</span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">; Indigenous </span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">r</span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">esearch </span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">e</span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">thics </span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">and </span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">c</span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">ommunity </span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">r</span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">elationships; Indigenous </span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">s</span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">tudents </span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">and Indigenous </span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">c</span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">o</span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">-</span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">c</span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">urricular </span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">e</span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">ducation</span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">; and </span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">i</span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">nstitutional </span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">l</span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">eadership</span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">/</span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">i</span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">mplementation</span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p class="paragraph" paraeid="{4da58aba-7e7e-44f8-83f5-63f38223e859}{127}" paraid="66367252"><span style="vertical-align:baseline"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="overflow-wrap:break-word"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-kerning:none"><span data-contrast="auto" style="user-select:text" xml:lang="EN-CA"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="font-variant-ligatures:none !important"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">In response, <span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">U of T </span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">created the Office of Indigenous Initiatives to guide and support the implementation of </span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">the</span></span></span> <span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">calls</span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">, report on institutional progress, and serve as a central resource for learning, </span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">consultation</span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"> and support to the U of T community.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p class="paragraph" paraeid="{4da58aba-7e7e-44f8-83f5-63f38223e859}{153}" paraid="113248913"><span style="vertical-align:baseline"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="overflow-wrap:break-word"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-kerning:none"><span data-contrast="auto" style="user-select:text" xml:lang="EN-CA"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="font-variant-ligatures:none !important"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><b>Shannon Simpson</b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span data-contrast="auto" style="user-select:text" xml:lang="EN-CA"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="font-variant-ligatures:none !important"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">,<span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"> senior</span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"> director, office of Indigenous initiatives, and </span></span></span><b><span data-contrast="auto" style="user-select:text" xml:lang="EN-CA"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">Jodie Glean</span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span></span></span><span data-contrast="auto" style="user-select:text" xml:lang="EN-CA"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">, executive director, equity, diversity, and inclusion, spoke to </span></span></span><i></i></span></span></span><i><span data-contrast="auto" style="user-select:text" xml:lang="EN-CA"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">U of T News</span></span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></span></span><span data-contrast="auto" style="user-select:text" xml:lang="EN-CA"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="font-variant-ligatures:none !important"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"> about their work and the </span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">u</span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">niversity’s </span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">progress in fulfilling the</span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"> steering committee’s</span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"> recommendations </span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">to date</span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <hr> <p class="paragraph" paraeid="{4da58aba-7e7e-44f8-83f5-63f38223e859}{153}" paraid="113248913"><span style="vertical-align:baseline"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="overflow-wrap:break-word"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-kerning:none"><span data-contrast="auto" style="user-select:text" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="font-variant-ligatures:none !important"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><b>If there were one or two key <span style="border-bottom:transparent; user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="background-image:var(--urlContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2, url(/taxonomy/term/5911/feed/&quot;data:image/svg+xml"><span style="background-position-x:0%"><span style="background-position-y:100%">things</span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"> you would want people to know about the </span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">u</span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">niversity’s </span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">work so far in response t</span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">o </span></span></span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https:/www.provost.utoronto.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/155/2018/05/Final-Report-TRC.pdf" style="user-select:text; -webkit-user-drag:none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent" target="_blank"><span data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink" style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="text-decoration-line:none"><span data-contrast="none" style="user-select:text" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="font-variant-ligatures:none !important">Answering the Call: </span></span></span></span><span data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink" style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">Wecheehetowin</span></span></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></a><span data-contrast="auto" style="user-select:text" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="font-variant-ligatures:none !important"><span style="border-bottom:transparent; user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="background-image:var(--urlContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2, url(&quot;data:image/svg+xml"><span style="background-position-x:0%"><span style="background-position-y:100%"><b>, what<span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"> would they be? &nbsp;</span></span></span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>__<p class="paragraph" paraeid="{4da58aba-7e7e-44f8-83f5-63f38223e859}{216}" paraid="571235327"><span style="vertical-align:baseline"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="overflow-wrap:break-word"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-kerning:none"><strong><span data-contrast="auto" style="user-select:text" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="font-variant-ligatures:none !important"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">Simpson</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></strong><span data-contrast="auto" style="user-select:text" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="font-variant-ligatures:none !important"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><b>:</b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span data-contrast="auto" style="user-select:text" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="font-variant-ligatures:none !important"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"> <span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">E</span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">stablishing the Office of Indigenous Initiatives was </span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">a </span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">huge and important </span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">first step </span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">to guide</span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"> and support</span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"> this work. This </span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">o</span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">ffice </span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">is a touch point for our communit</span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">ies</span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"> to connect with before </span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">beginning</span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"> this work. Indigenous </span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">P</span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">eople</span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">s</span></span></span> <span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">should be engaged with and brought into the </span></span></span><span style="border-bottom:transparent; user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="background-image:var(--urlContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2, url(&quot;data:image/svg+xml"><span style="background-position-x:0%"><span style="background-position-y:100%">conversation</span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"> and</span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">,</span></span></span> <span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">at the same time, we need to en</span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">sure there </span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">is a large enough team</span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"> to support the work.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>__<p class="paragraph" paraeid="{24c78cc4-64b1-4640-8639-5e3f7e782ca8}{31}" paraid="801659046"><span style="vertical-align:baseline"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="overflow-wrap:break-word"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-kerning:none"><span data-contrast="auto" style="user-select:text" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="font-variant-ligatures:none !important"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">The focus on Indigenous hiring is also key. We now have Indigenous staff<span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"> and faculty</span></span></span> <span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">across all three campuses, and there are opportunities for growth and different roles across different portfolios, which is </span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">really exciting</span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">. The </span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">number</span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"> of Indigenous faculty who have joined U of T </span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">over the past </span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">five</span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"> years </span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">has also been amazing. Dedicated funding for bringing in Indigenous staff and faculty speaks to the commitment to ensure we’re getting Indigenous people into positions and makes the </span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">u</span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">niversity </span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">a place Indigenous </span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">P</span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">eople</span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">s</span></span></span> <span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">want to be part of.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>__<p class="paragraph" paraeid="{24c78cc4-64b1-4640-8639-5e3f7e782ca8}{82}" paraid="1274681105"><span style="vertical-align:baseline"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="overflow-wrap:break-word"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-kerning:none"><strong><span data-contrast="auto" style="user-select:text" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="font-variant-ligatures:none !important"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">Glean</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></strong><span data-contrast="auto" style="user-select:text" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="font-variant-ligatures:none !important"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><b>:</b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span data-contrast="auto" style="user-select:text" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="font-variant-ligatures:none !important"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"> I <span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">also </span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">want to highlight the efforts being taken </span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">across the tri-campus</span></span></span> <span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">focus</span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">ed</span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"> on </span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">decoloniz</span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">ing</span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"> curriculum, and the</span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"> initiatives that are being implemented</span></span></span> <span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">as a result of</span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"> intentional work taking place in this area.</span></span></span> <span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">We must ensure </span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">that our commitments outlined in</span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"> <i></i></span></span></span><i><span data-contrast="auto" style="user-select:text" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">Answering the Call: </span></span></span><span style="border-bottom:transparent; user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="background-image:var(--urlSpellingErrorV2, url(&quot;data:image/svg+xml"><span style="background-position-x:0%"><span style="background-position-y:100%">Wecheehetowin</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></span><span data-contrast="auto" style="user-select:text" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"> <span style="border-bottom:transparent; user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="background-image:var(--urlAdvancedProofingIssueV2, url(&quot;data:image/svg+xml"><span style="background-position-x:0%"><span style="background-position-y:100%">are</span></span></span></span></span></span> <span style="border-bottom:transparent; user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="background-image:var(--urlAdvancedProofingIssueV2, url(&quot;data:image/svg+xml"><span style="background-position-x:0%"><span style="background-position-y:100%">front of mind at all times</span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">. They need to be </span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">visible and </span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">be </span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">a part of orientation for new folks joining the </span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">u</span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">niversity</span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"> – </span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">students, faculty, staff,</span></span></span> <span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">librarians</span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"> and leadershi</span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">p.</span></span></span>&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></span></span></span>&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>__<p class="paragraph" paraeid="{24c78cc4-64b1-4640-8639-5e3f7e782ca8}{170}" paraid="354547165"><span style="vertical-align:baseline"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="overflow-wrap:break-word"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-kerning:none"><span data-contrast="auto" style="user-select:text" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="font-variant-ligatures:none !important"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><b>In the past five years, what feedback have you heard from the U of T community about the progress made so far?&nbsp;</b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>__<p class="paragraph" paraeid="{24c78cc4-64b1-4640-8639-5e3f7e782ca8}{184}" paraid="331668151"><span style="vertical-align:baseline"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="overflow-wrap:break-word"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-kerning:none"><strong><span data-contrast="auto" style="user-select:text" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="font-variant-ligatures:none !important"><span data-ccp-parastyle="Normal (Web)" style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">Simpson</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></strong><span data-contrast="auto" style="user-select:text" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="font-variant-ligatures:none !important"><span data-ccp-parastyle="Normal (Web)" style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">:<span data-ccp-parastyle="Normal (Web)" style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"> Like anything, the feedback we hear depends on the individual’s relationship with</span></span></span><span data-ccp-parastyle="Normal (Web)" style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"> the</span></span></span> <span data-ccp-parastyle="Normal (Web)" style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">u</span></span></span><span data-ccp-parastyle="Normal (Web)" style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">niversity</span></span></span><span data-ccp-parastyle="Normal (Web)" style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">. Those who have been here for a long time can see </span></span></span><span data-ccp-parastyle="Normal (Web)" style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">the positive</span></span></span><span data-ccp-parastyle="Normal (Web)" style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"> progress. The Indigenous community here has grown and there is so much interest in other departments, divisions and units that didn’t exist</span></span></span><span data-ccp-parastyle="Normal (Web)" style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"> before</span></span></span><span data-ccp-parastyle="Normal (Web)" style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">. People are starting to realize and recognize their responsibility to do something and are more aware of what those things are.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p class="paragraph" paraeid="{24c78cc4-64b1-4640-8639-5e3f7e782ca8}{219}" paraid="1477583764"><span style="vertical-align:baseline"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="overflow-wrap:break-word"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-kerning:none"><span data-contrast="auto" style="user-select:text" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="font-variant-ligatures:none !important"><span data-ccp-parastyle="Normal (Web)" style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">Some individuals with a newer relationship with U of T are very attuned to what they want to see and want things to happen quite quickly. This can be challenging, as the process of change requires patience at times.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span>&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p class="paragraph" paraeid="{24c78cc4-64b1-4640-8639-5e3f7e782ca8}{229}" paraid="725899095"><span style="vertical-align:baseline"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="overflow-wrap:break-word"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-kerning:none"><span data-contrast="auto" style="user-select:text" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="font-variant-ligatures:none !important"><span data-ccp-parastyle="Normal (Web)" style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">From my end, I <span data-ccp-parastyle="Normal (Web)" style="border-bottom:transparent; user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="background-image:var(--urlContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2, url(/taxonomy/term/5911/feed/&quot;data:image/svg+xml"><span style="background-position-x:0%"><span style="background-position-y:100%">like</span></span></span></span></span></span><span data-ccp-parastyle="Normal (Web)" style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"> to consider how I can better communicate what is being done. How can </span></span></span><span data-ccp-parastyle="Normal (Web)" style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">I </span></span></span><span data-ccp-parastyle="Normal (Web)" style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">connect in different ways with students, for example, so they understand what is happening, how we are listening, and how we hear what they want?</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p class="paragraph" paraeid="{24c78cc4-64b1-4640-8639-5e3f7e782ca8}{243}" paraid="116914239"><span style="vertical-align:baseline"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="overflow-wrap:break-word"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-kerning:none"><strong><span data-contrast="auto" style="user-select:text" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="font-variant-ligatures:none !important"><span data-ccp-parastyle="Normal (Web)" style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">Glean</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></strong><span data-contrast="auto" style="user-select:text" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="font-variant-ligatures:none !important"><span data-ccp-parastyle="Normal (Web)" style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">: <span data-ccp-parastyle="Normal (Web)" style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">The</span></span></span><span data-ccp-parastyle="Normal (Web)" style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"> increase </span></span></span><span data-ccp-parastyle="Normal (Web)" style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">of</span></span></span><span data-ccp-parastyle="Normal (Web)" style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"> Indigenous community members</span></span></span> <span data-ccp-parastyle="Normal (Web)" style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">over the year</span></span></span><span data-ccp-parastyle="Normal (Web)" style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">s</span></span></span><span data-ccp-parastyle="Normal (Web)" style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"> is a</span></span></span><span data-ccp-parastyle="Normal (Web)" style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"> direct result of the hard work and advocacy of </span></span></span><span data-ccp-parastyle="Normal (Web)" style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">Indigenous </span></span></span><span data-ccp-parastyle="Normal (Web)" style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">P</span></span></span><span data-ccp-parastyle="Normal (Web)" style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">eoples </span></span></span><span data-ccp-parastyle="Normal (Web)" style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">and community partners</span></span></span><span data-ccp-parastyle="Normal (Web)" style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"> at the </span></span></span><span data-ccp-parastyle="Normal (Web)" style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">u</span></span></span><span data-ccp-parastyle="Normal (Web)" style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">niversity</span></span></span><span data-ccp-parastyle="Normal (Web)" style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"> – </span></span></span><span data-ccp-parastyle="Normal (Web)" style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">w</span></span></span><span data-ccp-parastyle="Normal (Web)" style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">hile recognizing that there is still much work that lies ahead in our reconciliation efforts.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p class="paragraph" paraeid="{2cfaaaa1-d89e-412b-92ee-03425590faf2}{40}" paraid="367745233"><span style="vertical-align:baseline"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="overflow-wrap:break-word"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-kerning:none"><span data-contrast="auto" style="user-select:text" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="font-variant-ligatures:none !important"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><b>As we look to the next five years, what are the key priorities or challenges you want to focus on addressing?&nbsp;</b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p class="paragraph" paraeid="{2cfaaaa1-d89e-412b-92ee-03425590faf2}{50}" paraid="331054208"><span style="vertical-align:baseline"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="overflow-wrap:break-word"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-kerning:none"><strong><span data-contrast="auto" style="user-select:text" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="font-variant-ligatures:none !important"><span data-ccp-parastyle="Normal (Web)" style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">Simpson</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></strong><span data-contrast="auto" style="user-select:text" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="font-variant-ligatures:none !important"><span data-ccp-parastyle="Normal (Web)" style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">:<span data-ccp-parastyle="Normal (Web)" style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"> I think one of the biggest challenges is keeping this in the forefront, keeping people thinking about how they’re going to move forward, what they’re going to do next, how they’re going to keep </span></span></span><span data-ccp-parastyle="Normal (Web)" style="border-bottom:transparent; user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="background-image:var(--urlContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2, url(/taxonomy/term/5911/feed/&quot;data:image/svg+xml"><span style="background-position-x:0%"><span style="background-position-y:100%">progress happening</span></span></span></span></span></span><span data-ccp-parastyle="Normal (Web)" style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">. Remembering that this work is not </span></span></span><span data-ccp-parastyle="Normal (Web)" style="border-bottom:transparent; user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="background-image:var(--urlAdvancedProofingIssueV2, url(/taxonomy/term/5911/feed/&quot;data:image/svg+xml"><span style="background-position-x:0%"><span style="background-position-y:100%">really ever</span></span></span></span></span></span><span data-ccp-parastyle="Normal (Web)" style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"> going to be done</span></span></span><span data-ccp-parastyle="Normal (Web)" style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"> –</span></span></span><span data-ccp-parastyle="Normal (Web)" style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"> the work will continue to build and be a continuation of <a href="https://indigenous.utoronto.ca/initiatives-protocols/">what we've accomplished</a>. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><em><span data-contrast="auto" style="user-select:text" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="font-variant-ligatures:none !important"><span data-ccp-parastyle="Normal (Web)" style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></em>&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p class="paragraph" paraeid="{2cfaaaa1-d89e-412b-92ee-03425590faf2}{84}" paraid="2062889953"><span style="vertical-align:baseline"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="overflow-wrap:break-word"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-kerning:none"><span data-contrast="auto" style="user-select:text" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="font-variant-ligatures:none !important"><span data-ccp-parastyle="Normal (Web)" style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">We’ve seen a lot of Indigenous faculty and staff hired, and we want to see more. We want people <span data-ccp-parastyle="Normal (Web)" style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">to not</span></span></span><span data-ccp-parastyle="Normal (Web)" style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"> be the only Indigenous staff in their department. We want there to be spaces</span></span></span><span data-ccp-parastyle="Normal (Web)" style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"> – </span></span></span><span data-ccp-parastyle="Normal (Web)" style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">indoor and outdoor</span></span></span><span data-ccp-parastyle="Normal (Web)" style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"> – </span></span></span><span data-ccp-parastyle="Normal (Web)" style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">that are </span></span></span><span data-ccp-parastyle="Normal (Web)" style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">dedicated, intentional Indigenous spaces. Making spaces that benefit all students, but also ensure that Indigenous students see themselves here, have amazing experiences here, get to work with Indigenous researchers, and participate in </span></span></span><span data-ccp-parastyle="Normal (Web)" style="border-bottom:transparent; user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="background-image:var(--urlAdvancedProofingIssueV2, url(/taxonomy/term/5911/feed/&quot;data:image/svg+xml"><span style="background-position-x:0%"><span style="background-position-y:100%">really important</span></span></span></span></span></span><span data-ccp-parastyle="Normal (Web)" style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"> work.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p class="paragraph" paraeid="{2cfaaaa1-d89e-412b-92ee-03425590faf2}{112}" paraid="969111089"><span style="vertical-align:baseline"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="overflow-wrap:break-word"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-kerning:none"><strong><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span data-contrast="auto" style="user-select:text" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="font-variant-ligatures:none !important"><span data-ccp-parastyle="Normal (Web)" style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">Glean</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></strong><span data-contrast="auto" style="user-select:text" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="font-variant-ligatures:none !important"><span data-ccp-parastyle="Normal (Web)" style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">: <span data-ccp-parastyle="Normal (Web)" style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">The EDI team will continue to work</span></span></span><span data-ccp-parastyle="Normal (Web)" style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"> with our Indigenous partners across the tri-campus. Deepening our relationships with Indigenous communities will be critical to ensure EDI work is serving the efforts to </span></span></span><span data-ccp-parastyle="Normal (Web)" style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">advance </span></span></span><span data-ccp-parastyle="Normal (Web)" style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">reconciliation. As an institution we must continue investing resources</span></span></span><span data-ccp-parastyle="Normal (Web)" style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"> in enhancing the experiences and resources available to Indigenous </span></span></span><span data-ccp-parastyle="Normal (Web)" style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">P</span></span></span><span data-ccp-parastyle="Normal (Web)" style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">eoples </span></span></span><span data-ccp-parastyle="Normal (Web)" style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">at the </span></span></span><span data-ccp-parastyle="Normal (Web)" style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">u</span></span></span><span data-ccp-parastyle="Normal (Web)" style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">niversity</span></span></span><span data-ccp-parastyle="Normal (Web)" style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">. </span></span></span><span data-ccp-parastyle="Normal (Web)" style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">We will continue working to strengthen</span></span></span><span data-ccp-parastyle="Normal (Web)" style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"> our</span></span></span><span data-ccp-parastyle="Normal (Web)" style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"> resolution supports for </span></span></span><span data-ccp-parastyle="Normal (Web)" style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">peopl</span></span></span><span data-ccp-parastyle="Normal (Web)" style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">e experiencing </span></span></span><span data-ccp-parastyle="Normal (Web)" style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">anti-Indigenous racism</span></span></span><span data-ccp-parastyle="Normal (Web)" style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"> and</span></span></span><span data-ccp-parastyle="Normal (Web)" style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"> provide</span></span></span><span data-ccp-parastyle="Normal (Web)" style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"> support in ways that are culturally relevant and </span></span></span><span data-ccp-parastyle="Normal (Web)" style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">responsive</span></span></span><span data-ccp-parastyle="Normal (Web)" style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p class="paragraph" paraeid="{2cfaaaa1-d89e-412b-92ee-03425590faf2}{170}" paraid="1973540575"><span data-ccp-parastyle="Normal (Web)" style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><i><span data-contrast="auto" style="user-select:text" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="font-variant-ligatures:none !important">This interview has been condensed. </span></span></span></span></i></span></span></span></p> <h4 class="paragraph" paraeid="{2cfaaaa1-d89e-412b-92ee-03425590faf2}{170}" paraid="1973540575"><a href="https://people.utoronto.ca/news/advancing-reconciliation/">Learn about how to engage with this work at U of T</a></h4> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-home-page-banner field--type-boolean field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">News home page banner</div> <div class="field__item">Off</div> </div> Tue, 13 Dec 2022 19:42:11 +0000 lanthierj 178538 at ‘Your ancestors walk with you’: Eagle Feather Bearers reflect on new tradition ahead of fall convocation /news/your-ancestors-walk-you-eagle-feather-bearers-reflect-new-tradition-ahead-fall-convocation <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">‘Your ancestors walk with you’: Eagle Feather Bearers reflect on new tradition ahead of fall convocation </span> <div class="field field--name-field-featured-picture field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="eager" srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/eagle-feater-collage.jpg?h=9e499333&amp;itok=aLFDTAnD 370w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_740/public/eagle-feater-collage.jpg?h=9e499333&amp;itok=38Fc_VzO 740w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_1110/public/eagle-feater-collage.jpg?h=9e499333&amp;itok=cTGR6VJC 1110w" sizes="(min-width:1200px) 1110px, (max-width: 1199px) 80vw, (max-width: 767px) 90vw, (max-width: 575px) 95vw" width="740" height="494" src="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/eagle-feater-collage.jpg?h=9e499333&amp;itok=aLFDTAnD" alt> </div> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span>lanthierj</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2022-11-03T12:25:33-04:00" title="Thursday, November 3, 2022 - 12:25" class="datetime">Thu, 11/03/2022 - 12:25</time> </span> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-cutline-long field--type-text-long field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Cutline</div> <div class="field__item">Eagle Feather Bearers are members of the U of T community and an Indigenous community. The new ceremonial role was introduced during spring convocation this year (all photos by Lisa Sakulensky)</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-author-reporters field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/authors-reporters/bianca-jimeno" hreflang="en">Bianca Jimeno</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-topic field--type-entity-reference field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Topic</div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/topics/our-community" hreflang="en">Our Community</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-story-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/convocation-2022" hreflang="en">Convocation 2022</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/eagle-feather-bearer" hreflang="en">Eagle Feather Bearer</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/indigenous-initiatives" hreflang="en">Indigenous Initiatives</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/convocation-hall" hreflang="en">Convocation Hall</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/faculty-applied-science-engineering" hreflang="en">Faculty of Applied Science &amp; Engineering</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/graduate-students" hreflang="en">Graduate Students</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/indigenous" hreflang="en">Indigenous</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/st-george" hreflang="en">St. George</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/u-t-mississauga" hreflang="en">U of T Mississauga</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/u-t-scarborough" hreflang="en">U of T Scarborough</a></div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p class="paragraph"><span style="vertical-align:baseline">The chancellor’s procession at the Ƶ’s fall convocation ceremonies will once again be led by the Eagle Feather Bearer – <a href="/news/eagle-feather-introduced-convocation-ceremonies-symbol-u-t-s-commitment-reconciliation">a ceremonial role first adopted in the spring</a> as a symbol of the university’s enduring partnership with Indigenous Peoples.</span></p> <p class="paragraph"><span style="vertical-align:baseline">As a sign of the university’s profound respect for Indigenous communities and cultures, the Eagle Feather Bearer carries a ceremonial Eagle Feather into Convocation Hall at the outset of each convocation ceremony, followed by the bedel carrying U of T’s gold-plated mace.</span></p> <p class="paragraph"><span style="vertical-align:baseline"><img alt src="/sites/default/files/C6%20Tee%20Duke.jpg" style="width: 750px; height: 499px;"></span></p> <p class="paragraph"><em>Tee Duke, director of Indigenous Initiatives at U of T Mississauga,&nbsp;leads the chancellor’s procession during a convocation ceremony in the spring&nbsp;(photo by Lisa Sakulensky)</em></p> <p class="paragraph">Nominated by their faculty or division, Eagle Feather Bearers are members of the U of T community and an Indigenous community.</p> <p class="paragraph"><span style="vertical-align:baseline">&nbsp;“The Eagle Feather, gifted to the Office of the President by U of T’s Elders Circle <a href="/news/truth-and-reconciliation-u-t">on behalf of U of T’s Truth and Reconciliation Steering Committee in 2017</a>, carries great honour, and symbolizes wisdom and respect,” said <b>Shannon Simpson</b>, director of Indigenous initiatives at the university.</span></p> <p class="paragraph"><span style="vertical-align:baseline">&nbsp;“Our Bearers are ambassadors of the community, and their presence lets Indigenous students know they matter, and they are seen.”</span></p> <p class="paragraph"><span style="vertical-align:baseline"><i>U of T News</i> spoke with three community members who were Eagle Feather Bearers during spring convocation (<a href="#List">see the full list&nbsp;below</a>). They shared their personal experiences of the role, offered words of advice and reflected on messages of hope for future generations. &nbsp;</span></p> <hr> <h3 class="paragraph"><span style="vertical-align:baseline">John Croutch&nbsp;</span></h3> <p class="paragraph"><span style="vertical-align:baseline"><i>Indigenous training co-ordinator, Office of Indigenous Initiatives</i>&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="paragraph"><em><img alt src="/sites/default/files/C21-John-Croutch-crop.jpg" style="width: 750px; height: 500px;"></em></p> <p class="paragraph"><em>(Photo by Lisa Sakulensky)</em></p> <p class="paragraph"><span style="vertical-align:baseline">“It felt bittersweet, but it was exciting and it was important to me. For too long, Indigenous people have been excluded, and to be leading the procession was a refreshing reminder that showed Indigenous Peoples have a role to play. &nbsp;<br> &nbsp;<br> Years ago, I received an Eagle Feather – one of the highest honours you can receive, because the eagle flies closest to the Creator – from Elder <b>Lillian McGregor</b>, and Lillian told me it signifies recognizing a person with vision. Vision is about asking where we are going when it comes to reconciliation, and I think it’s significant that U of T implemented this new element in recognition of Indigenous Peoples. &nbsp;<br> &nbsp;<br> I want young people who are carrying that feather to be proud of who they are and to hold their heads high – and to recognize that this is a small step, but an important step, to opening the university up for future generations to see themselves as a successful, vibrant, and important part of this country.”&nbsp;</span></p> <h3 class="paragraph"><span style="vertical-align:baseline">Kaeliana Smoke</span><span style="vertical-align:baseline"><i></i></span></h3> <p class="paragraph"><span style="vertical-align:baseline"><i>Master’s student in anthropology, U of T Mississauga<b>&nbsp;</b></i><i>&nbsp;</i></span></p> <p class="paragraph"><img alt src="/sites/default/files/C7%20Kaeliana%20Smoke.jpg" style="width: 750px; height: 499px;"></p> <p class="paragraph"><em>(Photo by Lisa Sakulensky)</em></p> <p class="paragraph"><span style="vertical-align:baseline">&nbsp;“It was an honour to be part of the ceremony, and it felt so rewarding after all the work that I’ve done over the years at U of T. At UTM, I created multiple new programs – I started the first Indigenous book club at UTM, for example – and so to be part of something new that helped increase Indigenous visibility and made us feel seen during the ceremony, and to honour the Indigenous community at U of T, it felt very on theme for me.&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="paragraph"><span style="vertical-align:baseline">&nbsp;My parents were there, and my grandparents were there. I was really proud of that moment, and I was so happy for them to be there. &nbsp;<br> &nbsp;<br> To future Eagle Feather Bearers – as you’re walking up on that stage, it’s going to feel so profound and so powerful. It’s going to feel like your ancestors walk with you, like you’re being supported by an entire U of T community behind you, and by everyone that came before you.”&nbsp;</span></p> <h3 class="paragraph"><span style="vertical-align:baseline">Jason Bazylak&nbsp;</span></h3> <p class="paragraph"><span style="vertical-align:baseline"><i>Professor in the department of mechanical &amp; industrial engineering in the Faculty of Applied Science &amp; Engineering, dean’s adviser on Indigenous initiatives</i>&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="paragraph"><img alt src="/sites/default/files/C18%2BC19%2BC20-Jason-Bazylak-crop.jpg" style="width: 750px; height: 500px;"></p> <p class="paragraph"><em>(Photo by Lisa Sakulensky)</em></p> <p class="paragraph"><span style="vertical-align:baseline">“I had a very positive experience. I thought the university was very supportive in adopting and honouring the Eagle Feather Bearer role within the ceremony. Leading the procession was symbolic of the presence of Indigenous Peoples on Turtle Island before all of this, even before the long history here at U of T.&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="paragraph"><span style="vertical-align:baseline">&nbsp;I sent a note out to my network of Indigenous colleagues around Canada and the United States to say, ‘Look what we did!’ and I was quite proud of it. A couple colleagues made a point to come out and see me and we took some selfies because they thought it was a big occasion. I was pleased to be a part of it, and I will continue to be a part of it [this fall].&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="paragraph"><span style="vertical-align:baseline">It’s always brought to light that there’s a long journey towards reconciliation, and we’re very far from that. But we still need to take the time to celebrate the accomplishments as we move along that path. And as leaders in the Indigenous community, I think it’s wonderful to be able to show – particularly our younger students and junior faculty and staff – that we are here, we are present, and we are welcome.”&nbsp;<a id="List" name="List"></a></span></p> <hr> <p class="paragraph"><i>Here is the full list of Eagle Feather Bearers who took part in spring convocation (and who are featured in the article’s main image and the photo viewer below):</i></p> <ul> <li><b>Shannon Simpson</b></li> <li><b>Miyopin Cheechoo</b></li> <li><b>Sara Wolfe</b></li> <li><b>Michael White</b></li> <li><b>Sandra Laronde</b></li> <li><b>Lisa Boivin</b></li> <li><b>Jeff Trapp</b></li> <li><b>Robin Gray</b></li> <li><b>Tee Duke</b></li> <li><b>Stacy Allison-Cassin</b></li> <li><b>Kaeliana Smoke</b></li> <li><b>Lindsey Fechtig</b></li> <li><b>Riley Yesno</b></li> <li><b>Naulaq LeDrew</b></li> <li><b>Jennifer Brant</b></li> <li><b>Mike DeGagne</b></li> <li><b>Jason Bazylak</b></li> <li><b>Jonathan Hamilton-Diabo</b></li> <li><b>John Croutch</b></li> <li><b>Juanita Muise</b></li> <li><b>Sarena Johnson</b></li> <li><b>Jaris Swidrovich</b></li> <li><b>Constance Simmonds</b></li> <li><b>Jacque Lavallee</b></li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <div class="media_embed"> <p height width>&nbsp;</p> <div class="media_embed" height width><script async height src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/publicalbum@latest/embed-ui.min.js" width></script> <div class="pa-carousel-widget" data-description="Album by Ƶ" data-link="https://photos.app.goo.gl/4cEGiTXCEeGcMpWJ8" data-title="Eagle Feather Bearers" height style="width:100%; height:480px; display:none;" width><object data="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/H5fXMoxdIs2azozMEX3B9wlH6mrFKo40amDGHnYZnmHelNoUDaW6Kap3Gl-tVWkT-6h5AcAp1TqaNPD4dALGxKkb0AV_Z7E4JGThVgMF6KvXuQ2Js9AIfxNEQnx1DhfX9FZFGsT6xw=w750-h500" data-description="Lindsey Fechtig"></object><object 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height width>&nbsp;</p> <p height width>&nbsp;</p> <p height width>&nbsp;</p> <p height width>&nbsp;</p> <p height width>&nbsp;</p> <p height width>&nbsp;</p> </div> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p class="paragraph">&nbsp;</p> <p class="paragraph">&nbsp;</p> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-home-page-banner field--type-boolean field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">News home page banner</div> <div class="field__item">Off</div> </div> Thu, 03 Nov 2022 16:25:33 +0000 lanthierj 177947 at Office of Indigenous Initiatives launched at U of T Mississauga /news/office-indigenous-initiatives-launched-u-t-mississauga <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Office of Indigenous Initiatives launched at U of T Mississauga</span> <div class="field field--name-field-featured-picture field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="eager" srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/UTM_Tee_Duke.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=TNesGX_V 370w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_740/public/UTM_Tee_Duke.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=oTfH2Qhl 740w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_1110/public/UTM_Tee_Duke.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=y38pwmed 1110w" sizes="(min-width:1200px) 1110px, (max-width: 1199px) 80vw, (max-width: 767px) 90vw, (max-width: 575px) 95vw" width="740" height="494" src="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/UTM_Tee_Duke.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=TNesGX_V" alt="Photo of Tee Duke sitting at table."> </div> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span>Christopher.Sorensen</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2022-10-11T10:44:39-04:00" title="Tuesday, October 11, 2022 - 10:44" class="datetime">Tue, 10/11/2022 - 10:44</time> </span> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-cutline-long field--type-text-long field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Cutline</div> <div class="field__item">Tee Duke, director of U of T Mississauga's Office of Indigenous Initiatives, aims to expand the university’s appeal to a broader audience from Indigenous backgrounds and foster a stronger relationship with Indigenous communities (photo by Drew Lesiuczok)</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-author-reporters field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/authors-reporters/kate-martin" hreflang="en">Kate Martin</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-topic field--type-entity-reference field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Topic</div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/topics/our-community" hreflang="en">Our Community</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-story-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/indigenous-initiatives" hreflang="en">Indigenous Initiatives</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/u-t-mississauga" hreflang="en">U of T Mississauga</a></div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>You can’t miss it&nbsp;–&nbsp;and that’s the point.</p> <p>The new tipi erected in the green space outside of&nbsp;Maanjiwe nendamowinan&nbsp;(MN)&nbsp;is part of the Ƶ Mississauga’s commitment to placemaking and raising the profile of the Indigenous community on campus.</p> <p>The tipi can also be seen from inside Maanjiwe nendamowinan, on the sixth floor where –&nbsp;less visible but no less important – U of T Mississauga has launched its first independent Office of Indigenous Initiatives (OII-UTM).</p> <p>The office was created at the suggestion of the UTM Indigenous Table, which includes <strong>Alexandra Gillespie</strong>, U of T vice-president and principal of U of T Mississauga, and is supported by&nbsp;<strong>Nythalah Baker</strong>, director of equity, diversity and inclusion. The Indigenous table meets monthly to advance Indigenous initiatives through academic and administrative streams. Early support for Indigenous initiatives at U of T Mississauga was also provided by&nbsp;<strong>Amrita Daniere</strong>, interim dean, <strong>Ulrich Krull,&nbsp;</strong>past U of T vice-president and principal of U of T Mississauga, and <strong>Susan Senese</strong>, who was previously interim chief administrative officer.</p> <p>The mandate of the new OII-UTM is to expand the university’s appeal to a broader audience from Indigenous backgrounds and foster a stronger relationship with Indigenous communities.</p> <p>Table member&nbsp;<strong>Tee Duke</strong>&nbsp;has been named as the OII-UTM’s director.</p> <p>“OII-UTM will work to support Indigenous students, staff, faculty and librarians at UTM as well as inspire future Indigenous students to a welcoming and inclusive UTM community,” says Duke, who is a member of Niisaachewan Anishinaabe Nation in Treaty 3 Territory – Northwestern Ontario. “We will continue to promote equity and inclusion of Indigenous people among students, staff, faculty, librarians and throughout the campus.</p> <p>“I know how much of a privilege it is to represent my community in various capacities. My long-term vision has always been centered on not only amplifying Indigenous community voices but increasing Indigenous presence and this can come in many forms – placemaking, language and culture to name a few.”&nbsp;</p> <p>The OII-UTM, which includes <strong>Jessica Tabak</strong>,&nbsp;Indigenous student support specialist,&nbsp;signals U of T Mississauga’s increasing commitment to&nbsp;Indigenous initiatives&nbsp;and a move forward on goals to meet the Final Report of the Steering Committee for the U of T&nbsp;Response to the Truth and Reconciliation Committee of Canada, titled&nbsp;<a href="https://www.provost.utoronto.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/155/2018/05/Final-Report-TRC.pdf"><em>Answering the Call: Wecheehetowin</em></a>.</p> <p>“Having a direct link to the VPP for the office’s mandate means we have a seat at the senior table to amplify Indigenous community voices while sharing supportive approaches on how we can continue to work together to build and maintain positive relationships with one another,” says Duke.</p> <p>Gillespie praised Duke and the new office during the October Campus Council meeting, calling it a key component in U of T Mississauga’s goal to “do better by committing to what matters most – kindness and honesty in all our relations.”</p> <p>“The change reflects UTM’s Strategic Framework [goal of] Truth, Reciprocity and Indigeneity and to centre the call to action of&nbsp;Wecheehetowin,” said Gillespie.</p> <p>Since the release of&nbsp;<em>Answering the Call: Wecheehetowin</em>&nbsp;in 2017, U of T Mississauga has strengthened its commitment to deepen reciprocal relationships with Indigenous communities.</p> <p>“This new office not only re-establishes UTM’s commitment towards the Calls to Action but emphasizes and supports the importance of autonomous Indigenous leadership,” says Duke. “I hope the new office draws more relationship-building opportunities with the broader UTM and external community because it is also an example of how we are working towards decolonization at UTM.”</p> <p>Among its many recommendations,&nbsp;<em>Wecheehetowin</em>&nbsp;(a Cree word meaning ‘working together’) urges the expansion of Indigenous spaces, faculty, staff and students, curriculum and co-curricular education, research ethics and community relationships across the university’s three campuses.</p> <p>It also encourages the expansion of leadership roles for members of the Indigenous community, and Duke says she hopes her appointment will encourage others to explore the opportunities.</p> <p>“I recognize being in this role challenges the colonial narrative while paving the way for future Indigenous leaders/roles at the institution and Indigenous leadership positions are important especially to our young people/Indigenous students,” she says. “Seeing their community members in these roles emphasizes that they can be in similar positions as well – that we are strong and resilient.”</p> <p>Duke says her initial priorities as the OII-UTM director are inspired by the Call to Action’s emphasis on using physical space to create “the right environment” to ensure the recruitment, retention and flourishing of Indigenous people on U of T’s campuses.</p> <p>“I’m hoping this school year will present us with more dedicated Indigenous spaces,” says Duke, noting U of T Mississauga already has several new Indigenous placemaking projects underway. “I do want to take the opportunity to acknowledge our achievements thus far: <a href="/news/mississaugas-credit-first-nation-opens-office-u-t-campus">Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation Office</a>, UTM Indigenous Centre tipi, UTM Indigenous Centre Gathering Space and the work the Indigenous Creation Studio, led by Director and Lead Artist&nbsp;<strong>Maria Hupfield</strong>, has been leading for fostering Indigenous Garden spaces on campus.”</p> <p>Hupfield is an assistant professor in the department of English and drama (cross-appointed to the department of visual studies)&nbsp;and holds the&nbsp;Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Digital Arts and Performance.</p> <p>The tipi, created during this fall’s annual Indigenous Orientation Meet and Greet, will be in place until April 2023&nbsp;and will be used for ceremonies, teaching and programming.</p> <p>Also on the list of OII-UTM priorities is the planning of U of T Mississauga’s inaugural Pow Wow in 2023 and&nbsp;hiring a special projects officer&nbsp;in the hopes of widening the Indigenous community’s profile on campus and deepening its relationships.</p> <p>“I am excited for what paths lie ahead for us – our community here at UTM,” says Duke. “I would like to re-emphasize that all students, staff, faculty and librarians are welcome to attend programs and events associated with the OII-UTM /Indigenous Centre, whether they are of Indigenous ancestry or not. OII-UTM will continue to work closely with the U of T/institutional Office of Indigenous Initiatives within the Division of People Strategy, Equity, and Culture and the Office of the Vice-President and Provost on institutional wide priorities to meet the goals outlined in&nbsp;<em>Answering the Call: Wecheehetowin</em>.”</p> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-home-page-banner field--type-boolean field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">News home page banner</div> <div class="field__item">Off</div> </div> Tue, 11 Oct 2022 14:44:39 +0000 Christopher.Sorensen 177408 at