Bianca Jimeno

‘Your ancestors walk with you’: Eagle Feather Bearers reflect on new tradition ahead of fall convocation

lanthierj — Thu, 03 Nov 2022 16:25:33 +0000

‘Your ancestors walk with you’: Eagle Feather Bearers reflect on new tradition ahead of fall convocation

lanthierj Thu, 11/03/2022 - 12:25

Cutline

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)

Bianca Jimeno

Topic

Our Community

Convocation 2022

Eagle Feather Bearer

Indigenous Initiatives

Convocation Hall

Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering

The chancellor’s procession at the ��Ƶ’s fall convocation ceremonies will once again be led by the Eagle Feather Bearer – a ceremonial role first adopted in the spring as a symbol of the university’s enduring partnership with Indigenous Peoples.

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.

Tee Duke, director of Indigenous Initiatives at U of T Mississauga, leads the chancellor’s procession during a convocation ceremony in the spring (photo by Lisa Sakulensky)

Nominated by their faculty or division, Eagle Feather Bearers are members of the U of T community and an Indigenous community.

“The Eagle Feather, gifted to the Office of the President by U of T’s Elders Circle on behalf of U of T’s Truth and Reconciliation Steering Committee in 2017, carries great honour, and symbolizes wisdom and respect,” said Shannon Simpson, director of Indigenous initiatives at the university.

“Our Bearers are ambassadors of the community, and their presence lets Indigenous students know they matter, and they are seen.”

U of T News spoke with three community members who were Eagle Feather Bearers during spring convocation (see the full list below). They shared their personal experiences of the role, offered words of advice and reflected on messages of hope for future generations.

John Croutch

Indigenous training co-ordinator, Office of Indigenous Initiatives

(Photo by Lisa Sakulensky)

“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.

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 Lillian McGregor, 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.

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.”

Kaeliana Smoke

Master’s student in anthropology, U of T Mississauga

(Photo by Lisa Sakulensky)

“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.

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.

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.”

Jason Bazylak

Professor in the department of mechanical & industrial engineering in the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering, dean’s adviser on Indigenous initiatives

(Photo by Lisa Sakulensky)

“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.

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].

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.”

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):

Shannon Simpson
Miyopin Cheechoo
Sara Wolfe
Michael White
Sandra Laronde
Lisa Boivin
Jeff Trapp
Robin Gray
Tee Duke
Stacy Allison-Cassin
Kaeliana Smoke
Lindsey Fechtig
Riley Yesno
Naulaq LeDrew
Jennifer Brant
Mike DeGagne
Jason Bazylak
Jonathan Hamilton-Diabo
John Croutch
Juanita Muise
Sarena Johnson
Jaris Swidrovich
Constance Simmonds
Jacque Lavallee

'A conversation catalyst': Play exploring gender, diversity and unconscious bias in STEM comes to U of T

Christopher.Sorensen — Tue, 20 Sep 2022 15:58:09 +0000

'A conversation catalyst': Play exploring gender, diversity and unconscious bias in STEM comes to U of T

Christopher.Sorensen Tue, 09/20/2022 - 11:58

Cutline

Gioia De Cari will be performing her one-woman show, Truth Values: One Girl’s Romp Through M.I.T’s Male Math Maze, at U of T Mississauga and Hart House on the St. George campus, with discussions to follow each performance (photo by Silvana Ximena)

Bianca Jimeno

Topic

Our Community

Equity

Faculty of Arts & Science

Transformative artist and “recovering mathematician” Gioia De Cari is bringing her one-woman show to the ��Ƶ.

“Truth Values: One Girl’s Romp Through M.I.T’s Male Math Maze” – a critically-acclaimed, award-winning play that brings more than 30 characters to life – tells the true story of De Cari’s experiences as a PhD student at MIT in 1989, and the challenges she faced as a woman in the male-dominated world of mathematics. In the 80-minute solo show, De Cari touches the topics of gender, diversity and unconscious bias in STEM with humour, insight and compassion.

The first U of T show will take place tonight at U of T Mississauga’s Theatre Erindale and will be followed by a talkback with De Cari. The talkback will be hosted by Professor Amrita Daniere, U of T Mississauga’s vice-principal, academic and dean, and moderated by Fiona Rawle, a professor, teaching stream, of biology and U of T Mississauga’s associate dean, undergraduate.

Faith Ellen and Shubhangi Saraf

On Thursday, the show will be performed at Hart House on the St. George campus and will be followed by a panel discussion featuring several U of T community members. They include: moderator Maydianne Andrade, a University Professor of evolutionary biology at U of T Scarborough; host Tamara Trojanowska; an associate professor in the department of Slavic languages and literatures and vice-dean, faculty and academic life in the Faculty of Arts & Science; Kelly Lyons, a professor in the Faculty of Information and the department of computer science; Sarah Mayes-Tang, an assistant professor, teaching stream, in the department of mathematics; and math PhD student Reila Zhang.

Tickets for both performances can be purchased on Hart House’s website.

U of T News recently spoke with the U of T shows’ organizers – Shubhangi Saraf, associate professor in the departments of mathematics and computer science, and Faith Ellen, professor in the department of computer science, about how the play came to U of T – and the crucial conversation it brings.

What is your personal connection to the play?

Saraf: I first saw the play over 10 years ago in New York City when I was doing my post-doc, and I was deeply moved. I was both an undergraduate and PhD student at MIT, so I had a personal connection. I could visualize these scenes taking place and happening around me, and it was a very moving experience. The moments felt authentic and real, and it stayed with me for many days, even years, afterward.

How did the play come to U of T?

Saraf: Our original idea was to bring the play to U of T for DCS Women, a support group started 30 years ago for female graduate students, post-docs and faculty in the department of computer science. We were brainstorming ideas of different activities for the group and I suggested the play.

I also happened to be on the math department’s equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) committee. We were brainstorming about what we could do to educate and bring awareness to the math community about the issues women and other minorities face in the department. I brought up the possibility of bringing the Truth Values play to U of T and the rest of the EDI members were super enthusiastic about it and extremely supportive of making it happen.

Each performance will include an open forum afterwards. Why is discussion on this topic so important?

Ellen: De Cari often has talkback sessions after her performances, and it is a wonderful thing. Because the issues of gender equity and unconscious bias in STEM are so central to the play, it becomes a conversation catalyst.

I think it’s important for people to understand, historically, how hard it was for women to succeed in mathematics and, more broadly, in STEM. There are also barriers that still exist for women and underrepresented groups. I hope people will be able to look at their own situation, compare, and learn from that by taking the historical context and putting it into their current lives.

What do you hope to achieve with the event? What do you hope audiences will take away?

Ellen: The play portrays examples of ‘microaggressions’ and I think it’s really important to be aware of the effect they can have on people. I hope this piece of theatre will allow audiences to really experience it from De Cari’s point of view and understand why these affected her so much.

We also hope the play will create better awareness about the kinds of biases some members of their communities face and encourage them to create a more supportive and inclusive atmosphere within their circles.

In photos: U of T community honours the fallen during virtual Remembrance Day ceremonies

Christopher.Sorensen — Thu, 12 Nov 2020 00:30:14 +0000

In photos: U of T community honours the fallen during virtual Remembrance Day ceremonies

Christopher.Sorensen Wed, 11/11/2020 - 19:30

Cutline

Muntaka Ahmed, president of the ��Ƶ Students' Union, participates in a physically distanced Remembrance Day ceremony on the St. George campus that was livestreamed to the public (photo by Johnny Guatto)

Topic

St. Michael's College

U of T Mississauga

U of T Scarborough

University College

At the 11th hour, on the 11th day, of the 11th month, the ��Ƶ community came together virtually to honour those who fell in the First and Second World Wars and other conflicts.

On the St. George campus, a physically distanced Service of Remembrance took place at Soldiers’ Tower and was livestreamed to the public.

With the sun shining, U of T President Meric Gertler, Chancellor Rose Patten and Governing Council Chair Claire Kennedy joined representatives of U of T alumni, students and faculty in laying wreaths in honour of the fallen.

Ann Urquhart Knopf, daughter of alumnus Lt.-Col. Gerhard Knopf, also laid a wreath and delivered a moving recitation of the wartime poem In Flanders Fields, written by University College and Temerty Faculty of Medicine alumnus Lt.-Col. John McCrae.

Like many Remembrance Day events across the country, the annual services at U of T’s three campuses were altered this year to respect public health guidelines and protect the health and safety of the community during the COVID-19 pandemic. The safety measures included masked attendees, Plexiglas barriers and pre-recorded hymns and anthems.

At U of T Mississauga, a livestream ceremony featured opening remarks by Vice-President and Principal Alexandra Gillespie, while U of T Scarborough’s virtual service included Vice-President and Principal Wisdom Tettey as well as faculty, staff, alumni and community representatives. The archived ceremonies can be watched here (St. George, U of T Mississauga, U of T Scarborough).

Nearly 30 wreaths were laid in advance of the St. George ceremony on behalf of government representatives and campus community groups, including campus police, student unions and councils. A virtual wreath display was also created.

In honour of this year’s 75^th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, the St. George service paid special tribute to St. Michael’s College alumnus Lt.-Col. John Anthony Clancy, a 1940 engineering graduate who was one of thousands of U of T alumni who fought overseas and distinguished himself in the fight for the liberation of Europe.

Here is a snapshot of how U of T paid its respects to the fallen while respecting COVID-19 public health guidelines:

Participants in the livestreamed Remembrance Day ceremony at Soldiers’ Tower observe physical distancing guidelines (photo by Johnny Guatto)

The Remembrance Day service on the St. George campus, although closed to in-person spectators, was livestreamed to the public (photo by Johnny Guatto

Participants in U of T Scarborough’s virtual Remembrance Day ceremony observe a moment of silence (image via U of T Scarborough)

U of T President Meric Gertler lays a wreath at Soldiers’ Tower on the St. George campus (photo by Johnny Guatto)

The bagpipes are played behind a Plexiglass barrier (photo by Johnny Guatto)

Alexandra Gillespie, vice-president and principal of U of T Mississauga, took part in a virtual Remembrance Day ceremony that was streamed on Microsoft Teams (image courtesy of U of T Mississauga)

The national anthem is played by the UTSC concert band during at U of T Scarborough’s virtual Remembrance Day ceremony (image courtesy of U of T Scarborough)

Nearly 30 wreaths were laid in advance of the St. George ceremony on behalf of government representatives and campus community groups (photo by Johnny Guatto)

A wreath is laid on behalf of the ��Ƶ community (photo by Johnny Guatto)

With prof profiles and course ‘trailers,’ U of T ‘s Munk School gives students a peek at the fall semester

Christopher.Sorensen — Wed, 12 Aug 2020 18:28:55 +0000

With prof profiles and course ‘trailers,’ U of T ‘s Munk School gives students a peek at the fall semester Christopher.Sorensen Wed, 08/12/2020 - 14:28

Topic

Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy

Economics

Faculty of Arts & Science

Graduate Students

Political Science

A new video series gives incoming students at the ��Ƶ’s Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy the inside scoop on their online courses – and their professors, too.

The school is posting a new video “trailer” each week so Master of Global Affairs (MGA) and Master of Public Policy students can learn more about course formats, goals and outcomes – effectively an oral syllabus delivered in a professor’s own words.

This week’s feature is Statistics for Global Affairs, a course for first-year MGA students taught by Paola Salardi, an assistant professor, teaching stream. Other featured courses include Decision Making and Strategy in the Global System, Microeconomics for Global Affairs and Microeconomics for Policy Analysis.

“You’ll be working both individually and in teams and assessed in a variety of different assignments, and this is because I strongly believe that everyone learns in many different ways,” Salardi says in the video. “And so, you should be exposed to different experiences, to strengthen both hard and soft skills.”

Students also have an opportunity to learn more about the faculty who will be teaching their courses – as people, not just professors – thanks to a series of behind-the-scenes video profiles. In Salardi’s case, students can sit down with the applied economist and director of the Trudeau Centre for Peace, Conflict and Justice in her backyard as she answers questions about where she’s from, what her one superpower would be (hint: she has no interest in recognizing the bounds of time and space) and what students can expect from her.

A new Munk professor will be profiled each week – whether it’s taking a stroll through High Park with Associate Professor Jonathan Craft’s five-year-old Bernedoodle, Winston, or mastering how to crack open a soft-boiled egg with Associate Professor Stephan Heblich’s German kitchen utensil.

“These videos offer students a chance to get to know their professors as people and to feel connected to U of T, regardless of where they are based,” says Kristen Ligers, the Munk School's director, programs.

The faculty profiles, course trailers and Welcome to Munk School videos are all part of the Munk School’s larger effort to connect with students. Other initiatives allow incoming students to meet one another during virtual coffee chats, connect with alumni to ask about their experiences in the program and engage with second-year student mentors.

“We hope that incoming students will see that staff, faculty and upper-year students are excited to welcome them to the Munk School and are committed to providing a positive learning experience this fall,” Ligers says.

Bianca Jimeno

‘Your ancestors walk with you’: Eagle Feather Bearers reflect on new tradition ahead of fall convocation

John Croutch

Kaeliana Smoke

Jason Bazylak

'A conversation catalyst': Play exploring gender, diversity and unconscious bias in STEM comes to U of T

Read more about the play at the Faculty of Arts & Science

In photos: U of T community honours the fallen during virtual Remembrance Day ceremonies

With prof profiles and course ‘trailers,’ U of T ‘s Munk School gives students a peek at the fall semester