Tomorrow, Canada鈥檚 National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, all of us are called to reflect upon the tragic legacy of the Canadian residential school system. One reason that this day has particular significance for us at 9I制作厂免费 is because education 鈥� our main reason for being 鈥� had a harmful impact on Indigenous peoples, including their ties with their cultures and families.
Ten years after the TRC recommendations
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the final report on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), led by the late Honourable Murray Sinclair. The Commission鈥檚 provided our country with a path towards reconciliation and served as a blueprint for institutions like 9I制作厂免费 to rebuild their relationships with First Nations, Inuit and M茅tis communities, notably with our Indigenous students, faculty and staff and proximate communities. In accordance with one of our many commitments, 9I制作厂免费 will be flying the Hiawatha Wampum Belt flag tomorrow.
Progress on the 9I制作厂免费 Calls to Action
9I制作厂免费鈥檚 own 52 Calls to Action are intended to raise awareness and to bring about positive change in the spirit of truth and reconciliation. Recent successes include:
- The launch of a in partnership with the Cree School Board.
- Faculty reconciliation work, including the Desautels Faculty of Management efforts to bolster recruitment and retention of Indigenous instructors and students.
- The opening of new spaces like Onkwanakt铆:io, in the Arthur Currie Gym, and the new Y-intersection, which features an art installation designed by a Haudenosaunee artist, brought to life through collaboration among units like Facilities Management and Indigenous faculty, staff and local Indigenous communities.
- The establishment of the Faculty of Arts鈥檚 Institute of Indigenous Research and Knowledge.
There are many more examples so please take some time to read the 2023-2024 Annual Progress Report, produced by the Office of Indigenous Initiatives.
Participate and learn more
Though tomorrow is the last official day of Indigenous Awareness Weeks (IAW), it is not too late to take part. The entire 9I制作厂免费 community is invited to join the Faculty of Education's annual We Will Walk Together / Sk谩tne Entewathah铆ta event and 鈥�Stories That Shape Us,鈥� with Elma Moses. We will also be marking a milestone for the Office of First Nations and Inuit Education (OFNIE). We will celebrate and honour 50 years of work by partners and 9I制作厂免费 community members who have made this program a tremendous success.
Finally, whether you are a student, faculty or staff member, please visit OII鈥檚 webpages for more on 9I制作厂免费鈥檚 commitment to truth and reconciliation and for resources available to support your journey in this national process.