Tuesday, June 4, 2024

Waterloo recognizes National Indigenous History Month

A message from Jean Becker, Associate Vice President, Office of Indigenous Relations.

June is National Indigenous History Month, and on June 21 we celebrate Indigenous People’s Day, also known to some as the summer solstice.   

We cannot talk about National Indigenous History Month, nor can we celebrate First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples without acknowledging the historical and ongoing impacts of colonialism in this country. The work of decolonization and reconciliation is a responsibility we all share. May this month serve as a reminder to us all that relationship building, truth telling and (re)indigenizing is a priority that the University has committed to and that I invite you to commit to on a personal level as well.   

I continue to be grateful for the University of Waterloo’s dedication to fostering enduring, respectful relationships with Indigenous Peoples. Last year we launched the University of Waterloo Indigenous Strategic Plan 2023-2028, which charts a course towards indigenizing and decolonizing the institution. Aligned with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, this plan outlines steps for the University’s transformation. This plan is for all of us to utilize as a guidepost in our respective fields of study and work.   

Throughout June, we have an array of engaging events planned to honour National Indigenous History Month, including an exciting concert of Indigenous music and collaboration happening on June 17 at Federation Hall. This event is first and foremost for First Nations, Inuit and Métis folks here in this community to come enjoy an evening of connection, community and celebrating the beauty of our cultures and heritage. We are pleased to share and host an array of events this month, and highlight some incredible stories of indigenization on campus which you can learn more about on the Office of Indigenous Relations website.

Our mission as always for June and beyond is to progress from rhetoric to meaningful, tangible actions on our collective journey towards reconciliation and decolonization.

Reminder: Inclusive Research webinar will review the Decolonial Rs of Research

A message from the Office of the Vice-President, Research and International.

The Indigenous Research Team is hosting The Decolonial “R’s” of Research: Principled Approaches to Engaging Indigenous Communities on Tuesday, June 11 from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Indigenous communities often experience extractive research methods when they are approached by non-Indigenous scholars from western post-secondary institutions. While there has been a shift in understanding and research ‘best practices’ in recent years, it is also important to highlight that Indigenous scholars and community advocates have long championed a principled approach to working with Indigenous communities.

This presentation will cover highlights of deceptively simple concepts theorized by Indigenous scholars for community-engaged research projects—known as the “Decolonial “R’s” of Research”—and together, we will consider their expansive meanings and implications in a typical university-based research project lifecycle. 

Please register to receive the Zoom link to participate.

June: Inclusive Research Resource Hub

The Hub is a resource library of important documents focused on EDI, Accessibility, and Indigenous Research to support the UWaterloo community as they integrate these considerations into their research designs and teams. The Hub was created as part of the Inclusive Research Team’s commitment to ongoing development and capacity building to support equitable and inclusive research practices.

This month’s feature highlights a resource created by the Indigenous Research Team: Building Respectful Research Relationships with Indigenous Communities.

Resources:

• Inclusive Resource Hub
• Our website

For more information or questions, please reach out to Indigenous.Research@uwaterloo.ca.

Antagonism and Intimidation Series culminates in international conference on June 27-28

By Megan McGarry.

The very purpose of a university is to provide an environment that is fully equipped to pursue truth and understanding; to inspire those who are curious to ask more questions in a collective effort to advance the catalogue of knowledge; to support the journey for those who have bold ideas – from spark to finish; to embrace the community so that everyone can be their authentic selves, work to their full potential, and enrich our University with their insights and experiences.

For many, these are not debatable statements; however, members of the University of Waterloo community have been subjected to personal threats, cyberbullying, and other forms of antagonism and intimidation because of upholding these principles.

Why is this happening and what can we do about it? This was a question of significant importance in the wake of a hate-motivated attack on a Gender and Social Justice class in Hagey Hall, which took place on June 28, 2023. It was a question that inspired the creation of the Antagonism and Intimidation in Academia Speaker Series: a joint initiative organized by the Faculty of Arts and the Office of Research. Professor Suzan Ilcan, University Research Chair and Special Advisor on Interdisciplinary Research, is the lead organizer.

Though the scholars’ work represents a broad range of research topics, they all shared an experience of oppositional response to their work. Dr. Kimberly Lopez spoke of the “thrum of fear, discomfort and uncertainty” she experiences because of teaching about topics like climate change, employment, poverty, and substance use. Dr. Lisbeth Berbary said that speaking about certain topics in the current climate of mis- and disinformation is an act of activism, and that this “activist scholarship in teaching… now makes us deeply vulnerable, putting us at greater risk for discipline, cancelling, grievance and violence.”

Some spoke of seemingly benign eye-rolling and book slamming by students, others of office doors being vandalized. Some spoke of ceasing to speak publicly about their research for years, others about giving up on checking voicemail or using X (formerly Twitter) altogether. One spoke of being publicly harassed at her child’s school and fearing for their safety.

Dr. Charmaine B. Dean, Vice-President, Research and International, spoke at the panel discussions, reiterating that a core goal of the series was to bring to light the hostility faced in the pursuit of knowledge and the importance of developing effective counter strategies: “We need to work harder to facilitate discussion on subjects that challenge systems and have good discourse to move forward as a community.” Dr. Nancy Waite reiterated this message during the third panel discussion when she said that “it’s only through sharing those experiences, and learning from them, that we truly will move forward.”

The speaker series will culminate in an international conference entitled “From Targeting in Academia to Promoting Trust and Understanding,” which takes place at Federation Hall on June 27 and 28. This two-day event features 48 local, national and international presenters and focuses on how we engage in cooperative and valuable conversations, share tools or approaches that are working well, and cultivate critical thinking skills, openness, academic freedom, and freedom of expression. Registration closes on June 10 – register today.

Honk! Honk! Announcing our goose art contest winner

A message from Advancement.

The votes are in, and after a wild goose chase that came down to the wire, we're thrilled to announce our grand champion: Sara Davis from Co-operative and Experiential Education.

Sara's beautiful, creative and detailed depiction of a Canada goose truly captured the Waterloo spirit and the hearts of their feathered colleagues.

Thank you to everyone who sent in a submission and the the humon-goose number (almost 400) people who voted!

The egg-cellent entries we received were a true testament to the talent and spirit of our faculty, staff and retirees. This kind of community connection is what makes the University of Waterloo such a special place, and it directly fuels our passion for helping it thrive.

While the contest was all about fun, our faculty, staff and retirees play a vital role in supporting every aspect of our University. Birds of a feather flock together, so in the spirit of community, I hope you will choose to make a gift as part of the Faculty, Staff and Retiree Giving Program.

P.S. The Waterloo Fund allows the University to direct resources where they're needed most, plus every contribution is used in the year it is made, ensuring Waterloo continues to soar (like those migrating geese come fall).

A Coming Home for Beer & Bites

Alumni and friends from Conrad Grebel attending Beer & Bites 2024.

By Rebecca Wagner.

As the University of Waterloo welcomed alumni back to campus for the annual Alumni Weekend, a smaller, more intimate gathering of alumni and friends was happening across the creek.  

It was a coming home for local craft brews, delicious gourmet homemade bites, a reliving of memories and a making of new experiences.     

For the second year in a row, all four University Colleges at the University of Waterloo joined forces to host a beer tasting walking tour of Renison, St. Jerome’s, Conrad Grebel and United College. 

This was a coming home of former dons and student leaders who formed life-long friendships, graduates from the 1960’s to the 2020’s, current graduate building residents, a mother-daughter duo, former roommates, and several alumni who met their partners while living in residence.  

The University Colleges are uniquely positioned to offer such an event, where small groups of alumni come together to rekindle the sense of community they developed during their time on campus. 

Alumni and friends from St. Jerome’s attending Beer & Bites 2024.

Reasons for attending ranged from: “I wanted to kick-off Alumni Weekend in style!”  “I was excited to see what has changed on campus over the last 40 years since I graduated.”  “Last year was so much fun I just had to do it again!” to “It’s my birthday today – what better way to celebrate.” 

Alumni and friends had the opportunity to explore University Colleges they hadn’t previously visited. “I’ve never been to Renison before! Their dining room looks like Hogwarts!” “Wasn’t there a St. Paul’s previously? Did their name change to United?”  

Stories were shared, and memories relived. Four alumni from Renison who formed a lasting friendship over a decade ago reminisced about a time when they were all on Don duty on St. Patrick’s Day, when a lively volleyball game launched on Renison’s outdoor court.  As students made their way back to campus from beer-fueled festivities, the game swelled until dozens of students were either playing or cheering on their roommates.  “I remember finding sand in my residence room for weeks after that game,” recalled one alumnus.  

Alumni and friends from Renison attending Beer & Bites 2024.

The post-graduation journeys of attendees took them to new places and spaces. Some are professors, mathematicians, engineers, social entrepreneurs, social workers, technical writers, University of Waterloo faculty and staff, and an Associate Dean of Engineering.   

Out into all corners of the world they went, and back home to campus they came, back to where it all began. 

That’s the thing about a tight-knit community. It will always feel like home, and it will pull you back, year after year, for tasty bites and brews.

Alumni and friends from United College attending Beer & Bites 2024.