Events

Red Dress Day, also known as the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and Two-Spirit People (MMIWG2S), is observed on May 5th. The day honours and brings awareness to the thousands of Indigenous women, girls and two-spirit people who have been subject to disproportionate violence in Canada. MMIWG2S is a human rights crisis of gender-based and racialized violence in Canada.

On May 5, 2023 2:00pm – 3:00pm, please join us on the B.C. Matthews Hall (BMH) Green as Elder Myeengun Henry leads a ceremony of commemoration. This event is intended to provide a safe space for UWaterloo community members to gather in honour and remembrance of MMIWG2S people, acknowledge the families of lost and missing relatives, and raise awareness of this ongoing crisis in Canada.

*Elder Henry is asking for a student volunteer to act as Firekeeper during this event. If interested, please email indigenousrelations@uwaterloo.ca.

To learn more about MMIWG2S, please read: “Reclaiming Power and Place” The final report of the National inquiry into missing and murdered Indigenous Women and girls.

Calling all First Natons, Metis, and Inuit students, staff, and faculty at UWaterloo!

In recognition of our commitments to Reconciliation, Decolonization, and Indigenization, the Office of Indigenous Relations and University Relations is embarking on a project to find different ways to represent Indigeneity in the University of Waterloo logo. Our current shield, which dates to 1961, uses the official colours of gold, black and white with double chevrons and three red lions.

According to our brand website: “The imagery is derived from the coats of arms of two historic figures connected to Waterloo Region — Lord Kitchener and the Duke of Wellington. The colours reflect the Germanic heritage of the Region.” - https://uwaterloo.ca/brand/how-express-our-brand/waterloo-logo

Recognizing that this erases historical and contemporary Indigenous life on the territory that the University of Waterloo now occupies, this logo project will seek to commission Indigenous artists to create different interpretations of the logo that will be made available in official branding packages on the branding website for anyone at UWaterloo to use in their presentations and communications materials.

This consultation is the initial step towards the addition of Indigenous logo options at UWaterloo, and we need your insight and creativity! Snacks and beverages will be provided!

Please register at https://www.ticketfi.com/event/5083/uwaterloo-indigenous-logo-creative-consult

If you have any questions, please email indigenousrelations@uwaterloo.ca

Hosted by the UWaterloo School of Planning, the inaugural Futures Forum will focus on opportunities and challenges of public engagement, as viewed through the lens of technological, socio-economic, and political changes. 

Moderator & Host:

Markus Moos, MCIP RPP, Professor & Director, School of Planning, University of Waterloo

Confirmed guests for networking include:

Brandon Gaffoor, Manager - Property Acquisitions, Ontario Line, Metrolinx

Justine Giancola, Partner, Dillon Consulting Limited

Tanya Roberts, Project Manager (Planning), Planning Division, City of Kitchener

Matt Rodrigues, Senior Planner, WSP

Jay Pitter, International Placemaker; Author; Planner-in-Residence (2021-2022) and Adjunct Professor, School of Planning

Tristan Wilkin, Principal Planner, Housing Services, Region of Waterloo

Michael Witmer, Senior Development Planner, City of Guelph

Vitumbiko Mhango, Senior Project Manager, Parks Development, City of Toronto

And More!

To learn more and to register, please visit https://uwaterloo.ca/planning/events/futures-forum-2023-public-engagement-technology.

We are excited to share an upcoming webinar from The Decolonizing UW Health Studies Collaborative:

The Decolonizing UW Health Studies Collaborative invites you to join our Spring webinar. Expert & Acolyte: Finding Ways to Cultivate Curiosity and Respect in Learning and Clinical Contexts by Dr. Chase McMurren. Together, we will explore culturally humble approaches to teaching and providing clinical care. We will also consider the value of our own self-awareness and ways we can sit with discomfort while acknowledging inherent power dynamics that exist in teaching and practicing. This webinar is happening live on Zoom June 5^th, 2023 from 12:00-1:00pm. Register on Eventbrite at: https://expert_acolyte.eventbrite.com .

Photo by Stef & Ethan.

Hosted by the Inclusive Research Team at the University of Waterloo

The First Nations principles of OCAP® establish how First Nations’ data and information will be collected, protected, used, or shared. Standing for ownership, control, access and possession, OCAP® is a tool to support strong information governance on the path to First Nations data sovereignty. Given the diversity within and across Nations, the principles will be expressed and asserted in line with a Nation’s respective world view, traditional knowledge, and protocols. For more information, please visit: https://fnigc.ca/ocap-training/ 

To register, please visit https://forms.office.com/r/kJTsUxNTn2

For any additional questions or clarification, please reach out to Sara Anderson at sara.anderson@uwaterloo.ca. 

Please note the webinar link will be emailed closer to the date of the event. 

The Seven Grandfather Teachings: Debwewin (Truth), Zoongidi’ewin (Courage), Manaaji’idiwin (Respect), Gwayakwaadiziwin (Integrity), Zaagi’idiwin (Love), Nibwaakaawin (Wisdom), Dabasendizowin (Humility) are guiding principles that the Anishinaabeg live by in order to live Mino Bimaadiziwin (a good life).

Please join the Office of Indigenous Relations in welcoming James Vukelich Kaagegaabaw for a virtual talk about The Seven Grandfather Teachings, how these teachings are reflected in Anishinaabemowin (the Ojibwe language), and how we are guided by the seven generations before and after us. 

Join the Faculty of Health for a free Indigenous movie night on Thursday, June 8, in the Sunlife Auditorium (LHI 1621).  

Doors open at 5:00 p.m. (EST) 

Movie starts at 5:30 p.m. (EST)

*No cost. Popcorn will be provided. Everyone is welcome, no registration required! 

We will be watching a dystopian horror film called 'Night Raiders' which features the work of Cree Métis writer and director, Danis Goulet. This thriller delves into Canada's history of residential schools and assimilation of Indigenous children by following the futuristic story of a Cree daughter forcibly taken away from her mother to join a forced-education camp. Luckily, her mother joins a group of Cree vigilantes. Is she able to get her daughter back? Join us to find out!

Content advisory: This film contains scenes that may be disturbing to some viewers, especially those who are victims of harm, abuse, violence and/or intergenerational trauma. Viewer discretion is advised.

Questions? Email: health.indigenousinitiatives@uwaterloo.ca

Want to check out the trailer? Click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_MAEu5k4kI

Join Dr. Kayla  Murphy and Robin Stadelbauer from the Office of Indigenous Relations to learn all about land and territorial acknowledgements.  In this one-hour discussion we will cover:

• What are acknowledgements?
• Why should or shouldn’t acknowledgements be done? 
• What should be included in an acknowledgement?
• Who should say them?
• Tips on how you can prepare an acknowledgement for yourself, your team and/or your department.

We will provide you with a worksheet and resources to enhance what you will learn in the discussion and as you begin or enhance your work in understanding and preparing acknowledgements.

To register, please visit https://www.ticketfi.com/event/5109/dr-kayla-murphy-and-robin-stadelbauer-land-and-territorial-acknowledgements.

Faculty, staff, and students are invited to attend a ceremony to renew our commitment to Indigenous reconciliation throughout the Faculty of Health.  

Our signature commitment is one of several initiatives the Faculty will be undertaking in response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada findings and calls to actions. Light refreshments will be served in the Expansion building after the ceremony.

For all UWaterloo First Nations, Métis, and Inuit students, staff, and faculty!

This year on National Indigenous Peoples Day (June 21), the Office of Indigenous Relations welcomes you to spend time with the UWaterloo Indigenous community. Enjoy soup and frybread tacos, bring your favorite crafts to work on, play some games, jam out to some deadly tunes, and connect with other beautifully Indigenous people! This is a day of celebrating ourselves and each other in a space that is created for you. If you haven't had the chance to check out the new OIR space, please do. The talented Braedon Dixon-Bolen (OIR Co-op student for the spring term) has also generously agreed to teach us how to make cedar bath bombs! We look forward to seeing you and spending some time together. ALL UWaterloo First Nations, Métis, and Inuit students, staff, and faculty welcome!