Thank you for visiting the Office of Indigenous Relations. We work collaboratively on and off-campus to advance the goals of the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action, creating a long-term vision for the University, grounded in decolonization. Explore this website to learn more about our work and the ongoing Indigenous relations at UWaterloo. Connect with us at https://linktr.ee/uwaterlooindigenous
University of Waterloo Territorial Acknowledgement
The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research, learning, teaching, and community building, and is centralized within the Office of Indigenous Relations.
Stay Connected with our Seasonal Newsletter
Sign-up for Indigenous Connections, our seasonal newsletter and we will keep you up-to-date on what we are working on, ways you can engage with our office, and provide resources to strengthen and apply your knowledge. Read our latest edition here.
University of Waterloo Indigenous Commitment Ceremony
Events
Indigenous Beading Workshop
The Faculty of Health is hosting an Indigenous Beading workshop with Emma Anderson. Participants will learn some basic beading skills and will complete a beaded keychain during the workshop. No prior experience necessary. Come learn a new skill, enjoy good company, and have fun!
The workshop is free and all supplies are provided but space is limited and registration is required.
To register, please visit https://uwaterloo.ca/health/events/indigenous-beading-workshop
News
Indigenous Advisory Circle Student Representative Call Out
Are you a First Nations, Métis, or Inuit student at the University of Waterloo? We need your voice!
The Office of Indigenous Relations is seeking one Undergraduate student and one Graduate student to join the Indigenous Advisory Circle.
In this role you will be asked to provide your input and feedback regarding Indigenous initiatives across campus. You will be joining a circle of Indigenous staff, faculty, alum, community members and Elders in discussions that inform the work of decolonization and Indigenization across campus. This is an opportunity to share from your personal experience and perspective as a student. You will contribute to the growth and strengthening of the Indigenous landscape at UWaterloo.
We are asking for a commitment of one year as a Circle member, which includes a minimum of four meetings seasonally that are 1.5 – 2 hours in length, as well as consideration to participate in other Indigenous Advisory Circle activities such as events and community meetings. Financial compensation will be provided for your valuable time and important input.
If interested, please send us an email at indigenousrelations@uwaterloo.ca and share a bit about yourself, including why you are interested in joining the Circle. If you have any questions about the Indigenous Advisory Circle we are always happy to chat with you.
We will review all expressions of interest Friday, January 13th, 2023.
We look forward to hearing from you! Miigwech/ Nia:wen.
*The people accepting these roles must be First Nations, Métis, or Inuit*
Global Map the System 2023 Competition Now Open
We are pleased to let you know that registration for the Global Map the System 2023 competition is now open. Students have until January 31, 2023, to register for this competition for a chance to win up to $2,000 in cash prizes and compete at the virtual Canadian Final and Global Final at Oxford University, UK. In Map the System, students learn how to explore, probe, and research complex social or environmental issues, using Systems Thinking tools and approaches. This competition is open to both undergrad and grad students.
For more information, students can visit our website and check out Student Resources.
Introducing CTE's Indigenous Knowledges and Anti-Racism team
In November 2021, CTE hired Leslie Wexler as a Senior Educational Developer in Indigenous Knowledges and Anti-Racist (IKAR) Pedagogies, followed some months later by Nahannee Schuitemaker, Madison Hill, and Jessica Rumboldt who work in more specific areas of IKAR. Having now settled into their individual positions and developed into a distinct five-person team, which includes Savannah Sloat, Manager of Indigenous Initiatives in the Faculty of Science, we asked each of them to share their role, current area of focus, and vision for the future of IKAR at Waterloo.