**Notice of Office Closure**
The Office of Indigenous Relations will be closed from December 4th-8th due to construction and staff will be working remotely, available via email. Please contact indigenousrelations@uwaterloo.ca if you require our assistance.
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 co-ordinated within the Office of Indigenous Relations.
Learn how to pronounce Anishinaabeg.
Learn how to pronounce Haudenosaunee.
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.
November is Indigenous Disability Awareness Month
Indigenous peoples of Canada experience a disability rate significantly higher than that of the general population. Indigenous Disability Awareness Month (IDAM) brings awareness of these barriers and the issues that Indigenous peoples living with disabilities and their families face every day. More importantly though, in spite of these barriers, IDAM celebrates the achievements of Indigenous peoples living with disabilities and recognize the significant and valuable contributions they make to our communities socially, economically, and culturally every day.
Explore the events being hosted to honour and celebrate IDAM
November is Indigenous Disability Awareness Month, a time to celebrate the achievements and valuable social, economic and cultural contributions made by Indigenous persons with disabilities in Canada.
University of Waterloo Indigenous Commitment Ceremony
News
Employee Equity Census
The annual Employee Equity Census is now open. All employees are asked to complete this confidential census at their earliest convenience. It will only take a few minutes and can be accessed through Workday by following these instructions, then clicking on the following link: https://wd3.myworkday.com/uwaterloo/d/task/2997$12683.htmld
If you have completed the census, thank you for taking this opportunity to help shape equity-based initiatives across the University. Please spread the word and encourage your colleagues to participate, too! For more information about this initiative, please visit the Equity Data Strategy website or email analyusis@uwaterloo.ca.
Welcome Emily Brant-Inclusive Communications Manager, Indigenous Relations!
Please join us in welcoming Emily Brant-Inclusive Communications Manager, Indigenous Relations!
Emily Brant (she/her) is a Kanyen’kehà:ka (Mohawk) communications manager, author, and speaker from Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory. She works at the intersections of communication, personal development, and decolonization. Emily is passionate about empowering and supporting Indigenous peoples to live their most soul-fulfilling and authentic life, in a way that honours their roots and their truest self.
Emily started her new role on campus yesterday. She will work closely with the OIR team, spending time both in the Office of Indigenous Relations and the University Relations space. Emily is responsible for writing and developing a wide range of communication products in support of the University’s strategic objectives, specifically supporting the Office of Indigenous Relations and other strategic communications at the University of Waterloo.
We are happy you are here, Emily!
Waterloo Welcomes an Eagle Staff
On March 27, the University of Waterloo community came together to welcome an Eagle Staff to our institution. The day began with a Sunrise Ceremony followed by a formal introduction ceremony held at Federation Hall. The ceremony began with drumming from the Cedar Hill Singers and a procession, followed by a prayer of thanks led by Elder Bill Woodworth. Indigenous Knowledge Keeper, Elder Myeengun Henry, introduced the sacred Eagle Staff on behalf of the University’s Indigenous community, marking an important step in Waterloo’s journey towards reconciliation.
Read the full story from Waterloo News.