Events

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

Indigenization. Equity, inclusivity, and Anti-Racism. Health and wellness. Sustainability. What do these goals have in common? 

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a valuable framework for highlighting the intersections between social justice, environmental sustainability, and economic prosperity. While we often approach them separately, there is a growing understanding that these goals cannot be achieved in isolation, and that interconnected approaches are needed.

This panel discussion will bring together voices from the Office of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Anti-Racism (EDI-R), the Office of Indigenous Relations, Campus Wellness, and the Sustainability Office at the University of Waterloo. Together, the panelists will discuss how the work across these four portfolios connects, how work across and between teams can be mutually supporting, and how our campus community can continue to create meaningful impact together.

To learn more and to register, please visit: https://uwaterloo.ca/sustainability/events/accelerating-progress-through-collaboration-panel-discussion

The University of Waterloo is honoured to welcome an Eagle Staff to our institution. Indigenous Knowledge Keeper Myeengun Henry will introduce this sacred item, on behalf of the UWaterloo Indigenous campus community.

An Eagle Staff is an important element of the Indigenous relationship to mother earth and those that have protected it. The Staff reflects the wisdom, strength, and honour of those that carry it in representation of Nations across Turtle Island.

This Eagle Staff will be present at ceremonies and celebrations, such as convocation, representing University of Waterloo First Nations, Métis and Inuit community members, their traditions, cultures, and strengths.

Through the introduction of the Eagle Staff, the University of Waterloo honours the responsibility to take on Indigenous perspectives, ensuring that they are reflected in the governance, structure, and intent of the University. A symbol of Indigenous acknowledgement, the Eagle Staff will serve as a beacon of reconciliation throughout our shared future.

Location: Federation Hall
Date: Monday, March 27, 2023
Time: 10:00 a.m.

A sunrise ceremony will take place at 7:00 a.m. outside of Federation Hall

The entire university community is invited to participate in this meaningful ceremony as we welcome the Eagle Staff.

The ceremony is expected to take up to 90 minutes, including an opportunity for refreshments and community building.

To register, please visit:

https://ticketfi.com/event/5003/eagle-staff-ceremony?utm_source=CRE&utm_campaign=4b5e977a23-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2023_02_28_08_27_COPY_06&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_-aa38ec0064-%5BLIST_EMAIL_ID%5D

The Faculty of Engineering EDI team is pleased to welcome Elder Jan Longboat who will be speaking on the role of women in Haudenausaunee culture. Registration is required.

About the Elder

Jan Kahehti:io [“beautiful garden”] Longboat, Turtle clan of the Mohawk Nation, is an Elder, educator, writer, herbalist, cultural advocate and visionary. She has dedicated her life to the dissemination and learning of Indigenous language and culture. She shares her knowledge of Earth teachings, storytelling, fasting, dreams, visions, medicine teachings, women’s roles, and relationships, Haudenausaunee wampum belts, leadership, environmental changes and the impact that her original language has on understanding important values of life. Kahehti:io is the keeper of the Earth Healing Herb Gardens and healing Forest at Six Nations. She believes our ancestors left us a great legacy of Indigenous knowledge with which we can carry our spiritual, physical, mental, and environmental medicine bundles.

Kahehti:io is recognized in her community being given the Six Nations Community Treasure Award in 2010. She also received an Honorary Doctorate of Laws degree from the University of Guelph in 2011; the “Peace” Award from the Indigenous Women’s Initiative, the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian “Peacemaker Award” in 2007.

Kahehti:io received her degree as a Natural Health Practitioner from the London School and Canadian College of Natural Healing and received her degree in counselling from Laurentian University in 2017.

Kahehti:io received the Indspire Award, the Einstein Award 2018. She received the Order of Canada in 2017.

Please join us for an evening of learning surrounding Earth Day and Indigenous perspectives. We will hear Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabe teachings, including stories and discussion about Indigenous relationships to Mother Earth, and our responsibilities as stewards of our shared home. 

*This is a hybrid event with in-person and virtual attendance options available during registration *

To register, please visit https://www.ticketfi.com/event/5064/earth-day-teaching-with-lotunt-honyust-myeengun-henry

Hosted by the folks at the United College Indigenous Entrepreneurship Incubator!

On April 19, come and learn about our innovative Indigenous Entrepreneurship program that will help support the next generation of First Nations, Metis and Inuit changemakers! This groundbreaking initiative is taking venture creation to a new level with an indigenous lens tailored specifically for unique needs of indigenous entrepreneurs. Join us in helping create meaningful change within these communities! RVSP today!

We’ll be working on our content catalog and participant work flow for you guys this week. Stay tuned!

Event Brite to register for event:

https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/indigenous-entrepreneurship-info-session-tickets-617934066427

Zoom link for meeting:

https://uwaterloo.zoom.us/j/91683002436?pwd=a2M3a1JEWUZkWVkwWTNIa09GVXcvdz09

Part 1 (offered every term) is a prerequisite for part 2. If you haven't previously taken part 1, please do so next term prior to enrolling for part 2.

This is the second half a two-part workshop that journeys through First Nations, Inuit, and Metis relations with settlers. As the title indicates, you don't know what you don't know, so everyone is welcome. You will be introduced to the concept of Miskasowin (wholistic self-evaluation) that will define content, context, and relationship promoting further action, accountability, and responsibilities as a treaty person in this land now known as Canada.

Learning Objectives:

• Deconstruct language and discuss why identity and labels are different for First Nations, Inuit, and Metis peoples.
• Unlearning historic and current realities forFirst Nations, Metis and Inuit peoples in the land now known as Canada and how the resulting cultural genocide:
  • Affects current and future generations of First Nations, Inuit, and Metis peoples
  • Affects how First Nations, Inuit, and Metis peoples are received andtreated in institutions, including post-secondary institution
• Increase understanding ofIndigenous ways of knowing
• Increase awareness of local urban First Nations, Metis, and Inuit communities
• Promote self-reflection to further an understanding of the impacts of colonization, racism, and implicit bias experienced by First Nations, Inuit, and Metis peoples

Online, 3-hour workshop, in a small-group setting

To register, please visit https://uwaterloo.gosignmeup.com/public/Course/browse?courseid=7358

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.