Indigenous Connections - Fall 2022 | Volume 5

At UWaterloo, the Fall season began in such a good way. A commitment to lasting support for Indigenization was solidified in ceremony, the campus community came together like never before to honour those impacted by the residential school legacy, and students returned to a campus that showed tremendous growth in all areas of Indigenization! Us folks in the Office of Indigenous Relations have felt so much love and support, and are so grateful for the inspiring work that is happening throughout the University.

In this Issue:

• Commitment Ceremony
• Waterloo's chancellor commits $1 million to support community-focused Indigenous students
• National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
• Community Welcome
• Upcoming events
• Territorial Acknowledgement

Members of the Indigenous leadership at the University of Waterloo asked Vivek Goel, President and Vice-Chancellor, for a full commitment to reconciliation, Indigenization and decolonization at the institution on September 22, 2022.

Goel acknowledged the University’s full commitment through a formal Commitment Ceremony.

“As an institution of learning, the University has a unique role to play in working towards truth and reconciliation,” he said. “We have to ensure that Indigenous knowledge and ways of knowing are represented in our scholarship, in our research and in our teachings.”

Goel acknowledged that Indigenous Peoples are the original inhabitants of this land and continue to suffer devastating cultural loss and cultural disconnect within Canadian society due to the systems built by colonialism.

He committed the University to fostering a better understanding of Indigenous history, developing an awareness of the damaging intergenerational effects of colonialism and the residential school system and taking responsibility for vital components of the reconciliation process.

Dominic Barton, the University of Waterloo's 11th chancellor, has committed $1 million to support the next generation of talent at Waterloo.

Barton is a well-known leader in global business and a philanthropist, as well as a key supporter of the University.

“Dominic has created valuable opportunities for our researchers and students during his tenure as chancellor,” says Vivek Goel, president and vice-chancellor. “I’m deeply grateful for his ongoing support, and I’m delighted that he has built on his leadership with this meaningful gift.

Barton’s gift will fund several initiatives including a new award for Indigenous students, an international travel program in the School of Accounting and Finance and the growth of Waterloo’s entrepreneurship program, Velocity, at its new home in the Innovation Arena.

On September 30, we honoured the lost children and Survivors of residential schools, their families and communities. Unified, public commemoration and acknowledgement of the tragic and painful history, continued impact, and intergenerational trauma of Canada's residential school legacy is a vital component of the reconciliation process. This year on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, the UWaterloo community stood and walked together in an inspiring display of strength and support. Chi miigwech to everyone that came and added to the beautiful wave of orange that swept over the campus. See you again next year!

Community Welcome

As part of the commitment to Indigenization, the University of Waterloo is expanding both the scope of Indigenous initiatives across campus, and the people power! We would like to take a moment to introduce some of the new Indigenous staff here at UWaterloo. It is such a pleasure to have these immensely talented folks with us. 

Educational Developer, Indigenous Knowledges 

Madison Hill is a Mohawk Woman from Six Nations of the Grand River Territory. In Madison’s role with the University of Waterloo, Madison will be providing curriculum development support, educational development, and consultation to the Science and Environment faculties to implement Indigenous Knowledges into curriculum. Madison has a degree in Environmental Management and a Master’s from Western University in partnership with Six Nations Polytechnic. Madison will further the efforts of the Indigenous knowledges with Educational Developers nationally and create relationships and knowledge sharing across South-western Ontario. She will also begin work planning and creating the activities for the Advisory to keep moving forward. Within the Centre for Teaching Excellence, Madison will work with the Grad Team, creating a two-eyed seeing parallel track in the graduate teaching fundamental program for graduate students. Madison is also passionate about furthering the Indigenous student experience at Waterloo and hopes to support students through student lead initiatives and listening to student voices. 

Educational Developer: Indigenous Knowledges 

As Educational Developer, Jessica provides support for research, pedagogy, and curriculum development with a focus on Indigenous Knowledges in Engineering and Mathematics.
Jessica is in the final stages of completing a Ph.D. in Gender, Feminist, and Women’s Studies at York University. Jessica has obtained a master’s degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice Policy at the University of Guelph. She has also completed a Bachelor of Arts with Honours in Criminal Justice and Public Policy (with minors in Sociology and Family Studies), and a Diploma in Psychology. Stemming from her passion to teach, Jessica has also completed a master certificate in Teaching English as a Foreign Language.
 
Jessica’s Ph.D. research explores the systemic sexism and racism in the criminal justice system. Jessica has worked in non-profit organizations, government, and post-secondary settings and received the Lieutenant Governor’s Visionaries Prize for Reconciliation. Jessica has extensive experience in advocacy work, policy, curriculum development, and community engagement. Jessica continues to explore her Mi’kmaq ancestry and connect with the community in a meaningful way through professional and personal experiences.

Educational Developer, Anti-Racist Pedagogies

As Educational Developer of Anti-Racist Pedagogies, Nahannee provides relevant support within research, curriculum design and development, and pedagogical approaches. She is currently working with Pharmacy, the Faculty of Health, and the Faculty of Arts. She also works with EDI and Anti-racist initiatives within CTE and other areas of the university.

Nahannee is currently completing her PhD in Indigenous Studies in which her work focuses on centering the voices of Indigenous graduate students through storying. She has an MA in Curriculum Studies from UBC and also completed a double major BA at UBC in Psychology and Spanish, with a focus on human rights and genocide. She identifies herself through “3 i’s: Indigenous, Immigrant, and Invader”, and uses this framework as a guide to her work, both within and outside the academy.

Programming Coordinator, Waterloo Indigenous Student Centre (WISC)

Please join us in warmly welcoming the new WISC Programming Coordinator, Emma Smith. We are beyond thrilled that Emma is continuing to call this community home, and we are even more excited that they chose to work at WISC! As your new go-to person for all things WISC, they are very familiar with the space and programming. Beyond their duties as coordinator, Emma is foremost a capable and friendly student facing support. Emma’s furry friend, Portabello is just as excited to come to work too! Please make the time to come by, say hello and help Emma feel at home in their new space.

Emma (they/them) is Aniishnaabe from Walpole Island First Nation. They graduated in Fine Arts (2018), and they are also nearing completion of a Master of Arts, specializing in Indigenous History; both degrees are from the University of Waterloo. Their MA research is focused on Indigenous beadwork during the Fur Trade. Emma has worked with and been involved in the Region of Waterloo and the KW Indigenous community for close to a decade now. They are a producer, curator, artist, and community organizer. They hope to use their passion of working with students and youth to create more leaders in community.

Associate Director, Indigenous Relations, Co-operative and Experiential Education (CEE)

Bryanne is Seneca from Six Nations and is Turtle Clan. As part of the CEE senior leadership team and will provide strategic leadership with regard to Indigenous initiatives within CEE, identify systematic and systemic changes, and build internal/external relationships and partnerships that will strengthen Indigenous student experience as well as CEE-Indigenous partnerships and relationships. Bryanne brings valuable community, volunteer, and leadership experience!

We would like to use this opportunity to express our gratitude to some special folks. Without you, this Indigenous experience we share wouldn't be the same. Chi miigwech.

Upcoming Events

In this edition of Indigenous Connections, our focus was Indigenous Commitment. This year we have experienced tremendous growth, encouragement and support. Beyond all the exciting news and events, we wanted to highlight some of the people that made this possible, because our connections are what lie at the core of Indigeneity. Indigenization is about our traditions, our sacred and ancient knowledge, our connection to the land and all beings. The folks and stories highlighted in this issue are the embodiment of these concepts and the enactment of these goals. Chi miigwech for reading. We wish you all a wonderful holiday season. 

Territorial Acknowledgement

As the Canadian Association of University Teachers described in their guide to territorial acknowledgment for Canadian universities, “[…] acknowledging territory is only the beginning of cultivating strong relationships with the First Peoples of Canada." 

The University of Waterloo is located on the Haldimand Tract and learning the history of this Treaty is an important way to not only connect the past with the present, but also provides space and time to reflect on the ways in which we are all treaty people.

Learn more about the Haldimand Tract with Phil Monture, who is Mohawk from the Six Nations of the Grand River. From 1975 to July 2002, Phil was the Director of the Land Claims Research Office at the Six Nations of the Grand River. Phil's video lecture was recorded as part of Treaties Week 2020.

Visit the Indigenous Relations Territorial Acknowledgement resource page to learn more about creating your own acknowledgement.