Welcome to the Fall 2024 Edition of Indigenous Connections
From Indigenous Disability Awareness Month to Inuit Day to Indigenous Veterans Day and Treaties Recognition Week, we dedicate time to remember what we have forgotten, to remember the historical context of this land and the very present, very real and continuous harms that persist. As we experience unnerving changes in the climate, a multitude of violence, and many other tragedies around the globe, the answer in mainstream culture has been to stay close to safe feelings but we must feel what we feel. Our bodies never forget what we’ve experienced. Yet with kindness, empathy and compassion towards ourselves and others we can move forward in a good way. We have a chance to learn, grow and get better as individuals and as a collective every day if we so choose – while still honouring that which we will never forget.
In this Issue:
Upcoming Events
Treaties as Foundations: The Legacy of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation
November 6
Daniel Secord will be a guest speaker for Treaties Week, delivering a presentation on the history of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and their relationship with treaties on Wednesday, November 6 from 1 to 2 p.m. at East Campus 5 (EC5-1111). This event is open to everyone.
Learn more and register.
Bridge: Honouring the Lives of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two Spirit People
October 24 - November 7
A space for all University community members to learn about the crisis as they reflect upon their responsibilities, and share in speaking the names of the lives taken to honour and remember them as red fabric is tied to the bridge between Environment 3 and United College from Thursday, October 24 at 10 a.m. to Thursday, November 7 at 2 p.m.
Visit the event page for more information.
National Indigenous Veterans Day: Ceremony & Fireside Chat
This event will honour Indigenous Veterans Day with a fireside panel discussion featuring Elder Myeengun Henry who will lead a discussion that will invite Indigenous veterans to share their experiences on Friday, November 8 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at the Black and Gold Room at the Student Life Centre (SLC). This event is open to everyone.
To learn more, and register visit the event page.
Bi-Weekly Hand-Drumming Circle
Join us for a hand-drumming circle on Wednesdays from 12 to 1 p.m. in the Office of Indigenous Relations (EC5 4201). This event is only open to Indigenous University of Waterloo employees (staff and faculty).
For dates, please visit the Bi-Weekly Hand-Drumming Circle webpage.
Unlearning Ableism: decolonizing and un-shaming disability
In observance of International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) and Indigenous Disability Awareness Month, the Office of Indigenous Relations is honoured to welcome Emily Anne Brant as our Keynote speaker on Wednesday, November 20 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. online and in the Westmount Boardroom at Federation Hall. This event is open to everyone.
Learn more and register.
Indigenous Relations' Soup and Bannock Lunch
The Office of Indigenous Relations is pleased to host a Soup and Bannock Lunch at the Shatitsirótha Waterloo Indigenous Student Centre on Thursday, November 21 from 12 to 2 p.m.! Come meet and talk to our team members. The first 30 minutes are reserved for Indigenous students.
Visit the event post for more information.
Beaders n' Eaters!
Join us every last Tuesday of the month from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Office of Indigenous Relations (EC5 4201). The event is open to all UW Indigenous staff, faculty, students, alumni, and retirees. Bring your favourite craft to work on and/or some food to share so we can enjoy connection, creativity and community.
Visit the event page for more information.
Decolonial R's of Research
This presentation will cover highlights of deceptively simple concepts theorized by Indigenous scholars for community-engaged research projects—known as the “Decolonial “R’s” of Research”—and together, we will consider their expansive meanings and implications in a typical university-based research project lifecycle virtually on Friday, November 29 from 10 to 11 a.m.
Learn more and register.
Indigenization on Campus
W Store launches new Indigenous Collection
Celebrating the newest Indigenous collection featuring artwork from Tehatsistahawi (Tsista) Kennedy pus Hall or Online at wstore.ca.
Read the full story in Waterloo News.
University of Waterloo's Indigenous Research Guides
These guides are being developed jointly by Indigenous students from the Graduate Students Association, the Office of Research, and the Library. It is intended to help UWaterloo researchers identify Indigenous-related resources that have been marginalized, erased, and ignored because of dominant Western practices in education, scholarship, and library science.
To learn more and use the guides visit the Library's website
Deepening the roots of reconciliation
A new exhibit on University of Waterloo's healing forest is nurturing reflection on truth and reconciliation.
To learn more about the exhibit visit Waterloo News.
Recognizing National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
Waterloo honours children and Survivors of residential school and renews commitment to reconciliation.
To read the full story visit Waterloo News.
Truth, trauma, and hope: UW’s Office of Indigenous Relations leads path to reconciliation
To read the full story visit Imprint.
Project Launch: Decolonizing and Establishing Payment Practices
We are excited to announce the launch of a project at the University of Waterloo entitled “Decolonizing and Establishing Payment Practices with Indigenous Community Members”, co-sponsored by Finance, Human Resources, the Office of Research, and the Office of Indigenous Relations.
To learn more, visit the Office of Indigenous Relations website.
Honoring Elder Henry
The Fall 2024 Convocation was made even more special with the awarding of an honorary doctorate to Elder Myeengun Henry who joined the University of Waterloo in 2022 as the Indigenous knowledge keeper in the Faculty of Health.
To read the full story visit Waterloo News.
Faculty of Mathematics breaks ground on Mathematics 4 building
The completed building will connect the W. G. Davis Computer Research Centre (DC), Mathematics and Computing (MC) and Mathematics 3 (M3) buildings, and will prioritize Indigenous design principles, sustainability and wellness.
To read the full story visit Waterloo News.
Upcoming Days of Significance
In November we recognize National Indigenous Disability Awareness Month (IDAM), Treaties Recognition Week, Inuit Day, Indigenous Veterans Day, Rock Your Mocs, and Louis Riel Day. In December, we recognize the Winter Solstice.
For dates and more information on upcoming days of significance please visit the Office of Indigenous Relations website.
News
Indigenous Relations' United Way Fundraiser
The Office of Indigenous Relations has raised $929 raised for United Way with our fall foodie fundraiser! Thank you to all who came out to enjoy soup, good company, auction items and raising funds for a great cause.
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.
