Indigenous Connections –Summer 2025| Volume 16

As summer’s light stretches long across the days, we are reminded of the sacred bundle we carry together—a gathering of teachings, stories, and responsibilities passed gently from hand to hand, from generation to generation. Within it rests strength, resilience, wisdom and hope to guide us forward.

This season, our bundle feels especially alive. It holds the songs and dances that will rise at the annual Gidinawendamin/Ska’nikú•lát Pow Wow, where community gathers in celebration of culture, kinship and joy. It holds the solemn weight of September 30, the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, when we pause to honour Survivors of residential school, remember the children who never returned home and stand in solidarity with families and communities in healing. Each season, the bundle grows—richer with renewal, rooted teachings and community care. It reminds us that Indigenization is a living journey, always adapting and flourishing.

As we enjoy the remainder of summer and move towards fall, may we carry this sacred bundle with gratitude. Within it lives connection, renewal, and the promise of transformation—guiding us forward, together.

In this Issue:

• News
• Upcoming Events
• Indigenization on Campus
• Territorial Acknowledgement

Jean Becker, Associate Vice-President, Indigenous Relations, will retire at the end of 2025 after more than two decades of transformative leadership in Indigenous education and advocacy. Since joining the University of Waterloo in 2020, she has championed initiatives such as the Indigenous Strategic Plan, tuition waivers for local First Nations students, and the creation of the Indigenous Outdoor Gathering Space. In 2025, she also oversaw the integration of the Waterloo Indigenous Student Centre with OIR, leaving a lasting legacy of strengthened support, community, and connection for Indigenous students.The Office of Indigenous Relations will be forever influenced by the steady wisdom, guidance and leadership of Jean Becker, without whom we would not be here. While her warm presence and passion will be deeply missed on campus, we wish Jean all the best for a happy, healthy and enjoyable retirement. Congratulations, Jean!

We are also thrilled to announce that John Lewis will be the Interim Associate Vice-President, Indigenous Relations, effective January 1, 2026, for an 18-month term. John currently serves as Director, Indigenous Faculty Relations in OIR and brings over two decades of experience in environmental and community planning. John is a registered member of Timiskaming First Nation. John’s role is to work broadly with the University community to achieve its goal of Indigenizing and decolonizing the institution. We are thrilled to welcome John as our new AVP and know that we are in very capable and caring hands. Congratulations, John!

Read more in the Daily Bulletin

In preparation for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30, W Store is offering Orange Shirts featuring a design by Alanah Astehtsi Otsistohkwa (Morningstar) Jewell of Morningstar Designs. A portion of proceeds supports the Indigenous Student Development Fund.

Visit the W Store online.

Dr. Nel Wieman (BSc ’88, MSc ’91) is a Sixties Scoop survivor whose journey of resilience led her from kinesiology at Waterloo to becoming Canada’s first female Indigenous psychiatrist.

Read the full story.

Waterloo Pharmacy students will soon access AI-powered virtual training to help them provide culturally safe care for Indigenous patients.

Read the full story.

Join us in supporting this year's campus Pow Wow on Friday, September 27, 2025! We're looking for volunteers to help with various roles throughout the day. 

For more information or to volunteer, contact Gladwyn Badger, Events and Special Projects Coordinator, at gbadger@uwaterloo.ca.

The Indigenous Student Development Fund offers support for Indigenous students at the University of Waterloo with unexpected educational or living expenses. Eligible costs include tuition gaps, school supplies, emergency housing or childcare, and wellness supports not covered by insurance. Open to First Nations, Métis, and Inuit students in any program. Citizenship/membership documents must be uploaded to Quest.

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.

Visit our website for more information.

The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Attawandaron (Neutral), Anishinaabeg, and Haudenosaunee peoples.
 
Our main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract. On October 25, 1784, Sir Frederick Haldimand (former governor of Quebec) signed a decree that “granted” a tract of land to the Haudenosaunee (also known as the Six Nations Confederacy), that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River, in compensation for their alliance with British forces during the American Revolution.
 
The Six Nations of the Grand River currently have less than 5% of the land originally “granted” to them in the Haldimand Tract. We use the word ‘granted’ in quotation marks because we recognize that Indigenous land should need not be granted by non-Indigenous settlers. The Haldimand Tract is central to ongoing land claims struggles.
 
The University of Waterloo is also in the “Dish With One Spoon Territory”. This is a wampum treaty between the Anishinaabe, Mississaugas and Haudenosaunee that bound them to share the territory and protect the land representing what we now call Southern Ontario. We all eat out of the Dish – all of us that share this territory – with only one spoon. That means we have a shared responsibility of ensuring the dish is never empty, which includes taking care of the land and all living beings we share it with. There are no knives at the table, representing that we must keep the peace. Indigenous nations and peoples, European settlers and all newcomers are invited into this agreement in the spirit of peace, friendship and respect.
 
For information on personalizing an acknowledgement visit our Territorial Acknowledgement webpage.