Welcome to the Winter 2025 Edition of Indigenous Connections
From welcoming new Indigenous staff to launching a powerful new logo, along with embracing Indigenous storytelling, this season brought moments of integration and connection. As we reflect on the past and look towards the future, we honour Indigenous resilience, cultures, and growth. Indigenization is not just about representation – it is about incorporating Indigenous knowledge, traditions, and perspectives into the structure of our institutions. The journey forward is shaped by our collective actions and shared stories – each one a step toward a stronger, more inclusive community. There were many special milestones and moments for Indigenization on campus this season and we are looking forward for many more to come in the future.
In this Issue:
Upcoming Events
Indigenous Speakers Series presents katherena vermette
March 25
The Indigenous Speakers Series is excited to present katherena vermette, a Michif (Red River Metis) award-winning writer. Join us on Tuesday, March 25, 2025 3:00 p.m. - 4:15 p.m. at Modern Languages, Theatre of the Arts.
World Water Day 2025
March 21
Celebrate World Water Day 2025 with the Water Institute! Join us for a full-day conference featuring inspiring keynote speakers, a showcase of innovative student research, award presentations, networking opportunities, and a complimentary lunch on Friday, March 21, 2025 from 10:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
A Step Toward Inclusion
Did you know that some people experience ongoing health challenges after a COVID-10 infection? Join the UW community for a walk to support those with Long COVID and promote awareness. The walk is on Thursday, March 27th at 12:00 p.m. starting from Health EXP.
Bi-Weekly Hand-Drumming Circle
Join us for a hand-drumming circle on Mondays 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).
Visit the event page for more information.
Indigenization on Campus
Campus Community grows with new Indigenous Staff
A meaningful gathering in Health Services celebrated the addition of two new Indigenous staff members to the campus wellness team. We are thrilled to welcome Dr.Sarah Connors, Indigenous Naturopath and Brad LeBarron, Indigenous Student Wellness Navigator.
New Indigenous Athletics Logo Launch
The Waterloo Athletics and Recreation and the Office of Indigenous Relations officially launched a new Indigenous logo for the Waterloo Warriors on Tuesday, February 4th, 2025.
Smudging Signage on Campus
As of July 1, 2024, the revised Policy 29 - Smoke-Free Campus, went into effect and prohibits all forms of smoking and vaping. The use of tobacco for traditional Indigenous smudging ceremonies is protected in the Ontario Human Rights Code. Thus, smudging outdoors is exempt from any changes to the smoke-free policy. For fire safety, The University of Waterloo has a list of 70+ rooms that have been pre-approved by plant ops for smudging and do not require a permit. The Office of Indigenous Relations has put in place smudging signage across these rooms making it easier to identify where smudging is pre-approved (for fire safety reasons).
Th'owxiya: A performance of firsts
The University of Waterloo's Theatre and Performance program showcased its first-ever Indigenous children's play, with an audience of almost 2,000 school kids!
Faculty of Arts launches Indigenous Initiatives webpage
Arts is committed to ongoing and increasing collaboration with Indigenous communities to learn from and integrate Indigenous ways of knowing in our curriculum, scholarship and community engagement. This commitment aligns with the University's Indigenous Strategic Plan, 2023-2028, and goals within the Arts Strategic Plan, 2023-2030. Arts’ new webpage highlights current, past and upcoming Indigenous initiatives, people and resources that are based primarily within Arts - although many include contributions from partners across campus and beyond.
Opportunities
Ogimaa Indigenous Graduate Scholarship
The Ogimaa Indigenous Graduate Scholarship offers a $10,000 award annually to an Indigenous student pursuing graduate studies at the University of Waterloo. Selection is based on academic achievement, community contributions, as well as a personal statement.
Application deadline is April 1, 2025.
News
Waterloo Indigenous Student Centre joins the Office of Indigenous Relations
The Office of Indigenous Relations and WISC are coming together and officially joining in Spring 2025.
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.
