Waterloo Recognizes Treaties Recognition Week November 1-5, 2021
November 1-5, 2021 marks the second year that the University of Waterloo is officially participating in Treaties Recognition Week. This year, the Office of Indigenous Relations is excited to offer various opportunities to strengthen our understandings of where we live and work, and the importance of treaty rights and relationships.
Ways to Engage
Knowledge guide series
On Monday afternoon, the Office of Indigenous Relations will launch a new Knowledge Guide Series, focused on Phil Monture’s lecture, Treaties from a First Nation Perspective. Each afternoon this week, a new Knowledge Guide will be released, along with an accompanying video that explores the historical and ongoing significance of treaties, particularly the Haldimand Treaty. The Knowledge Guides and accompanying video will be released on this Treaties Recognition Week webpage and through social media each afternoon, November 1-5.
Indigenous items used for traditional ceremony and social gatherings, including a hand drum, tobacco, sage, sweet grass, cedar, smudge bowl, and feathered fan. Photograph by Cory Bilyea, EagleEyes Photography.
Treaties Recognition Week 2021 Information & Resources
The Office of Indigenous Relations has created an information and resource guide for Treaties Recognition Week 2021.
Updated and expanded resources
The Office of Indigenous Relations has recently updated and added resources to support and strengthen learning on campus, including around territorial acknowledgements, their significance, and usage; Indigenous days of significance, along with additional resources. Explore these updated resources.
In-person and virtual events
Treaties and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2021 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM EDT
In honour of Treaties Recognition Week, Ontario's Ministry of Indigenous Affairs is hosting a series of virtual events, including this opening event with Dr. Cynthia Wesley-Esquimaux. Join the virtual conversation around treaties, their connection to the Truth and Reconciliation’s Calls to Action, and the types of practical, actionable steps we can all take to help advance reconciliation. Learn more and register.
Bridge: Honouring the Lives of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two Spirit People
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2021 1:00PM EST
Bridge: Honouring the Lives of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two Spirit People has become an annual installation since 2016 for 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence at the University of Waterloo.
Everyone is welcome to participate in the Bridge installation Opening Ceremony and Fire on Wednesday, November 3 at 1:00 pm at the bridge between Environment 3 and St. Paul's University College. The closing ceremony will be held on Friday, November 19 at 1:00 pm.
Working with Shatitsirótha’: the Waterloo Indigenous Student Centre (WISC) Dr. Sorouja Moll initiated Bridge in 2016 to create a space for all University community members to learn about the crisis as they reflect upon their responsibilities, write a name on red fabric, and tie it to the bridge between Environment 3 and St. Paul's University College. This year we are including orange fabric with the red in remembrance of the lives of the children and youth who perished at the hands of institutional violence at residential schools. These local, regional, and national atrocities are profoundly and systemically interconnected. Learn more about The Bridge Installation.
Indigenous Research & Indigenous Environmental Justice
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2021 12:00 PM - 1:15 PM EDT
The Faculty of Environment invites you to attend a special Speakers Series on Decolonizing Methodologies for Respectful Sustainability Research.
Sessions will take place during the last week of each month. The second session, featuring Professor Deborah McGregor from York University, is on November 3rd from 12:00 - 1:15 pm.
Following the Speaker presentation, STEC will share information about post-talk interactive reflection sessions. Learn more about this special speaker presentation.
"Trick or Treaty?" Virtual Film Screening & Discussion
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2021 5:30 PM - 8:00 PM EDT
Trick or Treaty?
Film by: Alanis Obomsawin
2014, Runtime of 1 hour and 24 minutes
Film provided courtesy of the National Film Board of Canada (NFB)
The Office of Indigenous Relations are excited to share a free, virtual community screening of the acclaimed film, Trick or Treaty, directed by Alanis Obomsawin followed by a discussion with Robin Stadelbauer, Indigenous Relations Coordinator and Professor Susan Roy.
This is open to all members of our Waterloo campus community and beyond. Learn more about the screening and discussion.
Red, Right and True: An Indigenous Worldview, presented by Dr. Duke Redbird
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2021 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM EDT
In celebration of Treaties Recognition Week, the Ministry of Indigenous Affairs is hosting a series of free virtual events to increase understanding and awareness around the ongoing importance of treaties and the treaty relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people.
Elder Dr. Duke Redbird will walk attendees through the historical prevarications of the past and introduces us to a new worldview presented through an Indigenous Lens. Learn more about this talk.