News

The International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples is celebrated globally on August 9. It marks the date of the inaugural session of the Working Group on Indigenous Populations in 1982. In keeping with this year’s theme, University of Waterloo historian and anthropologist Talena Atfield, answers questions about the roles of Indigenous women in preserving and transmitting traditional knowledges. Professor Atfield is a member of the Kanien’kehá:ka Nation of the Six Nations of the Grand River.

On Monday, July 25 people gathered at St. Jerome's University to watch a much-anticipated livestream of Pope Francis' apology for the church's role in residential schools.

It was a beautiful ceremony as UWaterloo Faculty of Health Dean Lili Liu, and Knowledge Keeper Myeengun Henry connected in a commitment to Indigenization. Together, they planted a Cedar tree, smudged and held pipe ceremony, and exchanged gifts in honour of the historic commitment. 

Savannah joins the Faculty of Science as the Manager, Indigenous Science Initiatives where she will "will identify systemic and systematic changes that move beyond Truth and the Reconciliation Calls to Action and develop a Faculty of Science-specific response and long-term vision for Science."

During National Indigenous History Month and as we celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day on June 21, University of Waterloo historian and anthropologist Talena Atfield answered questions about the recovery and regeneration of Indigenous artifacts, practices and knowledges. Professor Atfield is a member of the Kanien'kehá:ka Nation of the Six Nations of the Grand River.

Passionate about sharing his Indigenous heritage, an adjunct architecture professor named a new course after the ceremony his ancestors have used for thousands of years to welcome visitors to their homeland — At the Woods Edge.

Alexandre DeGagne, is the Indigenous recruitment and partnership specialist for the University of Waterloo. His home community is Animakee Wa Zhing #37, formally known as Northwest Angle 37, near Fort Frances, Ontario.  From his love for lacrosse to his outstanding work and vibrant character, Alexandre is a valuable member of the UWaterloo team.

A student at Waterloo Engineering has won a $10,000 scholarship through a Hydro One program designed to increase educational and employment opportunities for young Indigenous people.

Callum Perrault, an electrical engineering undergraduate and a member of the Métis Nation of Ontario, is one of 20 winners of 2022 Leonard S. (Tony) Mandamin Scholarships, which also offer the chance to do a paid work term at Hydro One.

Open to Indigenous students enrolled in recognized university and college programs, the scholarships are named after one of the first Indigenous electrical engineering graduates in the province.

Recipients are selected by a panel composed of First Nations, Inuit and Métis professionals. The winners were announced this week to mark National Indigenous Peoples Day.

“We congratulate these Indigenous leaders for their achievements and celebrate the bright futures ahead of them,” Penny Favel, vice president of Indigenous relations at Hydro One, said in a media release. Original article written by the Faculty of Engineering.

We have lots of exciting news to share in our special June edition. National Indigenous History Month is here, and there is a lot happening!

Check out this issue at: https://mailchi.mp/f69b337505fe/indigenous-connections-newsletter-spring-2022

Subscribe to our mailing list to receive future issues here: https://uwaterloo.ca/indigenous/news/newsletter

Building on the success and impact of a previous partnership, Print + Retail Solutions and the Office of Indigenous Relations have worked closely together to curate a new collection of Indigenous products in collaboration with a local Indigenous artist, Alanah Astehtsi Otsistohkwa (Morningstar) Jewell of Morningstar Designs.