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Wednesday, October 20, 2021

New AVP role for Jean Becker

In a memo circulated to University employees last Friday, President Vivek Goel and Vice-President, Academic & Provost James Rush announced that they have acted on recommendations from the Human Rights, Equity and Inclusion office review team to create two new organizational units led by Associate Vice-Presidents that will report to the Vice-President, Academic & Provost. These units replace two of the functions of the former Office of Human Rights, Equity and Inclusion. Both appointments are effective immediately.

The new Office of Indigenous Relations will be led by Jean Becker, who will take on the new title of Associate Vice-President, Indigenous Relations.

National Day for Truth and Reconcilation
Wednesday, September 22, 2021

Commemorating National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Written by: Joy Braga

Warning: The following article includes details of Canada’s Indian Residential School System. The National Indian Residential School Crisis Line (24-hour, 7 days a week) is available to provide support for former students and those affected: 1-866-925-4419.

Recently in June, the House of Commons unanimously supported legislation to recognize September 30th as a federal statutory holiday called National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. This new holiday will be a paid day off for federal workers and employees in federally regulated workplaces. National Day for Truth and Reconciliation notably coincides with Orange Shirt Day, a day when we honour the Indigenous children who were sent away to residential schools in Canada.  

National Indigenous History Month
Monday, July 12, 2021

Reflections from National Indigenous History Month at Waterloo

Written By: Joy Braga

Warning: This article contains descriptions of the harsh treatment experienced by First Nations, Inuit and Métis children in the residential school system.

On June 29th, the Indigenous Initiatives Office hosted their keynote event for National Indigenous History Month with the Honourable Murray Sinclair. Honourable Sinclair served as Co-Chair of the Aboriginal Justice Inquiry in Manitoba and as Chief Commissioner of the Indian Residential Schools Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC). As head of the TRC, he participated in hundreds of hearings across Canada, culminating in the issuance of the TRC’s report in 2015. The Honourable Murray Sinclair was also the first Indigenous judge appointed in Manitoba and served its justice system for over 40 years. He recently retired from the Canadian Senate where he was appointed on April 2, 2016.