The Indigenous peoples of the University of Waterloo will ask Vivek Goel, President and Vice-Chancellor, for a full commitment to reconciliation, Indigenization and decolonization at the institution during an Indigenous Commitment ceremony on Thursday, September 22, 2022.
The Indigenous Commitment ceremony will commence with a Sunrise Ceremony at 7:00 a.m. at the Ceremonial Fire Grounds at United College.
A Cedar Circle is scheduled to start, later that same day, at 10:30 a.m. on the B.C. Matthews Hall (BMH) green, which will be immediately followed by a Pipe Ceremony and a traditional feast.
The entire University community is welcome to attend and observe all of the ceremonies.
Former Chief, Elder and Indigenous Knowledge Keeper, Myeengun Henry, who works with the Faculty of Health, says the purpose of the Indigenous Commitment ceremony is for the University of Waterloo to publicly acknowledge the harm that colonization has caused to Indigenous peoples and commit to meaningful and respectful work towards being an ally to the process of reclaiming Indigenous identity and culture, and decolonization.