The Staff Spotlight: Exploring Your UW Support Network
This series shines a light on the support systems that help staff at the University of Waterloo thrive. Through conversations with the staff behind this work, we highlight the services available to staff and opportunities to get involved and grow.
In part two of our Staff Spotlight series, we're spotlighting Gladwyn Badger, the Events and Special Projects Coordinator in the Office of Indigenous Relations (OIR). We spoke with him about his role, community, and what meaningful engagement looks like at UW.
The vision is to make the university a place where Indigenous people are more represented and supported.
Tell us about your role at UW and what your day to day looks like
My role in OIR is Events and Special Projects Coordinator. Day to day, that’s planning events. I’m often collaborating with other departments on events and programming around campus or putting a bookend on the last event—getting feedback and talking with collaborators about what went well and what didn’t.
How did you end up in this role?
I was finishing my graduate studies at Queen’s and doing a work placement with an Indigenous record label in Toronto, Red Music Rising. When that was ending, I needed to find something more long-term.
Academia was not initially where I planned to go, but I saw this opportunity and realized I had relevant experience—planning concerts, Indigenous events, some powwow experience from back home in Alberta—and I thought it would be an excellent opportunity to continue working in events and uplifting the Indigenous community.
What are some ways you collaborate with other staff across campus?
I’ve worked with Community Relations and Events on National Day for Truth and Reconciliation—things like the walk around Ring Road and the commitment ceremony we do every year with the president.
I’ve also had the pleasure of working with OHD on the Waterloo Staff Conference. I really appreciated the opportunity to work with such an amazing team over there, and what really stood out to me was the care they showed in making sure I was genuinely part of the process. I was involved not only in keynote speaker selection committee, but I also participated in planning the conference itself, which gave me the opportunity to learn from them throughout the process. That experience was meaningful because I felt like they genuinely wanted to hear my opinions and to also offer me an opportunity for me to learn.
Gladwyn Badger, Events and Special Projects Coordinator in the Office of Indigenous Relations (OIR)
And as soon as one event is over, I’m working on the next—or working on them at the same time. Event planning moves fast!
What does OIR provide for Indigenous staff?
The OIR’s work is guided by the University’s Indigenous Strategic Plan (2023–2028). It’s about moving the University forward in a good way through reconciliation and creating meaningful change across campus, in everything from research to building community.
We listen to Indigenous students, staff, and faculty, we build relationships with non-Indigenous people, and we hold the University accountable to its commitments to Indigenization and decolonization.
What should an Indigenous staff member know about connecting with OIR?
When I came to Waterloo, I didn’t know anyone. But in this office, I found community, resources, and an understanding of the big picture of the future of Indigenization at the University.
There are spaces to connect with other Indigenous folks—like soup lunches with Indigenous Student Services and the Indigenous Staff Network meetings.
How can non-Indigenous staff engage with your work respectfully and meaningfully?
It starts with listening and being open to learning. Indigenous people may have a different way of doing things, so it’s being understanding of that, taking the time to talk with folks—and attending events because that’s where a lot of learning is done.
I love seeing the regular people show up, but it’s also great to see new people coming in who are interested in learning and being involved. When people come up to our office and ask about the library, the plants, the medicines, the paintings on the wall—that’s just great.
What is the most rewarding part of your job?
I have a really supportive team. They’re generous with their knowledge, and their expectations. I know that they have my back and that I can come to them with problems.
I also get to connect with speakers and build relationships, which is really rewarding.
When work gets challenging, what keeps you grounded?
When I feel overwhelmed, my favourite thing is connecting with culture. I’ll go visit with Myeengun [Elder Myeengun Henry, Indigenous Knowledge Keeper in the Faculty of Health] and Kevin George [the Library’s Associate Director, Indigenous Initiatives] who carry a lot of knowledge and are generous with their teachings. Sitting with them, asking questions, and hearing stories helps me stay grounded and keep perspective.
Kevin once told me a story about a raven. I’m paraphrasing here, but the raven used to be very colorful but turned black when saving another creature, and had to deal with that change. But when the sun shines right on a raven, you can still see colour in their feathers. So that’s a reminder that while you may have a right to be mad about big changes, you can also look at the wonderful things that come with the change—and you still have some of that shine.
When people come to events or visit our space and ask questions, it shows they care about what we’re doing here.
Are there any initiatives coming up that you’re excited about?
June is a really busy and exciting time for me. It’s National Indigenous History Month, and I also support convocation as the University’s Eagle Staff carrier.
We’re planning for National Indigenous Peoples Day. A lot of the work we do is kind of heavy, but this is an opportunity to celebrate. We’re working with WUSA and the Graduate Student Association on planning that.
What is another staff role that deserves a spotlight?
Even just here in this office, there are so many. The challenging work Cianna Fayant Gill is doing on Indigenous identity verification is tough, but important. And what Emma Smith is doing in Indigenous Student Services to support students.
Do you have an idea for a support, service, or team we should spotlight? Tell us! We prioritize suggestions that showcase less visible work, reflect a broad range of roles and lived experiences, and centre voices and roles that are often under-recognized.