Retired professor George Raithby is helping First Nations, Inuit and Métis students achieve their educational goals
We all have a responsibility to truth and reconciliation in Canada, which is to acknowledge the true history and legacy of residential school systems, work to right injustices and prevent such atrocities from happening again. Approaching truth and reconciliation begins with an open mind, an open heart, and a willingness to learn and listen.
This simple act of listening to First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples sharing their stories, knowledge and needs helped guide George Raithby toward the next step on his reconciliation journey.
Raithby is a retired University of Waterloo professor and co-founder of Advanced Scientific Computing who approached the University with a request. He wanted to donate to support Indigenous students, but he wasn’t sure what the actual needs were.
The University’s Office of Indigenous Relations opened its doors to Raithby to share Indigenous students' experiences and help him understand their needs as they work towards their degrees.