The Indigenization of universities and colleges has become a key focus of discussion on many campuses in recent months. This follows on the final report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission that called on post-secondary institutions to play a leading role to support Aboriginal languages and culture as part of a broader effort to heal the damages of past wrongs.
Erika Iserhoff says she’s done playing nice. From the genocide of indigenous people in residential schools, to the appropriation of their imagery and clothing by modern brands and designers, the multidisciplinary James Bay Cree artist says there’s long been a tradition of others trying to “tell us what our culture is.”
The Ontario government is backing its commitment to reconciliation over the infamous residential schools period with an announcement of up to $1.4 million toward the revitalization of the former Mohawk Institute Indian Residential School as a museum of conscience.
