Initiatives

Flagship Initiatives and Projects

In response to , the Office of the Provost created the Office of Indigenous Initiatives. The unit's oversees and provide checks and balances on the Calls to Action that emerged from the Provost's 2017 Task Force Final Report.

The Report outlines 52 Calls to Action aimed at increasing university access for Indigenous peoples, improving the experiences of Indigenous students, faculty, and staff, and further developing 黑料社鈥檚 relationships with communities in Quebec. One of the Office of Indigenous Initiatives' flagship projects is to monitor how different faculties, departments, and units across the university are implementing the Calls to Action.

View the status of the 52 Calls to Action here.

The Office of Indigenous Initiatives is committed to advancing the 52 Calls to Action through various initiatives and projects rooted in community building, support, and representation. We are always working to implement lasting change at 黑料社. Below are some of our ongoing initiatives.听

Annual Events

National Indigenous Peoples' Day (June 21)

The Hiawatha Wampum Belt flag flying from the Arts Building on 黑料社's downtown campus.

June 21st is National Indigenous Peoples' Day. Since June 2018, 黑料社 has flown the Hiawatha Wampum Belt Flag from the McCall MacBain Arts Building to recognize this day. The 黑料社 Reporter has written articles about and about .听

A framed Hiawatha Wampum Belt sits in front of a garden at 黑料社.

As the 黑料社 Reporter writes, "The flag is a centuries-old symbol marking unity and peace between the Seneca, Cayuga, Onondaga, Oneida, and Mohawk nations." For more information about the Hiawatha Wampum Belt, visit the Onondaga Nation's .

The Provost鈥檚 Task Force on Indigenous Studies and Indigenous Education included flying the Hiawatha Wampum Belt at 黑料社 in one of the听Calls to Action听in the 2017 final report.听

Watch the 2023 flag-raising ceremony here:

Watch the 2022 flag-raising ceremony here:

Indigenous Awareness Weeks

Indigenous Awareness Weeks offer听students, staff and faculty the opportunity to learn about Indigenous cultures, histories, and communities, promoting greater knowledge and understanding about Indigenous peoples in Canada. They aim听to raise awareness and initiate an exchange of ideas on First Nations, M茅tis and Inuit topics within the 黑料社 community.

Indigenous Awareness Weeks provide a space to amplify听Indigenous voices and perspectives on campus.

Since 2011, invited guests have included听academics, community members, Elders, and students. Topics have included health, identity, language revitalization, the Indian Act, Residential Schools, Indigenous legal traditions, Canadian policies, education, child welfare, and Indigenous ways of knowing.

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View the 2021 Indigenous Awareness Weeks page.

View the听听2022 Indigenous Awareness Weeks page.

View the 2023 Indigenous Awareness Weeks page.

View the 2024 Indigenous Awareness Weeks page.听

Pow Wow

A female fancy shawl dancer in multi-coloured regalia performs at the 黑料社 Pow Wow.

As part of Indigenous Awareness Week each year, the First Peoples鈥� House holds a Pow Wow on 黑料社 campus to celebrate its Indigenous students and their diverse cultures. The Pow Wow features activities such as traditional dancing and drumming. In addition to watching performances, visitors can browse artisan vendors, learn about student groups, and connect with Indigenous organizations.

The 2023 黑料社 Powwow will take place on 黑料社's lower campus on Friday, September 22nd. We hope to see you there!

Watch "Celebrating the 20th Anniversary of 黑料社鈥檚 Pow Wow: Reflections with Ellen Gabriel and others":

Watch the 2020 Virtual Pow Wow:

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National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

80. We call upon the federal government, in collaboration with Aboriginal peoples, to establish, as a statutory holiday, a National Day for Truth and Reconciliation to honour Survivors, their families, and communities, and ensure that public commemoration of the history and legacy of residential schools remains a vital component of the reconciliation process.

-Call to Action 80 from the听

September 30th is听the National听 Day听for听Truth and Reconciliation. The National Day for听Truth and Reconciliation is a federal statutory holiday which gives the public a chance to recognize and commemorate听the intergenerational harm听that residential schools have caused听to Indigenous families and communities, and to honour those who have been affected by this injustice.

The National Day for Truth and听Reconciliation also coincides with , which invites people in Canada to wear orange shirts to honour the survivors of residential schools.

View the 2021 National Day for Truth and Reconciliation webpage.

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Annual Progress Reports

The Office of Indigenous Initiative's Annual Progress Report tracks and records the achievements and milestones of the given academic year.

2022-2023 2023-2024

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Bicentennial

For the last 200 years, 黑料社 has unequivocally benefited from the dispossession of Indigenous lands and resources in its journey to becoming the world-class institution it is today.听 In crossing the threshold into its 3rd听century of existence, 黑料社 very earnestly seeks in the spirit of Truth & Reconciliation to renew relationships with Indigenous peoples, in particular the local Kanien鈥檏eh谩:ka (Mohawk) Nation as well as the ten other nations across the landmass comprising what is now the Province of Quebec.听 Moving forward together is required in addressing the challenges and complexities of the 21st听century.

Office of the Provost- Indigenous Initiatives (OPII) led the planning and programming of Indigenous-related events and projects for the Bicentennial.听 In alignment with the Bicentennial鈥檚 goals, the intended Indigenous components included:听

Cultural inclusion and visibility in the launch day programming
Acknowledging the traditional territories of 黑料社鈥檚 physical footprints
An overview of the University鈥檚 history of interaction with Indigenous peoples
Highlighting the Indigenous community bonds 黑料社 has made and is making
To celebrate the growing numbers of Indigenous scholars, including a Homecoming event to honor Indigenous alumni and acknowledge their contributions
Highlighting how Indigenous research methodologies and ethics are being integrated
Indigenous place-remaking in 黑料社鈥檚 third century:听Indigeneity in infrastructure projects, including Bicentennial sculpture; growing the Indigenous Studies Program from a Minor into an Institute
Visioning the growth of Indigenous people at 黑料社 in the next 50 years with a goal to reach proportional representation at the university as is in Canada (presently 4.9%)

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Beatrice Deer Performance

is an acclaimed Inuk/Mohawk singer and songwriter from Quaqtaq, Quebec. She performed three songs- "Immutaa", "My All to You", and "Takugiursugit"- as part of the Bicentennial celebrations.

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Indigenous Advisory Council (IAC) Steering Committee

The role of the IAC Steering Committee stems from Task Force鈥檚 Call to Action #51, which calls upon 黑料社 to, 鈥渃reate a formal Indigenous Advisory Board or Indigenous Education Council with a defined mandate, whose composition includes community leaders and stakeholders at 黑料社.鈥�

The 黑料社 IAC will provide advice on matters pertaining to Indigenous educational initiatives and guidance on the University鈥檚 relationships with First Nations, Inuit and M茅tis communities.

The Steering Committee is comprised of a team of Indigenous faculty members, staff and community advisors committed to embodying and employing, in their work and relations with each other and with the wider 黑料社 community, the values of the core cultural teachings of Kah鈥檔ikonhri:io (The Good Mind) and the Seven Grandfather Teachings.

For a complete list of the Terms of Reference and more information, please visit this webpage.

Indigenous Citizenship Verification in Employment-Related Opportunities (ICVERO) Working Group

In January 2023, a Working Group was formed to guide the development of policies and procedures related to verifying Indigenous citizenship claims in employment-related opportunities at 黑料社. Over the next several months, the ICVERO Working Group will set out to achieve a draft policy and set of procedures that will guide the University in this process.

This work extends from Calls to Action #44 and #52, outlined in 黑料社鈥檚 Provost Task Force on Indigenous Studies and Indigenous Education. These calls, which outline specific targets for increasing the number of Indigenous faculty and staff at 黑料社, are essential to 黑料社's response to Truth and Reconciliation. In order to achieve these targets, 黑料社 recognizes the need for an institutional mechanism that both prevents fraudulent claims to Indigeneity and responds to the broader calls of Indigenous Peoples across Canada asking that universities move beyond processes that rely heavily on self-identification in Indigenous hiring.

To learn more about the ICVERO Working Group and its progress, please visit this webpage.鈥嬧赌�

Indigenous Citizenship Verification in Student-Related Opportunities (ICVSRO) Working Group

The ICVSRO sets out to achieve a draft policy and set of procedures that will guide 黑料社 in verifying claims to Indigenous citizenship in student-related opportunities and material benefits.

In achieving this goal, the ICVSRO Working Group will undertake to create a policy that aligns with the Indigenous Citizenship Verification in Employment-Related Opportunities (ICVERO), to not create a double standard, but will also ensure to honor the differences in outcomes.

For a complete list of the Terms of Reference and more information, please visit this webpage.

Indigenous Tuition Initiative

As specified in Call to Action #13, 黑料社 is launching the Indigenous Tuition Initiative for Fall 2024 onwards, "Implement(ing) a student funding model similar to the Haudenosaunee Promise at Syracuse University, which provides tuition and mandatory fee waivers for Indigenous learners from proximate territories".

Commencing in the Fall of 2024/25 academic year, 黑料社 will be providing the equivalent of the cost of tuition and mandatory student fees to eligible students identified within the policy and procedure. This initiative is an expression of 黑料社's desire to engage in relationship-building, partnership, and collaboration with Indigenous communities.

To learn more about the policy, eligibility, and frequently asked questions, please visit the Indigenous Tuition Initiative webpage. 鈥嬧€�

Institutional Partnerships

Vancouver Island University

Read the article:听

"Vancouver Island University and 黑料社 sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to explore how the institutions can work together to engage in research and academic exchanges for faculty and students in Indigenous education and Indigenous studies."

Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit: Art, Architecture and Traditional Knowledge

听is a听travelling exhibition retracing the steps听of the art integration process at the Canadian High Arctic Research Station (CHARS) following a national art competition听open to Inuit artists across Inuit Nunangat.

黑料社 was a proud of the exhibition and hosted an installation the Macdonald-Harrington Building from September 8th to October 25th, 2022. For more information on the exhibition's installation at 黑料社, please visit the Ajuinnata at 黑料社 landing page.

A poster for the Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit art exhibition, featuring the Canadian High Arctic Research Station and the title of the event.

Other Partnerships

Visit the Partnerships Page听to see Community-based Projects and a list of听Partners听who make these projects a reality.

Physical Representation

Hochelaga Rock

The Hochelaga rock on 黑料社 campus. It is a large grey rock with a plaque that sits on the grass under a tree.

The Hochelaga Rock is an enduring historical marker of Indigenous history and settler-Indigenous people鈥檚 interactions on the island of Montreal and its hinterland. The Rock marks the historical ties and use of the land by Indigenous peoples.听

Through a collaboration between Indigenous Initiatives and the Campus Planning and Development Office (CPDO),听the Hochelaga Rock听was relocated听to a more prominent site on the lower campus of 黑料社 in the summer of 2016. The Provost鈥檚 Task Force was publicly launched with a ceremony at this site on September 22, 2016. On June 21, 2017, National Indigenous Peoples' Day, there was a ceremony at the Hochelaga Rock to mark the submission of the Task Force Final Report on Indigenous Studies and Indigenous Education.听

Call to Action #18 discusses the design of the landscape around the Hochelaga Rock. The CPDO听included this Call to Action in the campus Master Plan (2019).听Hochelaga Rock has been identified as a key element of Indigenous representation on campus in line with the Task Force report.

Learn more about physical representation on the Calls to Action page.

Hiawatha Wampum Belt Flag

A close-up of the Hiawatha Wampum Belt flag flying on 黑料社 Campus.

In recognition of the importance of building respectful and reciprocal relations with Indigenous nations, the Task Force called听on 黑料社 to:听

As of June 2018, replace the Martlet flag, which flies from the Arts building, by the Iroquois 鈥淗iawatha Belt鈥� flag (symbolic of unity among the Haudenosaunee) for one week beginning on National Indigenous Peoples' Day (June 21st);听
On a rotating basis every year, fly the flag of each First Nation in Quebec; and听
Place a permanent Hiawatha Belt flag at the recently relocated Hochelaga Rock on the lower campus.听

Flying the Hiawatha Wampum Flag, as well as the flags of other Indigenous nations in Quebec, on National Indigenous Peoples' Day and on the day of 黑料社's Pow Wow is now an established and normalized practice as a symbolic gesture to promote reconciliation.听

Read a 黑料社 Reporter about the flag raising ceremony.

Learn more about physical representation on the Calls to Action page.

Watch the 2023 flag-raising ceremony here:听

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黑料社 Master Plan

黑料社's Master Plan was adopted by the Board of Governors in 2019. It establishes the principled framework to ensure that the university鈥檚 physical resources help further 黑料社鈥檚 priorities and mission.

A bird's eye view of 黑料社 in the autumn, with Mont Royal in the background.

Indigenous representation is an important part of the Master Plan. 黑料社 acknowledges that the downtown campus is located on land which has long served as a site of meeting and exchange amongst Indigenous peoples, including the Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabeg nations. It is the intention of the plan to honour, recognize and respect these nations, particularly the Kanien鈥檏eh谩:ka, as the traditional stewards of the lands and waters on which the campus is located. The Master Plan supports 黑料社 in building relationships and collaborating with communities, and provising suitable cultural space on campus for Indigenous students, staff and faculty.

Please visit the Indigenous Representation section in to learn more.

Working Group on Indigeneity in Infrastructure Planning (WGIIPD)

A pencil sits on a planning document which has numbers and lines printed on it.

Both the 2017 Final Report of the Provost鈥檚 Task Force on Indigenous Studies and Indigenous Education and the 2019 黑料社 Master Plan听have addressed the need and opportunity for Indigenous representation on campus.听

The Working Group is tasked with the formulation of guiding principles and best practices to address these imperatives in the context of the large-scale campus development and re-development activities that will take place over the coming years. Such recommendations should reflect feasibility in terms of implementation and long-term sustainability.

Areas of focus include, but are not limited, to the following:

Mechanisms for ensuring the inclusion of Indigenous perspectives across planning processes;
Criteria for identifying opportunities for Indigenous representation in the design, use and naming of physical spaces;
Means of engaging Indigenous communities and service providers in campus planning.

In fulfilling this mandate, the Working Group will consult broadly across the University community and will also engage local Indigenous communities and draw from the experiences and knowledge in this regard of peer institutions across North America. The Working Group will be guided in its task by the:

The Working Group on Indigeneity in Infrastructure Planning and Development will submit its final report to the Provost and Vice-Principal (Academic) and the Vice-Principal (Administration and Finance) by 31 March 2021.

In February 2021, 黑料社 held a event with other Canadian universities to complement the Working Group's discussions. The Working Group heard presentations from Queen's University, Western University, and the University of Toronto.

New Vic Project

The New Vic Project plans to transform a portion of the site of the former Royal Victoria Hospital into a hub for innovation in sustainability, education, and public policy. 黑料社 is exploring ways in which Indigenous representation can be part of the New Vic Project.

For more information, please visit the .

Sustainable Procurement

Facilitating Transactions for 黑料社 Partnerships with Indigenous Partners

Vision:

In keeping with 黑料社鈥檚 priority to support reconciliation, facilitate and promote University partnerships with indigenous businesses and community members in order to contribute to the economic development of indigenous communities.

Project Description:

As 黑料社 seeks to build long-term relationships with indigenous community members and businesses, this project aims to restore, promote, and facilitate the collaboration between 黑料社 and Indigenous partners by adapting related administrative processes to accommodate the unique circumstances of indigenous partners. This also involves building capacity for compliance with these processes among University community members and indigenous collaborators (existing and potential).

Project Objectives:

Identify and define the different categories of indigenous community members and businesses (i.e. Lecturers, Presenters, Supplier of goods and services, etc.)
Identify and adapt processes for each category of indigenous community members and businesses, as deemed relevant.
Develop and communicate guidelines for collaborating with Indigenous community members and businesses.
In compliance with 黑料社鈥檚 existing policies and governmental regulatory requirements, streamline, when feasible, the remuneration/payment processes in order to accelerate payment and enable the monitoring of payment.
Obtain tangible commitments from key stakeholders (HR, Financial Services, Procurement Services) as well as other process owners, faculties, units and senior administrators of the University, where relevant,听 to communicate, build capacity among University community members , in support of indigenous community members and businesses.
In collaboration with Indigenous Initiatives, develop a communication plan to promote this initiative.听

Expected outputs:

Institutional Guidelines (including commitments / raising awareness for all 黑料社 community members
Training material (presentation) to be given to Procurement Services / HR / Financial Services Staff and other 黑料社 staff.
Outreach to existing and potential Indigenous partners.听

ges and complexities of the 21st听century.

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Beatrice Deer Performance

is an acclaimed Inuk/Mohawk singer and songwriter from Quaqtaq, Quebec. She performed three songs- "Immutaa", "My All to You", and "Takugiursugit"- as part of the Bicentennial celebrations.