This month, U of G is proud to commemorate National Indigenous History Month.
Throughout June we encourage members of our community to recognize and celebrate First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples and the richness of Indigenous cultures.
On June 21 we will also recognize National Indigenous Peoples Day, which coincides with the Summer Solstice and holds great significance for many Indigenous cultures.
As the University continues to make progress on the commitments outlined in Bi-Naagwad | It Comes Into View, the University community continues to find ways to advance Indigenization, reconciliation and decolonization in our work. I’d like to highlight a few examples:
Roadmaps to Reconciliation and Reparations
In April, the Office of Teaching and Learning launched Roadmaps to Reconciliation and Reparations, in partnership with the Chatham-Kent Black Historical Society, Black Mecca Musuem and Six Nations Polytechnic. Largely funded by the EDI enhancement fund, the event saw 50 faculty, instructors, students and staff participating from across all the U of G campuses. This is initiative was a great success and contributed to reconciliatory relationship building between the University Guelph and The Chatham-Kent Black Historical Society and Six Nations Polytechnic.
Launch of IndigenERA lab
One recent milestone in this journey is the launching of the IndigenERA Lab in March. The lab is working on the Indigenous Value-based Environmental Health Risk Assessment (IEHRA) project, which is an extension of Dr. Diana Lewis’ work with Pictou Landing First Nation in Nova Scotia, exploring the effects of environmental exposure from a nearby pulp and paper mill on the community. In this project, Lewis’ methodology is applied to assessing environmental health risks with other Indigenous communities in Canada with a community-centred, community-controlled approach.
Troy Hourie Recognized for Research Excellence
Additionally, we are proud to celebrate the accomplishments of Troy Hourie, associate professor in the School of English and Theatre Studies as he received a U of G Research Excellence Award this fall.
Hourie is an acclaimed scenographer and installation artist whose groundbreaking international profile in building performative spaces is driven by a desire to push the boundaries of spectator engagement and intermediality. During his current research leave, he has directed and designed three new Indigenous artworks:
- Nanatasis | An Abenaki Puppetry Opera, The 20th edition of the Casteliers International Festival in Montréal
- Antikoni, a new Nez Perce play for Native Voices at the Autry in Los Angeles
- Pure Native, a new Haudenosaunee play for Geva Theatre in New York (the first all Native creative team and cast in a major theatre in the USA)
These are just a few examples of the important work happening across the University. Throughout Indigenous History Month, we invite everyone to engage in the opportunities on campus and in the local community that highlight and amplify Indigenous voices and recognize the resilience, wisdom and contributions of Indigenous communities.
- Dr. Rene Van Acker, President and Vice-Chancellor
- Dr. Cara Wehkamp, Assistant Vice-President (Indigenous Initiatives)
Learn more about what’s happening on campus for Indigenous History Month.
Acknowledging Our Relations
We offer our respect and gratitude to Indigenous peoples and the lands and waters that sustain us. The University of Guelph’s campuses are located on the lands of the Dish with One Spoon Wampum and the traditional lands and territory of the Anishinaabeg, Haudenosaunee and Huron Wendat. These lands are now inhabited by a rich diversity of First Nations, Inuit and Métis people. We recognize that our educational and research activities also occur on Indigenous lands across Canada and globally. Through this land acknowledgment, we uphold our commitments to seeking truth and advancing reconciliation with Indigenous peoples and affirm our responsibility to realize these commitments through our ongoing actions.