First Nations House

John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture

Ziibiing

Indigenous Initiatives

Kelly Hannah-Moffat

Scott Mabury

First Nations House

Hart House

Indigenous

Landmark

Subheadline

The Ziibiing space includes a central pavilion, amphitheatre and plantings of medicinal trees and shrubs

The University of Toronto commemorated the official opening of Ziibiing, an Indigenous landscape project that uses architecture, horticulture and storytelling to honour Indigenous cultures and provide a space for community members to gather, learn and host ceremonies on the St. George campus.

The opening celebration for Ziibiing, held Monday Sept. 23, included a traditional Elder’s opening, a welcome song and the burning of a sacred fire – the first fire to be lit in Ziibiing’s pavilion and one of several Indigenous ceremonial practices that are welcome on all three U of T campuses.

Here’s how the event unfolded through the lens of U of T photographers:

(photo by Polina Teif)

Michael White, director of First Nations House, tends to the sacred fire in the Ziibiing pavilion as Jenny Blackbird, resource centre and programs co-ordinator at First Nations House, looks on.

Ceremonial fires, smudging and pipe ceremonies are among the important Indigenous practices that take place on U of T’s three campuses.

(photo by Polina Teif)

Blackbird performs a traditional song to welcome U of T community members to the celebration.

(photo by Polina Teif)

The vision for Ziibiing was developed by an Indigenous Advisory Committee in collaboration with the Indigenous Design Studio at Brook McIlroy, who in turn consulted with Indigenous students, faculty, staff, the Council of Indigenous Initiatives Elders' Circle and representatives of local First Nations.

The project was born out of Answering the Call: Wecheehetowin, the final report of the Steering Committee for the University of Toronto Response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, which outlined the need for dedicated Indigenous spaces on campus.

From left: James Bird and Shannon Simpson (photos by Polina Teif)(photo by Polina Teif)

Several members of the U of T community spoke at the event.

“Our voices, traditions and histories are woven into the fabric of this new landscape, sending a clear signal that we are seen, that we matter and that we belong,” said Shannon Simpson, senior director of the Office of Indigenous Initiatives and a member of the Mississaugas of Alderville First Nation, in her remarks at the ceremony.

(photo by Polina Teif)

Ziibiing is named for the Anishinaabemowin word for “river,” a reference to the Taddle Creek waterway that once flowed through the area and served as a gathering place for Indigenous Peoples.

It’s an example of how Indigenous design and Western architectural disciplines can come together to assist in placemaking, according to James Bird, a Knowledge Keeper from the Nehiyawak and Dene Nation and PhD candidate in the John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design.

“In the practice of architecture, there are ways one can approach the creation of space and its activation through design," said Bird. “This alternative viewpoint assigns agency to the metaphysical aspects that exist within Indigenous cultures and in turn allows metaphysical relationships to be made into physical form.”

(photo by Polina Teif)

In her remarks to the event’s attendees, Kelly Hannah-Moffat, U of T’s vice-president, people strategy, equity and culture, said that, in addition to serving a vital role as a teaching and ceremonial space for Indigenous students, employees and Elders, Ziibiing will encourage the entire U of T community to “find innovative ways to Indigenize this institution.”

She noted the space has already hosted a recent land-based learning workshop that invited members of the U of T community to deepen their understanding of Indigenous world views, teachings and connections to the land. The workshop was organized by the Office of Indigenous Initiatives, with future sessions scheduled for Oct. 22 and Nov. 19.

(photo by Polina Teif)

The Ziibiing pavilion is supported by 13 columns that symbolize the 13 moons of the year. They circle a fire pit where ceremonial fires may be lit and maintained by Indigenous firekeepers.

(photo by David Lee)

The creation of Ziibiing took place alongside the Landmark Project, which aimed to revitalize the historic core of the St. George campus.

Scott Mabury, U of T’s vice-president, operations and real estate partnerships, said U of T community members have already embraced Ziibiing, as well as the other new spaces, as evidenced by their increased use of the reimagined landscapes.

“We didn’t know what we didn’t have before,” he said.

The year in pictures: U of T News looks back at 2023

mattimar — Tue, 19 Dec 2023 14:58:42 +0000

The year in pictures: U of T News looks back at 2023

mattimar Tue, 12/19/2023 - 09:58

Cutline

Dancer Deanne Hupfield at the inaugural All-Nations Powwow co-hosted by U of T Mississauga’s Indigenous Centre and the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation (photo by Nick Iwanyshyn)

Mariam Matti

Topic

Institutional Strategic Initiatives

Acceleration Consortium

Geoexchange

Joe's Basketball Diaries

UTogether

Artificial Intelligence

Entrepreneurship

Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering

Faculty of Arts & Science

Undergraduate Students

University Health Network

The University of Toronto marked many memorable milestones across the three campuses in 2023.

From co-hosting an inaugural All-Nations Powwow to guiding the future of artificial intelligence and advocating for social justice around the world, members of the U of T community and their partners made an impact well beyond the classroom in 2023.

And photographers at U of T News and elsewhere at the university were often on hand to capture the action.

Here are just a few of the special moments that shaped U of T this year:

(photo by David Lee)

The Landmark Project has transformed the historic core of U of T’s St. George campus around King’s College Circle into a greener, more accessible and pedestrian-friendly space.

Front Campus is also now home to Canada’s largest urban geoexchange system, which will generate renewable energy and store surplus heat in the summer for use in the cold winter months. The system will save the university an estimated 15,000 metric tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions annually – a key part of U of T’s climate-positive plans and among the reasons it was recently named the most sustainable university in the world.

(photo by Lisa Lightbourn)

Following Geoffrey Hinton’s departure from Google, U of T News travelled to his home in London, England, for an in-depth conversation with the U of T University Professor Emeritus of computer science about the dangers posed by unchecked advances in AI, the role he and others played in creating the technology and the importance of responsible development.

(photo by Nick Iwanyshyn)

Abby-Gayle Isadora Allen celebrated completing the Support, Engage, Experience University of Toronto Mississauga program this year by dancing beside Juno Award-winning singer Liberty Silver during the graduation ceremony.

The innovative program aims to make university education more accessible to Black youth who are underrepresented at Canada’s post-secondary schools. Students in Grade 11 and 12 earn a university half-credit and two Ontario Secondary School Diploma credits, have a co-op experience and are mentored by a senior U of T undergraduate student while simultaneously completing their high school semester.

Similar programs operate at U of T Scarborough and the St. George campus, which introduced SEE U of T, the inaugural version of this access program, four years ago in collaboration with the Toronto District School Board.

(photo by Luis Mora)

Jaivet Ealom, a U of T student, author, a member of the persecuted Rohingya minority and refugee advocate, shared his harrowing escape to Canada in U of T News and U of T Magazine.

Ealom fled his home country of Myanmar in 2013. Before arriving at U of T, he had travelled through six countries and three continents seeking asylum – surviving a near-drowning and multiple detentions along the way.

(photo by Johnny Guatto)

U of T hosted the 14^th annual Native American and Indigenous Studies Association (NAISA) conference in May, which brought together global scholars, artists, Elders and independent professionals working in the field of Indigenous Studies. The event covered themes from food sovereignty to contemporary Indigenous cinema and language revitalization.

(photo by Polina Teif)

Brokoslaw Laschowski, a research scientist at the KITE Research Institute, University Health Network, and assistant professor in the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering, and his team are developing AI-powered wearable technology for medical applications.

Known as the “bionic professor,” Laschowski is passionate about developing assistive technology such as bionic prosthetic legs and exoskeletons to help individuals with physical disabilities.

In his spare time, he’s helping students from Ukraine flee the Russian invasion and war to come to U of T to continue their studies.

(photo by Chai Chen)

Charlotte Wargniez graduated from U of T Scarborough at the age of 17 with a major in environmental geoscience and a minor in applied climatology.

She wrapped up her degree with many impressive accolades – including the Rose Sheinin Award, given to the highest-performing woman student in science across U of T’s three campuses and an excellence and leadership award from U of T Scarborough's department of physical and environmental sciences.

(photo by Johnny Guatto)

The Acceleration Consortium at U of T, an institutional strategic initiative, was awarded a $200-million grant from the Canada First Research Excellence Fund to revolutionize the speed and impact of materials discovery – all with a focus on building a sustainable future.

The funding – the largest federal research grant ever awarded to a Canadian university – supports the consortium’s work on “self-driving labs” that combine AI, robotics and advanced computing to discover new materials and molecules at a fraction of the usual time and cost.

With a strong plan of equity, diversity and inclusion guiding project implementation and research design, the initiative will commercialize ethically designed technologies and materials to benefit society and train today’s scientists with the skills they need to advance the emerging field of accelerated materials discovery. It will also allow the consortium to examine critical issues regarding the application of the technology, including from environmental and Indigenous perspectives.

(photo by Polina Teif)

Niloofar Ganji, a PhD student in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine, is changing the world in more ways than one.

Ganji not only conducts groundbreaking research on a critical condition affecting premature infants – she is deeply committed to activism for social change in her home country of Iran.

As an executive member of U of T Students for a Free Iran (UTSFI), she has organized many events at the university in support of the anti-regime movement in Iran. She hopes to use her knowledge and expertise in pediatrics and healthcare to work for the Iranian people one day.

(photo supplied)

When a catastrophic series of earthquakes hit Türkiye and Syria earlier this year, students from the Turkish Students Association (pictured) at U of T Scarborough rallied together to collect funds and in-kind donations on campus.

They were among the many U of T community members across the three campuses who pitched in to help raise awareness and funds in the wake of the disaster.

(photo by Nithya Thayaal)

U of T celebrated the graduation of more than 21,000 students from the university’s three campuses in 2023 – including the U of T Scarborough student pictured above.

Friends and family looked on as many of those graduates crossed the stage inside Convocation Hall during convocation ceremonies held in spring and fall.

(photo by Johnny Guatto)

Peter Ma, an undergraduate math and physics student in the Faculty of Arts & Science, is dedicated to searching for life beyond our planet by drawing on his passion for science – and artificial intelligence in particular.

He became the youngest member of a team of international researchers at the University of California, Berkeley who are searching the stars for extraterrestrial intelligence and was lead author on a paper published earlier this year in the journal Nature Astronomy.

From left to right: William Lou, Joseph Wong, Sam Ibrahim and Aleer Aleer-Leek (photo by Polina Teif)

In the first episode of the second season of the award-winning series Joe’s Basketball Diaries, host Joseph Wong sits down with Will Lou, writer and co-host of the Raptors Show podcast, Sam Ibrahim, a business leader, philanthropist and major supporter of U of T Scarborough, and Aleer Aleer-Leek, a U of T student and Varsity Blues basketball player, to talk about community and sports.

In future episodes, Wong, U of T’s vice-president, international, and a professor in the department of political science and the Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy in the Faculty of Arts & Science, and guests take the conversation beyond the court as they discuss topics ranging from sustainability to inclusion.

(photo by Johnny Guatto)

Studying at U of T gave Alicia Corbiere an opportunity to re-engage with her culture when she began learning from Indigenous professors and studying Anishinaabemowin. She also connected with her community by joining First Nations House and the Indigenous Students’ Association.

After graduating with a degree in criminology and Indigenous studies from the Faculty of Arts & Science in the spring, Corbiere went on to study Indigenous law at U of T’s Faculty of Law.

(photo by Polina Teif)

The leafy, green lettuce that many members of the U of T community are eating in their salads, sandwiches and hamburgers is not just locally grown – but grown on the St. George campus by a student-led startup in partnership with U of T Food Services.

Lyrata co-founders Leo Hua (pictured), Carol Lin and Adnan Sharif say they are bringing innovations to the field of sustainability – including 3D-printed soil.

With a degree in Indigenous studies, U of T grad Alicia Corbiere aims to build on her family’s legal legacy

bresgead — Tue, 06 Jun 2023 17:39:30 +0000

With a degree in Indigenous studies, U of T grad Alicia Corbiere aims to build on her family’s legal legacy

bresgead Tue, 06/06/2023 - 13:39

Cutline

Alicia Corbiere, who is graduating with a degree in criminology and Indigenous studies, is headed to U of T’s Faculty of Law this fall (photo by Johnny Guatto)

Adina Bresge

Convocation 2023

Indigenous Studies

Faculty of Arts & Science

Subheadline

'Indigenous studies has so much to offer – and that should be taken seriously'

Alicia Corbiere says she felt like there wasn’t a place for her Indigenous identity inside the classroom before she came to the University of Toronto.

Growing up, Corbiere says, her mother pulled her and her sister out of school to give them first-hand lessons in history through her work as a lawyer and executive director of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

Kimberly Murray brought her daughters to national events held by the commission to hear witnesses share their stories about the harms and painful legacy of Canada’s residential school system.

“[My mom] would tell us, ‘This is important. They’re going to teach this in history classes,’” Corbiere says. “I remember I didn’t believe her at the time.”

Her skepticism stemmed from her personal experience in elementary and high school. Corbiere, who is Ojibwe and Mohawk, says on the rare occasions her teachers touched on Indigenous subjects, they would often ask her to educate rest of her class since she was the only Indigenous student.

“They’d be like, ‘Oh, Alicia, how do you pronounce this?’” Corbiere recalls. “And I was like, ‘Well, I’m not Mi’kmaq, so I can’t pronounce that.’”

Corbiere says she drifted away from her culture as a teenager, but re-engaged when she began learning from Indigenous professors at U of T and studying Anishinaabemowin (photo by Johnny Guatto)

When it came time to apply to university, Corbiere says she worried she wouldn’t fit into the world of academia – until she discovered that U of T offered a program where she could engage with her heritage, history and culture from a scholarly perspective.

“I didn’t even know Indigenous studies existed,” Corbiere says. “That is the reason I chose the school.”

Four years later, Corbiere is graduating from the Faculty of Arts & Science as a member of University College, with a double major in criminology and Indigenous studies.

Both in the classroom and at First Nations House, Corbiere says connecting with her community at U of T has given her the confidence to join the family business of making history by studying Indigenous law when she enters U of T’s Faculty of Law this fall.

“It’s important for us to not feel embarrassed or [deterred from] focusing on our own scholarship and academics,” Corbiere says. “Indigenous studies has so much to offer – and that should be taken seriously.”

While her mother made a point of immersing her in the Indigenous community of Toronto, Corbiere says she drifted away from her culture as a teenager.

But that changed once Corbiere started taking Indigenous studies courses taught by Indigenous professors who challenged “damaged-centred” narratives that reinforce stereotypes about Indigenous Peoples being broken or conquered. In their place, Corbiere engaged with research frameworks rooted in resilience and cultural reclamation.

“When I came to U of T, that's when I was able to really return to how my mom raised me, how she wanted us to see ourselves and live our lives.”

Corbiere also started studying Anishinaabemowin.

“That completely changed my life in every way,” she says. “People say you start seeing the world a little differently once you learn about a second language, and I feel that way about my language.”

Corbiere participates in the Indigenous Graduation celebration at First Nations House (photo by Nicole In)

Soon after arriving at U of T, Corbiere became a fixture at First Nations House. But she says when COVID-19 turned campus life upside down, she found herself feeling disconnected from her community.

After about two years of remote learning, Corbiere says was eager to get involved in extracurricular activities. She was tapped to help revitalize the Indigenous Students’ Association, which introduced her to Indigenous students from a wide range of disciplines – many of whom hadn’t yet had the chance to find community in the classroom.

“I had a lot of people tell me, ‘This is the first time I'm making Indigenous friends at U of T,’” she says. “To be able to be a part of bringing the (ISA) back and bringing so many people together has been so special for me.”

As one of the ISA’s Marten Clan leaders, Corbiere helped cook lunches, planned special events and hosted an Anishinaabemowin study group.

Michael White, director of U of T's First Nations House and Indigenous Student Services, said he’s confident Corbiere will bring that same community-building spirit to U of T Law.

“She brings such a positive mental attitude and a willingness to engage. These are really important qualities as she moves into this sphere of life,” White says. “She’s going to do amazing things.”

While she had her pick of graduate schools, Corbiere said she decided to stay at U of T because of the opportunities to learn about traditional law and legal sovereignty from scholars such as John Borrows, a professor and Loveland Chair in Indigenous Law.

It’s likely that she’ll come across a few familiar names in her coursework.

Corbiere, fourth from right, poses for a group photo at the Indigenous Graduation celebration at First Nations House (photo by Nicole In)

Her father, Gary Corbiere, was among the lawyers who successfully argued the landmark case Corbiere vs. Canada, in which the Supreme Court of Canada found that a section of the Indian Act restricting off-reserve band members from voting in band elections was in violation of the Charter. He drowned when she was three years old, prompting Murray to put her two daughters in swimming lessons – a decision that ultimately led the pair to competitive swimming when they got older.

Meanwhile, Murray followed up her work with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission by becoming Ontario’s first assistant deputy attorney general for Indigenous Justice. Last year, the federal government appointed Murray as independent special interlocutor for missing children and unmarked graves and burial sites associated with former residential schools.

Corbiere says her undergraduate studies at U of T have set her up to build on her family’s legal legacy.

“Just seeing what my parents accomplished – especially my dad in his short life – has really inspired me to continue on,” said Corbiere. “My mom worked on a lot of criminal law cases and cases working with Canadian law, but now she talks a lot about how important legal sovereignty is.

“I feel like I can pick up from where she left off.”

Every Child Matters Flag raised at U of T's Varsity Stadium in advance of Sept. 30

Christopher.Sorensen — Tue, 20 Sep 2022 18:38:55 +0000

Every Child Matters Flag raised at U of T's Varsity Stadium in advance of Sept. 30

Christopher.Sorensen Tue, 09/20/2022 - 14:38

Cutline

The Every Child Matters Flag flies at Varsity Stadium in advance of Orange Shirt Day and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Sept. 30, which will be marked by events across the university (photo by Makeda Marc-Ali)

Jelena Damjanovic

Topic

Centre for Indigenous Studies

Orange Shirt Day

Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical Education

First Nations House

Hart House

Indigenous

Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre

The Every Child Matters flag was raised at the University of Toronto’s Varsity Stadium this week in solidarity with Indigenous Peoples across Canada.

The orange flag will be flown alongside the university’s and Varsity Blues’ flags until Sept. 30, the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day, when all flags across the three campuses will be lowered to half-mast in memory of all the Indigenous children who perished in residential schools and those who survived.

Professor Gretchen Kerr, dean of the U of T Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical Education (KPE), said the raising of the Every Child Matters flag was an important sign of support for Indigenous communities.

“Public commemoration of the tragic and painful history and ongoing impacts of the Indian residential school system is a vital component of the reconciliation process,” said Kerr. “It’s both an opportunity to honour the intergenerational survivors and to commemorate those who didn’t return home.

“It’s also a time for settlers to reflect on taking action to strengthen relationships with Indigenous Peoples and build a better future together. I encourage all students, staff and faculty members of KPE to attend Truth and Reconciliation events where their schedule permits and to spend some time reflecting on their own efforts towards reconciliation.”

The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day will be commemorated on Sept. 30 across U of T’s three campuses.

Hart House will host a university-wide event open to all students, librarians, faculty librarians and staff across the three campuses. The keynote speaker will be Brenda Wastasecoot, an assistant professor at the Centre for Indigenous Studies.

The tri-campus event, which can be attended in-person in Hart House’s Great Hall or viewed via livestream, will also include remarks from Kelly Hannah-Moffat, vice-president of people strategy, equity and culture, and Alexandra Gillespie, U of T vice-president and principal of U of T Mississauga. Varsity Stadium also plans to livestream the event under the concourse. Members of the U of T community will be asked to present their T-card at the doors.

At U of T Scarborough, there are several events planned for the lead-up to Sept. 30. They include a Sept. 26 workshop called “Walking the Talk” that will use an Indigenous framework to unpack short examples around answering the Calls to Action on campus and a Sept. 29 screening of Rumble: the Indians Who Rocked the World, which is co-presented by the department of arts, culture and media and the Indigenous Outreach Program.

The Indigenous Centre at U of T Mississauga, meanwhile, has a limited number of tickets for a public virtual tour of the Mohawk Institute Residential School in Brantford, Ont. The centre has also compiled a list of resources to help the U of T Mississauga community prepare for Orange Shirt Day.

All members of the U of T community – and Canadians nationwide – are encouraged to wear an orange shirt on Sept. 30 to affirm that “Every Child Matters.” The U of T Bookstore, in partnership with the Office of Indigenous Initiatives, will have a limited supply of Orange Shirt Day shirts available for purchase. All proceeds from the sales of the shirts are being directed to Indigenous community organizations.

U of T community members are also invited to use the Orange Shirt Day icon as their profile photo and use the virtual backdrop on Teams or Zoom calls the week of Sept. 26.

On Oct. 3, Hart House farm will host the U of T Indigenous Community Gathering for Indigenous students, staff, faculty and librarians. The event is organized and supported by the Office of Indigenous Initiatives, Hart House, the Faculty of Arts & Science, the Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical Education, Woodsworth College, U of T Mississauga Indigenous Centre and First Nations House.

Learn more about upcoming events at Indigenous U of T

'It's OK to ask questions': Four tips for new and returning U of T students

Christopher.Sorensen — Wed, 07 Sep 2022 14:26:14 +0000

'It's OK to ask questions': Four tips for new and returning U of T students

Christopher.Sorensen Wed, 09/07/2022 - 10:26

Cutline

ASKme Anything booths and volunteers, which can be found across U of T's three campuses, aim to create a friendly and welcoming community for new and returning students (photo by David Lee)

Topic

U of T Mississauga

University of Toronto students are kicking off the fall term this week with in-person classes and orientation events across the three campuses.

It’s the biggest-ever back-to-school season as incoming students – and some upper-year students who have attended university remotely until now – arrive on campus for the first time.

U of T News has rounded up a back-to-school starter kit of four key things new or returning students should know to help start the 2022-2023 academic year off on the right foot.

Need help navigating campus? Just ask!

How and where do I get my TCard? What are some gym and recreational activities at U of T? Where can I meet new people around campus? For new students, navigating campus can initially feel a little daunting. Fortunately, U of T’s ASKme Anything booths and ambassadors are here to help.

The program is aimed at creating a friendly and welcoming community for students across all three campuses.

On the St. George campus, there are four booths set up near the Koffler Student Services Centre, the main campus gates on College Street, Sidney Smith Hall and Robarts Library until Sept. 23. There will also be hundreds of individuals on campus wearing an orange ASKme Anything button, who are ready and willing to assist students.

“ASKme has become somewhat of an icon of the back-to-school season,” says Ashley Yim, an ASKme program assistant and student ambassador. “Our booths and student ambassadors not only make everyone feel welcomed on campus, but we also make everyone look forward to the new school year.

“The welcoming atmosphere is especially important for new students who are on campus, or even in Toronto, for the first time.”

At U of T Scarborough, ASKme Anything booths will be located by the bus loop outside Highland Hall, at the front of the Student Centre and at the front of the Instructional Centre. There will also be ASKme ambassadors with orange buttons around campus to help students out. Some staff and faculty will participate by displaying ASKme signs in their offices.

On the U of T Mississauga campus, there will be individuals wearing ASKme Anything buttons from Sept. 3 to Sept. 23 at orientation and various events. Students are also encouraged to visit the Centre for Student Engagement front desk office to have their questions answered.

ASKme ambassadors are at campus #UofTBackToSchool events this month.
Look for staff, librarians, faculty and senior students wearing ASKme buttons if you have questions about #UTM. We're here to help! pic.twitter.com/44WhQNOeVu
— U of T Mississauga (@UTM) September 7, 2022

AskMe booth outside of the U of T Bookstore, St. George campus (photo by David Lee)

Yim, a U of T alumna of the Faculty of Arts & Science, says the ASKMe Anything booths and ambassadors create an inviting space for students while also sending the message that “it’s OK to ask questions and reach out. In fact, we encourage you to do so.”

“This way, new students will more likely make connections in the future, whether it’s with their peers, instructors, staff or community members.”

Students who need help navigating the three campuses can also access U of T’s new campus map feature.

Remember to prioritize health and wellness

U of T is home to a range of services and opportunities that support students’ physical and mental health.

On the St. George campus, students have a variety of gym options including the Hart House Fitness Centre, Athletic Centre and the Goldring Centre for High Performance. Across the facilities, students can find swimming pools, strength and conditioning centres, indoor tracks, dance studios, cardio machines, tennis and squash courts and so much more. At U of T Mississauga, The Recreation, Athletics and Wellness Centre offers programs such as yoga to relieve stress, group fitness, women’s only classes, personal training session and more. Athletics and Recreation at U of T Scarborough is similarly a hub of activity on campus, which is home to the Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre.

All three campuses offer an intramural sports program – a great opportunity to create or join a team, meet new people and stay physically active.

Self-care and wellness are also a key part of maintaining a healthy student lifestyle – and, across the university, resources include peer support from trained students, yoga clubs, and workshops on managing stress or studying smarter. Programming includes a Community Support Group, Mindful Moments classes, Better Coping Skills sessions and live cooking classes. Check out the Student Mental Health Resource for a tri-campus list of programs and workshops.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Hart House Fitness Centre UofT (@harthousefitnesscentre)

For students seeking mental health support, U of T has many virtual and in-person services and programs. Navi, short for navigator, is a chat-based virtual assistant that can be used to search all mental health services and resources offered by all campuses. The tool is accessible 24/7 and communication is anonymous.

U of T My Student Support Program (MySSP) offers 24-hour support for any school, health or general life concern. Students can access it by downloading an app or by calling 1-844-451-9700 (for outside of North America, call 001-416-380-6578). The service is available in 146 languages.

Seek out places to find your community

Making connections at university goes well beyond the classroom. From hundreds of clubs and student groups to volunteer opportunities, events and more, all three U of T campuses are home to extensive programming to help find your community.

At St. George, Student Life is a great first stop for mentorship and peer programs that offer support from upper year students, coaching skills and opportunities to network and make connections. Programs include Latin American Student Engagement, African Black Caribbean Student Engagement, Southeast Asian Student Engagement, First Generation Student Engagement and more.

U of T is home to hundreds of community-oriented clubs and student groups, including UTSC Cheer (photo by Geoffrey Vendeville)

On Sept. 8 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., undergraduate students are invited to attend a virtual workshop called Talking to New People. The session is meant to help students who may be feeling anxious or fearful about making new connections at university. And, on Sept. 12 from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m., a learning strategist will lead a virtual workshop called Planning for the Semester, which will focus on helping students create strategies to manage the semester workload.

For more workshops and events, check out the Student Life calendar.

Another key destination is Hart House, a student centre on the St. George campus that offers programming and clubs ranging from archery and debate to photography and chess – all housed in a beautiful, century-old building.

For Indigenous students, First Nations House at the St. George campus is an important cultural hub. The space offers academic support, opportunities to meet with Elders and traditional teachers for support and guidance, financial aid advising and other services. On Sept. 14, First Nations House will host an Indigenous student orientation from 3 to 5 p.m.

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A post shared by U of T Student Life (@uoftstudentlife)

At U of T Mississauga, the Indigenous Centre invites students, staff and faculty to ongoing monthly lunch and learn for an informal chat about Indigenous cultures.

The Indigenous Outreach Program at U of T Scarborough, meanwhile, provides students learning opportunities and resources as well as a chance to meet with Elders and traditional teachers for guidance and support (A dedicated Indigenous Centre is under construction).

Be conscious of online and campus safety

With several scams targeting students, it’s more important than ever to safeguard your personal information.

Shannon Howes, director, high risk, community safety and crisis and emergency preparedness at U of T, says students should be aware of scare tactics used in emails, text messages and phone calls.

“Legitimate government organizations and law enforcement agencies will never threaten you in exchange for payment of funds,” says Howes.

When contacted by someone, Howes recommends stopping whatever you’re doing, taking a breath and evaluating whether what you’re being told to do actually makes sense.

“Is this an organization that you normally deal with and is known to you? Is this a person who you actually know in real life? Does what they’re asking you to do make sense? If the answer is no, talk to someone you trust about the situation before you take any action.”

Howes adds that scammers have ways of changing the call display on a phone to say things like “police” or can create spoof email accounts to trick users into thinking a message is coming from someone who they trust.

“Be aware of receiving offers from people you do not know, jobs you didn’t apply for or prizes from contests you didn’t enter,” she says. “If an offer sounds too good to be true, it usually is.”

Students should watch for job scams, rental scams, law enforcement impersonations and phishing scams, Howes says, adding that students who wish to discuss any safety concerns can book an appointment to meet with a community safety case manager at U of T’s Community Safety Office.

“The office also has a has a dedicated Fraud Prevention Page on its website with information about different types of frauds and scams, fraud prevention tips, tips for safety on social media and a list of resources and supports available,” says Howes.

Security Matters – U of T’s security awareness and education initiative – publishes regular blog posts, news and educational resources including helpful tip sheets.

Also available to U of T students are Phish Bowl, which provides examples of recently reported phishing incidents, and Housing Services – a resource for the St. George campus that provides workshop and assistance to individuals seeking housing or dealing with housing issues.

Safety is a priority across all three U of T campuses. The U of T Campus Safety app features emergency contacts, tips, support services, and a live chat feature that connects users with U of T safety staff in real-time. App users can also use a Mobile Bluelight feature which sends the user’s on-campus location to the safety team in case of a crisis. Other features include TravelSafer, which allows safety staff to monitor a user’s walk on campus, and Friend Walk, which allows a trusted contact to monitor your walk anywhere in the world.

As well, students and all current members of the U of T community are automatically subscribed to UTAlert – a service that allows the university to send important messages via email and text.

Learn more at UTogether

Eagle Feather introduced to convocation ceremonies as a symbol of U of T's commitment to reconciliation

geoff.vendeville — Tue, 07 Jun 2022 17:05:58 +0000

Eagle Feather introduced to convocation ceremonies as a symbol of U of T's commitment to reconciliation

geoff.vendeville Tue, 06/07/2022 - 13:05

Cutline

Lindsey Fechtig, manager of the Office of Indigenous Health in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine and U of T's first-ever Eagle Feather Bearer, walks down the aisle at Convocation Hall (photo by Steve Frost)

Geoffrey Vendeville

Topic

Temerty Faculty of Medicine

Convocation 2022

Alumni

Faculty of Arts & Science

For the first time in the University of Toronto's 195-year history, the chancellor's procession at convocation was led by a symbol of the university's enduring partnership with Indigenous Peoples.

A member of U of T's Indigenous community – in this case, Lindsey Fechtig, a U of T alumna and manager of the Office of Indigenous Health in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine – served as Eagle Feather Bearer, a new ceremonial role that grew out of the recommendations of the university's Convocation Review.

“It's a tremendous honour,” said Fechtig, a member of Curve Lake First Nation near Peterborough, Ont. “So, to be in this position of privilege and just having the faculty honour this, and the institution honour our ways of knowing and doing, and our culture – the significance of this is huge.”

Eagle Feather Bearers are nominated by their faculty or division, and are members of both the U of T community and an Indigenous community.

In many Indigenous cultures – including the Huron-Wendat, Haudenosaunee and Mississaugas – the Eagle Feather is sacred because it flies closest to the Creator. It symbolizes respect, honour, strength, courage and wisdom.

The Eagle Feather used at convocation was gifted to the Office of the President by Elders at the 2017 entrustment ceremony for the University of Toronto Truth and Reconciliation Steering Committee’s Report, “Answering the Call: Wecheehetowin.”

Shannon Simpson, U of T’s director of Indigenous initiatives, said Elder Andrew Wesley was delighted the Eagle Feather would be part of convocation ceremonies.

“He told me, 'I didn't give that feather so it would just sit on a shelf. I gave it so it would do work here at U of T,'” said Simpson, a member of the Mississaugas of Alderville First Nation.

Simpson added that the addition of the Eagle Feather follows a number of initiatives to make convocation more inclusive for Indigenous students, including a land acknowledgment and approval of a protocol allowing graduands to wear traditional Indigenous regalia instead of an academic gown at convocation.

A description of the Eagle Feather's significance in many Indigenous cultures and its use in the convocation ceremony was included in the spring convocation program.

On stage at Convocation Hall, U of T President Meric Gertler described the feather as an “appropriate and meaningful” addition to the ceremony.

“I was deeply honoured to receive an Eagle Feather as a sign of the university's commitment towards reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples,” he later told U of T News. “We take this commitment very seriously, and the addition of an Eagle Feather Bearer at the front of the Chancellor’s procession expresses the University’s profound respect for Indigenous communities and cultures.”

The following photos capture the historic addition of the Eagle Feather and Eagle Feather Bearer to U of T’s convocation ceremonies this year.

(Photo by Steve Frost)

Michael White, director of U of T's First Nations House and member of M’Chigeeng First Nation, takes part in a smudging ceremony with Fechtig – who wore a traditional ribbon skirt and a blue-and-white First Nations House stole – and Simpson before the procession.

“In terms of the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action, the integration of a smudging ceremony and the carrying of the feather is a strong signal for Indigenous graduates, alumni, faculty – anyone involved in convocation – that we are here,” said White as he presented Fechtig with tobacco – nasema – to recognize the efforts and responsibilities that come with carrying the feather. “To me as an Indigenous person, working within the territories of the Mississaugas of the Credit and the Haudenosaunee, as an Anishinaabe person, [means] that we're being represented, that there's thought and consideration to us.”

(Photo by Steve Frost)

Simpson, wearing a black gown and black mask, stands near the Eagle Feather and U of T's mace, a fixture of convocation ceremonies since it was presented to the university's Board of Governors (now Governing Council) by Lt.-Col. Eric Phillips in 1951. “I think the fact that [the Eagle Feather] led the procession was so important and so necessary,” Simpson said. “It wouldn't have had the same impact if it was in the middle of the procession. This lets Indigenous students know they do matter and they are seen.”

(Photo by Lisa Sakulensky)

The next day, Riley Yesno, a PhD student in the department of political science in the Faculty of Arts & Science, served as Eagle Feather Bearer in another convocation ceremony. She is pictured here standing outside Simcoe Hall with President Gertler. An Anishinaabe student from Eabametoong First Nation in northern Ontario, Yesno has written about Indigenous, environmental, youth and LGBTQ2S+ issues for media outlets ranging from Maclean's magazine to the Toronto Star, and delivered an impassioned speech in the House of Commons about missing and murdered Indigenous women.

(Photo by Steve Frost)

The Eagle Feather is displayed in its case in front of U of T’s mace. “It's a very strong step forward,” said Fechtig about the inclusion of the Eagle Feather. “There's a lot of work to be done, but just having this significant acknowledgment, including this piece into a traditional procession and disrupting the norm, is a good way forward.”

‘A community of care’: First Nations House celebrates Indigenous grads at U of T

mattimar — Thu, 12 May 2022 15:06:20 +0000

‘A community of care’: First Nations House celebrates Indigenous grads at U of T

mattimar Thu, 05/12/2022 - 11:06

Cutline

Diane Hill, who received her master’s degree in social justice education from OISE in 2021, celebrated her achievement in-person at a recent event hosted by First Nations House (photo by Johnny Guatto)

Mariam Matti

Topic

Temerty Faculty of Medicine

Convocation 2022

First Nations House

Indigenous

Ontario Institute for Studies in Education

Angelique Belcourt and Kristine Keon recently took the stage at a graduation event, held at First Nations House, that celebrated Indigenous students who completed their studies at the University of Toronto.

Tears of joy flowed almost immediately.

“We’ve gone through a lot together,” said Belcourt, who will receive her master’s degree in adult education and community development from U of T’s Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE) next month.

The pair, who have known each other for eight years, met during their undergraduate years at the University of Guelph, but parted ways shortly thereafter. They reconnected when they both came to U of T to do their master’s degrees.

“We did quite different things for our graduate degrees, but what kept us together is doing really fun things with First Nations House,” said Keon, who is graduating with a master’s in medical biophysics from U of T’s Temerty of Faculty of Medicine on June 2.

“Going to workshops, seeing each other on Zoom – and getting very excited that we’re both on there.”

Belcourt and Keon were among 13 students who attended the celebration at First Nations House earlier this month. The hybrid event marked the first time in two years that First Nations House was able to celebrate Indigenous grads in person. Graduates from the Class of 2020 and 2021 – when First Nations House hosted virtual-only celebrations due to pandemic restrictions – were also invited to take part.

Friends Kristine Keon and Angelique Belcourt embrace during the Indigenous graduation celebration at First Nations House (photo by Johnny Guatto)

“First Nations House Indigenous Student Services has been hosting Indigenous graduate ceremony for years because it is important to give Indigenous graduates a space to celebrate their own hard work and accomplishments, as well as supporting their Indigenous peers and colleagues,” said Jenny Blackbird, Indigenous Student Life co-ordinator and co-organizer of the event.

“It was wonderful to witness family, friends, faculty and staff celebrate in the new event space on the first floor.”

Elder-in-Residence Andrew Wesley began the graduation celebration with a smudging ceremony. Heather Kelly, executive director of Student Life programs and services, and Michael White, director of First Nations House, welcomed the attendees with opening remarks.

The students were gifted scarfs in U of T colours that were designed by Shane Kelsey of Neechi by Nature, an Indigenous fashion brand. White explained that the scarfs were inspired by the Two Row Wampum, which is one of the oldest treaty relationships between the people of Turtle Island and European immigrants.

“It’s part of the concept of Indigenous law and it’s something that’s introduced to Indigenous students early on – to talk about how we do sovereignty in this country,” said White, who graduated from University College in 2005 with a specialization in general anthropology and a minor in Indigenous studies. He attended the Indigenous graduation ceremony that year.

White added that he was excited to offer this year’s celebration in-person.

“First Nations House is a place we can connect and even though people are graduating, they still have a place to belong and come back to,” he said.

Michael White, director of First Nations House, speaks at the lectern while event organizer Jenny Blackbird, Indigenous Student Life co-ordinator, stands to his left (photo by Johnny Guatto)

Brittney Jaikaran, who graduated in 2021 with a master’s degree in adult education and community development from OISE with a specialization in Indigenous health, said she felt like she found a home at First Nations House after being introduced to the space by a friend.

Half Indigenous and half Guyanese, Jaikaran immigrated to Canada from Guyana with her father. The move to a new country wasn’t easy, she said.

“Like many Indigenous youth in Canada that I’ve worked with, you feel imposter syndrome,” said Jaikaran, who works as an Indigenous academic adviser and provides career support services at U of T Scarborough. “They feel like they’re not Indigenous enough; they don’t know what Indigenous means.”

While she’s still working on reconnecting to her roots, Jaikaran said First Nations House played a pivotal role during her studies at U of T.

“It helped me feel more grounded in myself. It was a great place to vent, to cry, to find joy, to find Indigenous excellence,” she said. “It’s important to have spaces where you see Indigenous success. I learned all of that from this wonderful place.”

Jaikaran also says she was guided by the late Lee Maracle, a celebrated writer, activist and mentor to students at U of T. “She really helped me on my journey,” Jaikaran said.

She recalled asking Maracle: How can I be more Indigenous? How will I know if I’m Indigenous enough? “She looked at me straight in the face and said you’re Indigenous enough. That brief sentiment stayed with me and everything I do.”

Caeley Genereux, who is graduating on June 10 with an honours bachelor of science degree from U of T Scarborough specializing in mental health and minoring in sociology, hopes to use her degree to provide consistent mental health support in Indigenous communities.

Genereux, along with her siblings and other youth in their community – Sheshegwaning First Nation on Manitoulin Island – launched the Land First Youth Initiative. Genereux’s older sister, who lives on the reserve, did a lot of the groundwork while Genereux and her brother were in Toronto. The programming focuses on cultural revitalization, traditional teachings and ceremonies, land-based learning and food sovereignty.

“We’re now focusing on gardening Indigenous plants and medicine,” Genereux explained. “We’ll also be doing kayaking, canoeing, more teachings.

We want to look into art revitalization, our traditional ways of making paint and dyes.”

The project recently received a $30,000 grant and Genereux is looking forward to expanding the programming this year.

“We need to get back to who we are and our traditional ways and honour all forms of health, and that will also help in mental health.”

On top of her work with the Land First Youth Initiative, Genereux will help conduct research on Indigenous language revitalization this summer with Jed Meltzer, an associate professor in the Faculty of Arts & Science.

Caeley Genereux, who is graduating this year from U of T Scarborough, poses with her family (photo by Johnny Guatto)

Diane Hill, who graduated last year with a master’s degree in social justice education from OISE, said she was happy to be able to celebrate her graduation in-person at First Nations House.

“It’s nice to be here, to see other people and see what other people have accomplished during this time,” she said.

Hill has been a long-time U of T student. She completed her undergrad at U of T Scarborough in 2019 and is now in her first year of the PhD program in the social justice education department at OISE.

Growing up outside of London, Ont. as a member of the Oneida Nation of the Thames, Hill said she experienced education disparities firsthand.

“Education has always been a passion of mine. Not just education in a Western sense, but multiple kinds of educations – Indigenous education or cultural education,” she said.

“Through colonialization we were forced to lose so much of our knowledge, so I think it’s important to help create generative ways of restoring and regenerating knowledge.”

As for Keon’s post-graduation plans, she wants to continue her education and attend medical school. She isn’t sure if she wants to become a family doctor or specialist, but she hopes to combine traditional Indigenous methods with Western medicine.

“I hope to become a physician and provide culturally-competent care to Indigenous patients should they wish to receive care in that manner, and to ensure that Indigenous people feel safe accessing health care,” she said.

Belcourt, who is from the Georgian Bay Métis community, highlighted her research which focuses on Métis youth from her community and how they form their own identities. She said was proud to bring that work to First Nations House.

“First Nations House is a place where any Indigenous student can feel welcome and at home regardless of where they’re at in their journey,” she said. “Kristine and I had some knowledge of our backgrounds, but this space really reinforces the cultural teachings, cultural values, and a sense of community.

“First Nations House was, for me, a safe space where I can be authentically Indigenous and however I see so fit, knowing that I have a community of care and my really great sister friend that I could see at events.”

Writer, teacher, ‘knowledge carrier’: U of T joins country in remembering Lee Maracle

geoff.vendeville — Sat, 11 Dec 2021 17:38:39 +0000

Writer, teacher, ‘knowledge carrier’: U of T joins country in remembering Lee Maracle

geoff.vendeville Sat, 12/11/2021 - 12:38

Cutline

(Photo by University of Toronto)

Geoffrey Vendeville

Topic

Centre for Indigenous Studies

Kelly Hannah-Moffat

Ontario Institute for Studies in Education

Lee Maracle, the celebrated writer, is being remembered by the University of Toronto as an inspirational instructor, adviser, activist and mentor to students – and as someone whose pen helped draw attention to the need for decolonization in Canada.

A member of the Stó:lō Nation, Maracle – who died Thursday at age 71 – was one of the first Indigenous fiction authors to be published in Canada in the mid-1970s. Known for her innovative, genre-defying style of storytelling that blends autobiography, poetry and fiction, she was named an Officer of the Order of Canada in 2018 for launching “a dialogue that has been instrumental in promoting social justice in Canada.”

In a recent interview with CBC, Maracle reflected on her four-decade literary career and the impact of Indigenous writing on Canadian politics.

“Native writers generally have influenced Canadians to start building the bridge toward us and some of the new Canadian attitude is to make sure the street crosses both ways, instead of constantly pillaging Native lands and Native territory and not giving something back and seeing us as parasites,” she said.

At U of T, Maracle was a member of the university’s Elders Circle, a former traditional teacher-in-residence at Indigenous Student Services and a former instructor at U of T’s Centre for Indigenous Studies and Transitional Year Programme. She advised the university’s Truth and Reconciliation Steering Committee, which released its recommendations in early 2017. The same year she helped Indigenous studies students at the university organize the first pow wow at U of T in decades and was honoured with a Bonham Centre Award for her contributions to the public’s understanding of sexual diversity in Canada.

Upon learning that Maracle had fallen ill, U of T’s Indigenous community, supported by First Nations House, said it would burn a ceremonial fire in the writer’s honour from sunrise to sunset on Thursday.

The university, meanwhile, is planning to lower its flags across the three campuses to half-mast on Nov. 15.

“Lee’s words are among her greatest legacies, not only to the University of Toronto community, but also to this world,” Kelly Hannah-Moffat, U of T’s vice-president, people strategy, equity and culture, s aid in a statement Thursday. “Her words alternately prompt our conscience, open our imaginations, leave us breathless with their impact, and make us accountable to each other as human beings.

“On behalf of the University of Toronto, I extend my deepest sympathies to Lee’s family, friends, and community, and hope that all of us will continue to listen to – and act upon – the words she has left us.

U of T President Meric Gertler was quoted in the statement saying the following: “Lee Maracle was a remarkable and much-loved member of our community. Her warmth and humour were infectious. Her achievements as an author and poet were justly celebrated. Her commitment to making the University of Toronto a more inclusive and welcoming place for Indigenous students, staff, faculty and librarians was unwavering. She leaves a lasting impact for the better, and her loss will be acutely felt. Our deepest sympathies go out to her loved ones and the many friends and colleagues affected by her passing.”

Maracle was known on campus for being an approachable teacher who was keen to offer guidance.

“She was very much the grandmother, the auntie that a lot of us didn’t have access to,” said Jennifer Sylvester, a PhD student at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education.

As an undergraduate student in Indigenous studies, Sylvester says Maracle’s classes influenced the way she understood teaching and encouraged her to pursue a career in education.

Sylvester said Maracle tended to personalize her lectures, pulling from her experiences to bring her lessons to life.

“It was a very storytelling way of teaching and that really struck with me,” Sylvester said. “She taught me how to be an effective professor or teacher – a knowledge carrier.”

Maracle was born on July 2, 1950 in Vancouver, the daughter of a Métis mother and Salish father. She was also granddaughter to Chief Dan George of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation, a writer, musician and actor.

Maracle’s first book, Bobbi Lee, Indian Rebel, was an autobiographical narrative exploring racism and sexism facing Indigenous women in Canada that was first published in 1975. In My Conversations with Canadians (2017), Maracle recalled how foreign the publishing world felt to her in her early years as a writer. “Book writing and publishing is definitely a Canadian cultural phenomenon,” she said. “My editor told me I would have to ‘tour the book.’ ‘And do what?’ I asked. ‘Read from it.’ ‘Do you really think that people who cannot read are going to buy a book?’ I asked. ‘No,’ he answered, chuckling, ‘they can all read.’ ‘Then they can read it their own damn selves,’ I snipped.”

After Bobbi Lee was re-released in the 1990s, Maracle said she gained an appreciation for its significance. “At the time, I didn’t know what the book had done,” she told the Globe and Mail in 1991. “Now I've met so many young people who had a tattered copy of it, and they read it and they say it inspired them. Not only to become writers, but to pursue education.”

Maracle is the author of more than a dozen books, including I Am Woman: A Native Perspective on Sociology and Feminism, Ravensong and Celia’s Song, which was a finalist for the 2020 Neustadt International Prize for Literature, which is nicknamed “the American Nobel.”

Yet, despite her many accolades, Maracle told the Globe that awards weren’t high on her list of priorities. “I don’t know if I write for awards so much as for what I want changed,” she said, in 2019.

Maracle’s most recent book, Hope Matters, is a poetry collection that was released in 2019 and was written with her daughters Columpa Bobb and Tania Carter. “Hope frees, hope relieves; hope moves us,” they wrote. “Artists move people from inspiration to action and direct hope toward a new reality that can be shared by everyone.”

Fellow writers paid their respects to Maracle on social media Thursday.

Alicia Elliot tweeted that Maracle “bulldozed space for NDN women,” while Tanya Talaga noted in a tweet that Maracle “spoke pure power” at the recent Margaret Laurence Lecture, an annual event commissioned by the Writers’ Trust of Canada.

Anishinaabe writer and journalist Waubgeshig Rice described Maracle as a passionate advocate for Indigenous stories and voices. “Today there is a wave of revolutionary Indigenous literature because of the splash Lee Maracle created decades ago,” he tweeted. “I am forever thankful for her writing, guidance, and friendship.”

Similarily, Jesse Wente, an Ojibway journalist, activist and public speaker, called Maracle an inspiring leader and mentor. “She was always there for a reassuring word or wise correction and guidance,” he wrote on Twitter. “I will miss you Lee. Chi miigwetch.”

Shannon Simpson, U of T’s director of Indigenous Initiatives, said Maracle will leave a lasting legacy at U of T and across Canada.

“Lee was a legend,” Simpson said. “She inspired and supported so many in the U of T community and well beyond. My sadness runs deep but I am forever grateful for the decades we were able to work together and she will continue to inspire us to do better and continue the work that is ahead of us.”

‘The wheels are slowly turning’: U of T marks Orange Shirt Day, first National Truth and Reconciliation Day

rahul.kalvapalle — Fri, 01 Oct 2021 14:16:11 +0000

‘The wheels are slowly turning’: U of T marks Orange Shirt Day, first National Truth and Reconciliation Day

rahul.kalvapalle Fri, 10/01/2021 - 10:16

Cutline

All flags on the university's three campuses were lowered to half-mast on September 30 to observe the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (Photo by Lisa Lightbourn)

Rahul Kalvapalle

Topic

City & Culture

Orange Shirt Day

Indigenous Initiatives

U of T Mississauga

How can non-Indigenous people channel awareness of the historical mistreatment of Indigenous Peoples into concrete actions and allyship? What is the best way to teach children about Canada’s history and the legacy of residential schools? How can the University of Toronto strengthen the spirit of healing and reconciliation?

These were some of the key questions addressed by Michael White, director of First Nations House, and Shannon Simpson, U of T’s director of Indigenous initiatives, during a packed online discussion to mark Orange Shirt Day and the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

For White, a member of the M'Chigeeng First Nation, the virtual event was an opportunity to reflect on the progress U of T has made in providing supports to Indigenous community members since he first arrived as an undergraduate student 20 years ago.

“My experience coming to U of T in 2001 was very different to that of a student coming in 2021,” White said. “There’s more staff, there’s more services. First Nations House was it back then – but now we’ve got services happening, we have staff at UTM and UTSC and there’s a growing Indigenous presence.”

Shannon Simpson and Michael White (Photos by Nick Iwanyshyn (L) and Hannah James)

White added that he’s also heartened to see the growing presence of Indigenous scholars in leadership positions.

“We have [departmental] chairs within the full fabric of how this university operates. To see Indigenous representation from the leadership side right down to the student services side – I think that’s starting to happen. The wheels are slowly turning but I’m excited to be a part of it.”

The event – organized by the Office of Indigenous Initiatives and hosted by Hart House – was one of several across U of T that sought to honour survivors of residential schools, acknowledge Indigenous Peoples and traditions, and work towards reconciliation at the university and beyond.

(Photo by Lisa Lightbourn)

They included: an Orange Shirt distribution and campus walk organized by the Dalla Lana School of Public Health; trees lit with orange lights at St. Michael’s College; and an exploration of the Calls to Action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada organized at U of T Scarborough. Upcoming events include the 2021 Snider Lecture at U of T Mississauga, which will feature author Robin Wall Kimmerer and explore how Indigenous and scientific wisdom can be harnessed to improve relationships between people and the natural world.

Elmsley Place (Photo by Michael Chow)

Across U of T’s three campuses, all flags were flown at half-mast to observe the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and to honour residential school 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.

“This year, still reeling from the staggering revelations of unmarked graves near residential schools in British Columbia and Saskatchewan, we mark the occasion with added solemnity,” said U of T President Meric Gertler in a statement. “We realize with profound sorrow that other such graves remain to be found and that these horrors come as no surprise to members of Indigenous communities.”

He added that U of T’s own Truth and Reconciliation Steering Committee has provided much-needed direction to the university.

“We have made progress in many areas – expanding the presence of Indigenous students, staff, faculty and librarians; incorporating Indigenous content into curricula; supporting Indigenous research programs; and creating physical spaces to honour and acknowledge Indigenous peoples, traditions, and histories on our three campuses.

“Reconciliation must be led by dialogue, a process of mutual engagement in which all parties learn from one another.”

At the Hart House-hosted event, Simpson, a member of the Mississaugas of Alderville First Nation, said she has been encouraged with the pace of progress in recent years.

“What has happened over the last five years is happening at a pace that we’re not used to – and it’s amazing,” she said. “The growth is amazing and the amount of faculty and staff who have come on board really has shown me that the institution does care and that they are committed.

“We just want to keep that momentum going and [keep] creating these spaces.”

Simpson and White also discussed some of the areas in which they’d like to see more progress at U of T. They included positioning the university as a place that’s accessible and welcoming to Indigenous youth, attracting and retaining Indigenous students, and supporting the evolving needs of Indigenous students.

Attendees at the virtual event watched a video featuring Phyllis (Jack) Webstad from the Stswecem’c Xgat’tem First Nation, whose experience on her first day at St. Joseph’s Mission Residential School in 1973 became the inspiration for Orange Shirt Day. Aged six at the time, Webstad was stripped of the orange shirt she was wearing on the first day of school and forced to wear the school’s uniform. Today, the wearing of orange shirts has become a symbol of reconciliation, healing and allyship with Indigenous Peoples.

Kelly Hannah-Moffat, U of T’s vice-president, people strategy, equity and culture, said Webstad’s story “speaks to the enormity of the crimes committed against generations of Indigenous children.”

“Her story is a very powerful call to action for our university,” Hannah-Moffat said.

“It is crucial to acknowledge its truths as we work together to build a better institution – one that fully affirms and respects Indigenous Peoples and Knowledges, and works to remove systemic barriers for Indigenous members of our community.”

At U of T Scarborough, members of the community were invited to take part in quiet contemplation of and reflection on the impact of residential schools by tuning into a livestream of the Indigenous Garden at the UTSC Campus Farm between 8:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. on Thursday.

U of T Scarborough’s Indigenous Outreach Program in the Office of Student Experience and Well-Being is also hosting a virtual exploration of the 94 calls to action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada.

On Oct. 1, the campus’s week-long slate of programs around Truth and Reconciliation will culminate in a Unity Celebration, with Indigenous Engagement Coordinator Juanita Muise acknowledging efforts across U of T Scarborough to foster reconciliation and celebrate in allyship.

At U of T Mississauga, the Oct. 4 Snider Lecture with Kimmerer – a professor and director of the Center for Native Peoples and the Environment at the State University of New York, a prolific author and member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation – will tap into Indigenous and scientific Knowledges and insights on healing these crucial relationships. As well, U of T Mississauga’s Indigenous Centre has compiled a collection of online resources, books, films and podcasts that provide insights into the legacy of residential schools, intergenerational trauma and the responsibilities of both Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples today.

The online portal also suggests ways that all members of the U of T community can take meaningful actions to support Indigenous Peoples, amplify Indigenous voices, support Indigenous organizations, foundations and communities; and support the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action.

U of T’s Office of Indigenous Initiatives, meanwhile, offers Indigenous cultural competency training for all students, staff, faculty and librarians that can be accessed through the Centre for Learning, Leadership & Culture (for staff, faculty and librarians) and the Career & Co-Curricular Learning Network (for students). The series includes the following sessions: Speaking Our Truths: The Journey Towards Reconciliation (Part 1 and Part 2); Reconciliation: Walking the Path of Indigenous Allyship; and Reflecting on Land Acknowledgements.

President Gertler acknowledged there is much work to be done.

“Highlighting our accomplishments does not diminish our responsibility or our resolve,” he said.

“Indeed, Orange Shirt Day speaks to the enduring trauma experienced by Indigenous peoples. We pause today to recognize our past, acknowledge our present – and recommit to a better future.

U of T mourns Indigenous children whose remains were found at former B.C. residential school

wangyana — Tue, 01 Jun 2021 19:48:41 +0000

U of T mourns Indigenous children whose remains were found at former B.C. residential school

wangyana Tue, 06/01/2021 - 15:48

Cutline

Tributes are brought to the Kamloops Indian Residential School monument area on May 31. U of T lowered its flags to half-mast this week in memory of the 215 children whose remains were found near the site (photo by Nicholas Rausch/AFP via Getty Images)

Topic

U of T Mississauga