Hoop 3: The physical space

Why

Given the number of national heritage organizations in Ottawa, uOttawa will work to partner with the National Gallery of Canada, the Canadian Museum of History, the Canada Council Art Bank and the federal government’s Aboriginal Art Collection to borrow art that can be infused in key locations across campus.

When

Short term

How

uOttawa is now home to a sculpture commissioned from David General. In addition to this publicly viewable art installations, uOttawa will look to commission several other artistic pieces for the campus as well as begin negotiations to rent Indigenous art from the national and local heritage organizations. When art is purchased or borrowed, uOttawa will prioritize local Algonquin artists.

Cost

The University will be responsible for insurance, installation and conservation-grade displays for each object based on the expectations and regulations of the owner/lender.

Who

President | Provost | Dean of Arts

Why

The goal is to transform the campus’ exterior spaces to be more welcoming to Indigenous people as they pass through our downtown space while also infusing the campus with an Indigenous aesthetic.

When

Medium term, following assessment

How

The University will undertake such actions as the renaming of campus streets, inscribing signs with words of welcome in multiple languages at key entrances to campus and commissioning an exterior mural in a high visibility area. Other actions will be developed in the context of campus master planning. Ensure that flags belonging to Indigenous nations—particularly Algonquin nations— are flown alongside the uOttawa flag when the University is hosting important/significant events, including the annual pow wow, and when dignitaries visit campus.

Cost

TBA, subject to the type of action envisioned

Who

President | Communications Directorate | Academic delegate for Indigenous engagement | VP Resources | Facilities

Why

The current space allocated to Mashkawazìwogamig is small and inadequate for its needs. For instance, the IRC hosts a weekly soup and bannock event and the coordinator has to prepare the meal at home the evening before and bring it to campus. The IRC needs kitchen facilities as well as workstations, offices for the student organizations, a dedicated elders and/or ceremonial room and an activities space. It would also be ideal for the Indigenous Affairs staff to have dedicated office space that is not in the midst of student activity space.

When

Short term (urgent)

How

A space was identified in December 2018 and architects are currently drafting renovation plans with the intention of the Centre moving by summer 2020.

Cost

A building simply needs to be retrofitted for the needs of the Centre.

Who

Provost | VP Resources | Academic delegate for Indigenous engagement | Director, Indigenous Affairs

Why

A number of universities have, in recent years, faced the need to consider carefully the principles for naming buildings because of protests around the historical legacy associated with particular figures (Yale, Ryerson and McGill, to name a few).

When

Medium to long term

How

The University will strike a committee to determine what the current principles on memorialization on campus are and then review whether there are places on campus that need to be renamed. It is best that we do this work ourselves before there are protests, given the history of the institution as a former Oblate owned and operated facility.

Cost

Minimal aside from signage; requires solid preparation and investment of political capital by senior leadership

Who

President | Provost | Senior leadership team