Hoop 4: Indigenous community

Why

As of fall 2018, uOttawa has a reinvigorated and conceived Indigenous Education Council (IEC), which is working to determine its role within the University to promote student success (note that having a functioning IEC is a requirement for the university to receive PEFAL funding from the Province of Ontario’s Ministry of Education).

When

Medium to long term

How

The main requirement is a modest budgetary commitment to support travel by IEC members from their communities to Ottawa

Cost

Three of uOttawa’s First Nations community representatives—from the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne, the Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg First Nation and the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation—are required to travel two hours to Ottawa. The University needs to establish an honorarium policy to cover the costs of travel and hotels, especially during inclement weather.

Who

Provost | Deputy Provost, Planning and Academic Budgets

Why

Indigenous Affairs has collaborated with ACTUA to create a STEM mentorship program at Gloucester High School and with the Verna J. Kirkness Foundation to promote STEM fields to female Indigenous high school students. The Faculty of Education partnered with Màmawi Together to host the Youth for Reconciliation Day, which brought 250 high school students from four school boards to uOttawa, where they could learn about projects of reconciliation directly from Indigenous speakers and mentors.

In addition to these existing collaborations, we can build pathways to host Indigenous youth on campus during the summer by having them participate in a variety of programs such as sports camp, literacy camp, debate/rhetoric club, math camp, etc.

Camps such as this already exist at the University. They are offered annually in May across campus, through the Faculty of Engineering, Faculty of Arts/Engineering and the Enrichment Mini-Course Program. All of these could be adapted to Indigenous-specific programming. We can also partner with Let’s Talk Science on campus regarding STEM-related programming for Indigenous youth.

When

Medium term

How

Seek additional mentorship and outreach opportunities with other appropriate bodies such as Indspire; seek opportunities through the Michaëlle Jean Centre and in partnership with faculty outreach activities.

Cost

Minimal incremental cost

Who

Vice-Provost, Academic Affairs | AVP, Student Life | Director, Michaëlle Jean Centre | Deans and Vice Deans

Why

Mashkawazìwogamig currently brings to the Centre several different knowledge keepers from various nations with different skills to engage with students in a variety of ways, from spiritual teachings and support to moccasin making. This program will continue to grow and support our students.

The Centre requires, however, a permanent, rather than part-time, Algonquin knowledge keeper with some counselling experience to assist daily with issues of protocol and to advise on programming for students.

When

Short to long-term support

How

Academic delegate and director, Indigenous affairs, will work with local elders and communities to identify suitable candidates for such a position.

Cost

Requires a salary (preferably not drawn from the PEFAL funding envelope) but also support for travel (e.g., mileage reimbursement, parking, subsistence) if the elder is travelling in from a nearby community such as Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg First Nation or the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation.

Who

Academic delegate (to determine cost implications) | Deputy Provost, planning and academic budgets

Why

Indigenous Affairs is responsible for hosting a range of activities on campus for students and staff for them to experience and participate in aspects of Indigenous culture including the annual pow wow, lectures by Indigenous speakers and other events.

Dates and times in the calendar specifically commemorated by Indigenous peoples in Canada should be a part of the University calendar.

Raise the profile of Indigenous intellectuals and activists by encouraging faculties to nominate at least one Indigenous person annually to receive an honorary doctorate.

When

Short term

How

Develop a list of dates and events that are central to the lives of Indigenous Canadians and ensure that uOttawa commemorates these dates. This list might include a dedicated holiday and/or days of observance such as Indigenous Peoples Day (21 June), Riel Day (16 November), Treaty Recognition Week (November), etc., to make Indigenous life a part of the campus.

Provide an annual reminder to faculties to consider nominating an Indigenous person who has had an impact on the lives of Indigenous societies for an honorary doctorate.

Cost

There are no incremental resource implications to acknowledging these types of dates or pursuing these types of honorifics.

Who

Communications Directorate | Ceremonies and Events | Provost | Deans (for nominations of honorary doctorate candidates)