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Our Land Acknowledgement - Student Affairs

Our Land Acknowledgement

With the utmost respect and gratitude, we acknowledge and honor the Indigenous peoples who have been the stewards of the lands and waters that sustain us all. The University of Guelph's campuses and research stations are situated on the ancestral, traditional, unceded, and treaty lands and territories of the Anishinaabeg, Hodinohso:ni, Lūnaapéewak, Huron-Wendat, and Attawandaron peoples. Today, these lands are home to a vibrant diversity of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities. 

Student Affairs aims to responsibly steward community resources for the students we serve. We pay tribute to the Dish with One Spoon Covenant, promoting peaceful coexistence, resource sharing and mutual responsibility, symbolized by the dish with one spoon. We understand the importance of translating these commitments into ongoing actions, acknowledging the historical injustices, and working towards building a better future together. This webpage is committed to reporting on our progress towards truth-telling and reconciliation.

Actions from 2023-2024

Reporting on the year prior, this page will be updated annually each summer. As we reflect on the 2023-2024 academic year, Student Affairs would like to share some of the commitments towards truth-telling and reconciliation that were actualized:

Athletics
  • Land Acknowledgement Video: Honouring Indigenous Territories: The Athletics department, in collaboration with Gryphon football, proudly filmed and unveiled a Land Acknowledgement video in consultation with the Office of Indigenous Initiatives. This powerful video, honouring the land on which the team plays, premiered at the football home opener and was featured at every home game throughout the season at Alumni Stadium. This initiative underscores our commitment to recognizing and respecting Indigenous territories and histories.
  • Lunch and Learn: Commitment to Indigenous Sport and Wellness: Demonstrating our dedication to Indigenous sport and wellness, the Department of Athletics hosted a Lunch and Learn session with Gary Lynch, Manager of Sport and Athlete Development for Indigenous Team Ontario and Vice-Principal of Alternative Education with Keewatin Patricia District School Board, and Esther Powell, a Registered Nurse from Nunavut and advocate for Truth and Reconciliation. During this session, students and staff reflected on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action (#87-91) related to activity, sport, and wellness, while enjoying a meal together. This event fostered a deeper understanding of the importance of these Calls to Action and their impact on the community.
  • National Truth and Reconciliation Day: Raising Awareness Through Sport: In a powerful tribute to National Truth and Reconciliation Day on September 30, 2023, the Gryphon Men’s Lacrosse team showcased new jerseys inspired by a mural in the Athletics department, designed by Anishinaabe artist Luke Swinson. Swinson's mural, created in 2022, symbolizes the Gryphon representing the school and the diverse community that thrives within the natural space. The jerseys and the game played on this significant day aimed to raise awareness about the intergenerational legacy of the residential school system, promoting reflection and education among the broader community.
The Child Care and Learning Centre
  • Advancing Truth and Reconciliation: With funding from the Flanagan Foundation, the Child Care & Learning Centre (CCLC) is creating a hub for experiential learning, community collaboration, and student inquiry that honors Indigenous wisdom and perspectives. This initiative, in collaboration with the Department of Family Relations and Applied Nutrition and Guelph-Humber, enriches the student experience by fostering a deeper understanding of Indigenous cultures and advancing the Truth and Reconciliation Committee’s Calls to Act
  • Promoting Indigenous Literature: The CCLC hosted the CSAHS event "Learning Together - a Showcase of Indigenous Children's Books," featuring Indigenous author Nancy Cooper, who read her book, and a collection of books by Indigenous authors from Good Minds. This event provided students with the opportunity to engage with Indigenous literature and perspectives, enhancing their cultural awareness and appreciation.
  • Planning for Truth and Reconciliation Day: The CCLC is collaborating with CSAHS to plan the next "Learning Together" event for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in September 2024. This ongoing collaboration ensures that students are continually engaged in meaningful activities that recognize and honor Indigenous cultures and histories.
  • Integrating Indigenous Perspectives: Students working and learning at the CCLC regularly participate in offering daily land acknowledgements with the children, exploring colonization through a justice lens, and drawing inspiration from Indigenous wisdom through practices of gratitude, authentic learning materials, and children’s literature. These activities deepen students' understanding of Indigenous cultures and promote a justice-oriented approach to education.
The Experiential Learning Hub
  • IEDI-Focused Experiences: Two Row on the Grand: The Experiential Learning Hub partnered with community organizations to offer Inclusive, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (IEDI)-focused experiences, such as the Two Row on the Grand program. This initiative provided 10 students with a fully funded 10-day Indigenous, 80+ hour land-based experiential learning opportunity. Through this immersive experience, students gained valuable insights into Indigenous cultures and traditions, fostering a deeper understanding and respect for these communities. Our involvement in the Two Row on the Grand from summer 2023 was highlighted on CBC as part of Treaties Recognition Week in November. This acknowledgment highlights our dedication to honoring and educating our community about Indigenous treaties and history.
  • Enhancing Opportunities for Indigenous Students: Collaborative Efforts: The Experiential Learning Hub actively collaborated with campus partners to ensure that diverse students are aware of the available services. By offering workshops during special events and creating new programs, the Hub enhanced opportunities for Indigenous student researchers. These efforts aimed to increase accessibility and support for Indigenous students, empowering them to pursue and excel in their academic and research endeavors.
Residence Life
  • Discover Your Potential at Indigenous House: A Unique Living-Learning Experience: Within Residence Life we are proud to offer the Indigenous House, a Living-Learning Centre designed to create a supportive environment where students thrive through self-discovery, community, and the rich traditions of Indigenous ways of knowing, being, and doing. Here, you will find a unique blend of academic support, cultural immersion, and personal growth opportunities, fostering a deep sense of belonging and empowerment.
  • Our Residence Communities are Situated on the Ancestral Lands: Our commitment to honoring Indigenous heritage is further reflected on our website through a heartfelt Land Acknowledgement. It serves as a powerful reminder that our residence communities are situated on the ancestral lands of the Attawandaron people and the treaty lands and territory of the Mississauga's of the Credit. This acknowledgment comes to life regularly, as our Residence Life Team shares this important message with over 5,000 students living in our residences.
Student Experience
  • Celebrating 20 Years of Indigenous Support: The Indigenous Student Centre (ISC) in Student Experience, celebrated 20 years of supporting First Nations, Inuit, and Métis students at U of G. The ISC commemorated this milestone at the annual Celebration of Indigenous Achievement. Hosted by the ISC, the celebration is a unique opportunity for Indigenous students at U of G to honour their successes with the family, friends, Elders and Knowledge Holders who have supported their educational journeys. Learn more about the ISC’s 20 years. 
  • Embracing Two Spirit Identities: The Indigenous Student Centre in Student Experience offered an enlightening training session titled “The Storying of 2S Identities: A Brief History (That Goes Back to Time Immemorial).” Led by guest speaker Seán Carson Kinsella, a two-spirit/queer/aayahkwêw from migizi dodem (Bald Eagle Clan), this training educated staff, students, and faculty about the rich history of Two Spirit identities. Over 30 participants attended, gaining valuable insights into these long-standing cultural narratives.
  • Leadership and Inclusion Workshops: Student Experience offered workshops (which included “De-colonization & Indigenization”, “Foundations: Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion”, and “Responding to Microaggressions as a Student Leader”) to 122 U of G student leaders who attended the annual Collaborative Leadership Summit conference. Additionally, in a continued effort to foster reconciliation and understanding, all 30 full-time employees within the Department of Student Experience have now attended the Fostering Reconciliation in the Academy professional development 4 workshop series. The commitment to on-going learning ensures that staff and student leaders are well-equipped to support Indigenous students and promote a culture of inclusivity and respect.
  • Honoring Cultural Diversity: Cultural Diversity and the Indigenous Student Centre in Student Experience organized U of G’s Black History Month keynote address “Reconciling and Honoring Our Relationships to the Seven Dimensions of Wellness” with Afro-Indigenous educator Larissa Crawford for Black History month. Larissa shared profound insights on decolonizing practices in academic spaces and intersecting identities, citing her lived experience as a queer, disabled, Métis and Afro-Caribbean woman. This keynote helped enriched the campus community's understanding and appreciation of cultural diversity while contributing to fostering a more inclusive and understanding campus environment.
Student Wellness Services
  • Engaging Indigenous Perspectives: 'Hearth' and the Path to Wellness: Student Wellness has commissioned an art piece by First Nations artists, Wolf Babe Collective, to be installed in the atrium of the J.T. Powell Building in Summer 2024. This piece, titled "Hearth," invites Indigenous understandings of wellness within our walls. It also introduces and educates the community about Indigenous cultures, traditions, and perspectives, fostering greater understanding and appreciation. The piece draws on imagery of ‘luminous and life-giving entities like fire and celestial bodies,’ which aims to evoke the ‘tender spaces that nourish the heart and mind,’ creating a reflective and inclusive environment for all who view it. The themes and aesthetics of Indigenous art, often connected to nature and spirituality, can provide comfort, inspiration, and a sense of belonging, contributing to the emotional and mental well-being of the community. The presence of Indigenous art can spark conversations about history, culture, and social justice, encouraging a more inclusive and open-minded campus dialogue.

  1. Athletics proudly unveiled a new Indigenous mural designed by Anishinaabe artist Luke Swinson. The sprawling work symbolizes our commitment to embedding Indigenous presence in spaces promoting holistic wellness for our campus community. Visit the University's News website to read the related campus news story.
  2. Athletics and Residence Life took a meaningful step towards equity and inclusion, and announced the joint hiring of a new Indigenous, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (IEDI) Advisor.
  3. Demonstrating our commitment to Indigenous sport and wellness, Athletics hosted the Southwest Team Ontario Tryouts for basketball and volleyball in partnership with Indigenous Sport & Wellness Ontario.
  4. The Child Care & Learning Centre provided enriching Land-based learning experiences for children, nurturing their connection with nature through teachings by Anishinaabe elder Jan Sherman.
  5. The Child Care & Learning Centre received approval and funding for hiring an Indigenous Curriculum Specialist, fostering Indigenous curriculum efforts in post-secondary education and early learning.
  6. The Experiential Learning Hub partnered with community organizations to offer IEDI-focused experiences like Two Row on the Grand where students participate in a fully funded 10-day Indigenous, Land-based EL opportunity.
  7. The Experiential Learning Hub actively collaborated with campus partners to ensure diverse students are aware of available services, offering workshops during special events and creating new programs to enhance opportunities for Indigenous student researchers.
  8. The Indigenous Student Centre within the Student Experience Department organized over 210 exceptional programs, events, and learning opportunities for our Indigenous students, fostering a vibrant and supportive community.
  9. Working closely with Recruitment & Admissions Services, the Indigenous Student Centre (within the Student Experience Department) played a pivotal role in supporting Indigenous student recruitment efforts through training, information sharing, and targeted communication.
  10. The Indigenous Student Centre (within the Student Experience Department) actively addressed food insecurity among Indigenous students by establishing the Indigenous Student Meal Support Program, providing essential meal kits to 34 students.
  11. Student Experience offered virtual tours of the former Mohawk Institute Indian Residential School, aligning with U of G Indigenous Initiatives Strategy, Bi-Naagwad: It Comes into View.
  12. Student Experience, through its START Indigenous program, warmly welcomed 18 Indigenous students and their families to the Guelph campus, providing crucial support and preparedness for a successful university journey.
  13. International Student Experience thoughtfully incorporated Indigenous knowledge into mandatory pre-departure training sessions for 26 international students, promoting respect for the land under the guidance of Elder Jan Sherman during their camping trip to Algonquin Park.
  14. In partnership with the Indigenous Student Centre, Residence Life supported Indigenous House, a Living Learning Community fostering cultural learning and engagement opportunities through ceremonies, storytelling, and events.
  15. In a significant step towards addressing sexual and gender-based violence, the Sexual & Gender Based Violence Office in Student Wellness collaborated with the Indigenous Student Centre and the Indigenous Students' Society, providing vital educational programming and events.