September 2021: Truth and reconciliation
Memorial University will be closed on Thursday, Sept. 30, to mark the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
Tomorrow is an opportunity for all of us to reflect on the historic and current injustices faced by Indigenous Peoples and to learn about what we can do to live up to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action.
Today, we are marking Orange Shirt Day across all campuses and locations. On the St. John’s campus, all are welcome to join an in-person event at 3 p.m. to spread awareness. We are also lighting campus landmarks orange on our campuses in St. John’s and Corner Brook.
Wearing or displaying orange is a symbol of solidarity with those who survived residential schools and an act of remembrance for those who never made it home. More information about Orange Shirt Day is available from First Light. I will be wearing orange today and tomorrow and I hope you will, too.
I am also re-reading Memorial’s Strategic Framework for Indigenization. This framework was built collaboratively and we must continue to work together to both Indigenize and decolonize Memorial.
As Transforming our Horizons, our strategic plan, says, Memorial must be intentional and deliberate in our commitment towards anti-racism, Indigenization, decolonization and reconciliation. Equity, inclusion and accessibility must be embedded into the very fabric and physical structures of all we offer.
We’ve made some progress at Memorial.
We have our first institutional policy related to Indigenous research, among the first of its kind in Canada.
In July, Catharyn Andersen was appointed vice-president (Indigenous), just the second such position at a Canadian university.
Earlier this month, Violet Ford was named associate vice-president (Indigenous research). Originally from Makkovik, Labrador, Ms. Ford is the first Indigenous woman to become a lawyer in this province, as well as Canada’s first woman lawyer of Inuit ancestry.
Plans are underway for the Labrador Institute to become our sixth campus, because access to quality post-secondary education in one’s home territory, reflective of one’s culture, lands and ancestors, is a fundamental right.
At Grenfell Campus, the Mi’kmaq Grand Council flag is now flying permanently in recognition of the fact that the campus is on traditional Mi’kmaw territory.
And yesterday, Sept. 28, Saqamaw Dr. Mi’sel Joe, Elder Dr. Calvin White, Vice-President (Indigenous) Catharyn Andersen and Indigenous students, faculty and staff officially opened Juniper House at 208 Elizabeth Ave. on the St. John’s campus.
Juniper House is meant to be a home away from home where students can gather, work and thrive in an inclusive community that honours Indigenous Peoples. All are welcome there and I hope you’ll take the time to visit in the near future.
We’re on the right path, but we must continue to make structural and systemic changes on the road to true reconciliation.
If you’re on the West Coast this weekend, I hope you’ll attend the fifth annual Grenfell Campus All Nations Powwow for a celebration of Indigenous art, culture and tradition.
And tomorrow — and every day — I hope that you will join me in reflecting on the past and continuing on the journey of reconciliation.