Notice Board

A message from Iikaisskini (Low Horn) Dr. Leroy Little Bear & Ikkayiinnii (Fast Buffalo) Dr. Digvir Jayas

On Sept. 30, Iniskim – the University of Lethbridge – will recognize the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. It is a day to honour the many children who never returned home and the survivors of residential schools, their families and communities. As a campus community our work towards meaningful reconciliation starts with each and everyone.

To continue “in a good way” as our Elders have taught us, we must continue to hold ourselves and others accountable to this process, and to commit to being a part of the solution. In 2023, ULethbridge launched the Iniskim Truth and Reconciliation Challenge to our campus community. This challenge marks an important milestone as an institution to acknowledge and address the wrongs that have been perpetuated by post-secondary institutions and our ongoing commitment to be a responsible steward upon the Blackfoot Confederacy territory.

Early in 2025, we will launch our new comprehensive strategic plan. The priority to have Indigenous knowledge, cultures, traditions and worldviews interwoven into the comprehensive strategic plan, as well as other institutional plans, is paramount in ensuring that the incorporation of Indigenous perspectives is done so in a holistic manner.

Later this week, the University will make an important announcement that remove barriers and increases access to post-secondary education for Indigenous students. We are excited for what this means for Indigenous students and communities today and in the future.

As we reflect on this past year, our response to the 94 Calls to Action can be seen in many ways across the University community. To highlight just a few recent initiatives: the importance of placemaking can be seen in the mural that has been created in the Faculty of Education by alumna, Nato’yi’kina’soyi (Holy Light that Shines Bright) Dr. Hali Heavy Shield (BA/BEd ’06, MEd ’12, PhD ’24). Dr. Heavy Shield is the first Blackfoot woman to receive a PhD from Iniskim. Additionally, five vinyl OKI greetings have been installed throughout Turcotte Hall. Designed by Isskotaahyii (Returns Home) Danielle Viel with audio recordings voiced by kii Nitsikainaakii (Sunwoman) Annette Fox-BruisedHead (BSc ’00, BEd ’02, MEd ’10, the symbols on each letter of the OKI sign represent different aspects of Indigenous education and history within the Faculty of Education.

Bearing a commitment to further the work being done to advance reconciliation and Indigenization, the Faculty of Fine Arts was gifted a Blackfoot name – Piiksinaasin – which means Manifesting Beauty. The name reflects the Faculty’s long-standing support of Indigenous arts and creative initiatives and exemplifies the work done to advance reconciliation and decolonization. The Faculty of Fine Arts Signature Events and Performance Series will launch in October with the first Mainstage production of the 2024/25 season, alterNatives. Written by Indigenous playwright Drew Hayden Taylor and directed by alum Marshall Vielle (BFA - Dramatic Arts '17), this play offers a fresh perspective on what it means to be Indigenous in today's modern world, exploring the complexities of identity, relationships and cultural intersections within a group of friends.

2024 is also the 10th anniversary of the Buffalo Treaty Signing. The Buffalo Treaty was first signed on Sept. 24, 2014, at the Blackfeet Reservation in Montana by eight First Nations/Tribes. Today, over 50 Nations/Tribes, supporters and partners have signed on, including ULethbridge – which was the first post-secondary institution to sign the treaty. Later this week, we will re-sign the Buffalo Treaty on behalf of Iniskim.

Although we will shine a spotlight on truth and reconciliation this week, meaningful reconciliation is a priority at Iniskim each and every day. A special thanks to Iikaisskini Indigenous Services and their collaborative campus partners for putting on a full schedule of events for our university community to learn more about meaning and intent on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. We hope you will make the time to participate.

For the week of Sept. 23-30, we encourage all to wear orange in honour of the thousands of Survivors of residential schools. The Bookstore is selling orange t-shirts both in-store and online. A portion of sales will be donated to Iikaisskini Indigenous Services for activities to support reconciliation and Indigenous student initiatives.

For this Truth and Reconciliation week, let us listen to learn and seek to understand as we continue to walk together in a good way on our journey towards reconciliation.

Sincerely,

Iikaisskini (Low Horn) Dr. Leroy Little Bear (BASc (BA) ’72, DASc ’04)
Vice-Provost, Iniskim Indigenous Relations

Ikkayiinnii (Fast Buffalo) Dr. Digvir Jayas, OC, PhD, DSc, PEng, PAg, FRSC
President & Vice-Chancellor

Learn More

How to deliver on the Calls to Action

The Pope’s apology to Canada does not go too far

Truth and Reconciliation: Kevin Lamoureux

A beginner’s guide to Decolonization: Kevin Lamoureaux

Sen Murray Sinclair: How can Canadians work towards reconciliation

Reconciliation is dead: Lori Campbell

Resources

If you are a former residential school survivor in distress, or have been affected by the residential school system and need help, you can contact the 24-hour Indian Residential Schools Crisis Line: 1-866-925-4419