Having a National Day of Truth and Reconciliation is a new concept on campus at Queen’s University, and throughout the nation known as Canada. With the broader public gaining insight into the horrors of Residential Schools, the Sixties Scoop, and so many other atrocities directed at Indigenous communities by the Canadian state, there has been some movement to trying to rectify, or at least acknowledge, the damage that has been done. Here on Queen’s campus we are benefitting from the theft of land and hostile targeting of the Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee peoples. We also benefit from colonialism in so many other ways as members of the Canadian academic community. All this is to say that there are many resources on campus and to learn about colonization, engage with decolonization, and try to become active in the process of improving our community as a whole. Here is a simple guide to some of the resources available to students so that we can all work together towards the goals of decolonization and Indigenization in our shared community.
Resources:
- Four Directions Student Centre
https://www.queensu.ca/fourdirections/
The Four Directions Indigenous Student Centre (4D) is open and committed to being of service to Indigenous Students here at Queen’s University. 4D will be hosting in-person and virtual programming and events. On September 30, 2022 the Four Directions Student Centre will be hosting a gathering and safe space for Indigenous identifying students to mark this day. https://www.queensu.ca/fourdirections/national-day-truth-reconciliation
- Land Acknowledgement
https://www.queensu.ca/indigenous/ways-knowing/land-acknowledgement#profile-tab
Queen’s University, alongside historians, and Indigenous community stakeholders, have created a Land Acknowledgement and resource guide. This resource guide not only provides information of what a Land Acknowledgement is, and why we have one at Queen’s, but also includes a brief history lesson about the territory that Queen’s is located on.
- Office of Indigenous Initiatives
https://www.queensu.ca/indigenous/
I cannot recommend this resource enough, as there is a plethora of educational sources which explore important aspects of local and national Indigenous histories, as well as current initiatives in the Queen’s community. There are also resources on how to incorporate Indigenous ways of teaching and learning into your classroom. This includes an explanation of what Truth and Reconciliation means and what you can do to be a part of the movement. It is a great place to start learning!
From the Office of Indigenous Initiatives Events and Learning Opportunities during the week of September 26-30:
Monday 26
Indigenous Art Exhibit to run all week (26-29) at Stauffer Library – 8 am to 11 pm.
Tuesday 27
2:30 pm
Taking up the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Recommendations in your Classroom
6:30 pm
Beading Workshop: open to students, with Liv Rondeau of Flint + Maple Beadwork / registration to follow, limited capacity.
Thursday 29
12:00 pm
Elder Meet & Greet: TRC – Working Towards Meaningful Respect – register here.
6:30 pm
Paint Night: open to students, discussing truth and reconciliation with Artist Jaylene Cardinal / registration to follow, limited capacity.
Friday 30, National Day for Truth and Reconciliation / Orange Shirt Day
9:00 am
TRC + Me
1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Sacred Fire, Agnes Benedickson Field, agenda to follow
12:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Sacred Fire, City Park, Kingston Indigenous Languages Nest: registration
Orange Shirt Commemoration Collaborative Display, Faculty of Health Sciences
In honor of those affected by the Residential School system, Queen’s community members are invited to contribute to a display by contributing an orange shirt in solidarity with those who have been, and continue to be, impacted by the residential school system. This space is for those wishing to write a message, a kind thought, or perhaps a name in honor of a loved one who has been impacted.
Paper orange t-shirts will be provided at the distribution tables around campus for orange t-shirt pickups. Small orange shirt graphics will be displayed in the School of Medicine from September 23rd to October 7th.
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