Leading reconciliation

Leading reconciliation

A new group will begin meeting this fall to coordinate the university’s response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission task force report.

By Phil Gaudreau

August 9, 2018

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[Queen's TRC reconciliation Agnes]
In Spring 2018, an event was held at the Agnes Etherington Art Centre to mark the one year anniversary of the Queen's Truth and Reconciliation Commission task force report. (Photo by Garrett Elliott) 

When the Queen’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission task force report was issued in spring 2017, the report noted that everyone has a role to play in fostering reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples.

But it can be a challenge to coordinate and harness the energy and goodwill of a community as large as Queen’s.

This is why Kanonhsyonne (Janice Hill), Director of the Office of Indigenous Initiatives, has announced the formation of a Truth and Reconciliation Roundtable – a pan-university group designed to support the university’s reconciliation efforts.

“This group will serve as an important resource in fostering Indigeneity and reconciliation within our campus,” says Ms. Hill. “The roundtable will help us acknowledge our missteps, plan our next steps forward, and ultimately create a more welcoming environment for Indigenous Peoples at Queen’s.”

Under the guidance of Ms. Hill and Teri Shearer, Deputy Provost (Academic Operations and Inclusion), the roundtable will meet quarterly to:

  • Assist the Office of Indigenous Initiatives and the deputy provost (Academic Operations and Inclusion) in the coordination of Queen’s ongoing efforts to address the TRC calls to action;
  • Monitor the progress of the TRCTF implementation by reviewing faculty progress reports;
  • Encourage collaboration across faculties, schools, units, and all departments;
  • Identify initiatives that would benefit from additional funding; and
  • Report issues, inefficiencies, and-or inconsistencies in the TRCTF implementation efforts to the TRC Roundtable for follow-up.

The Truth and Reconciliation Roundtable will work hand-in-hand with Ms. Hill’s office, and with the University Council on Anti-Racism and Equity (UCARE), to achieve the unifying goal of creating a more inclusive campus community.

The group’s first meeting will be held this September. The inaugural membership and terms of reference can be found on the Provost's website.