Queen’s community members working toward making the university a safer, more welcoming place were recently recognized at the annual Tri-Awards celebration hosted by the Equity and Human Rights Offices. 

Presented by Principal Daniel Woolf, these annual awards are given out to individuals and groups that contribute to the advancement of equity, human rights, accessibility and inclusion within the Queen’s community.

The Steve Cutway Accessibility Award was presented to James McNutt, a graduate student who, while currently working on his third degree at Queen’s and fourth overall, has created a video taking a closer look at accessibility at the university. The “Video Accessibility Audit Project” aims to heighten awareness of inclusivity and accessibility on campus.  

“It’s nice to be recognized but it’s secondary to the goal,” Mr. McNutt says. “The goal is to have the video used to make changes in the way we manufacture the physical space at Queen’s.”

The Employment Equity Award was presented to the Young Women at Queen’s Employee Resource Group. Formed in 2015, this group aims to provide professional development and mentorship programming specifically for women on campus.

The Queen’s Human Rights Initiative Award was presented to the Kahswentha Indigenous Knowledge Initiative (KIKI) which brings together students, faculty, staff and administrators to open up greater discussion about Indigenous languages, history and representation on campus. To achieve this goal the group has organized teach-ins, retreats and other events.

The Tri-Awards are coordinated by the Equity Office and the Human Rights Office.