Queen’s University participated in a number of traditions that caused harm to Indigenous communities, and the university failed to educate our students on the long history of deep-rooted conflicts between Canada and Indigenous Peoples. We must acknowledge these failures in order to move forward and change the narrative together. We can, and will, do better.
Daniel Woolf
Principal and Vice-Chancellor
Truth and Reconciliation Commission Task Force
The national Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) released its final report in December 2015 on the history and legacy of Canada’s Indian Residential School system. The report includes 94 calls to action focused on redressing the legacy of residential schools and advancing reconciliation. In response, a university-wide task force was established to respond to the TRC calls to action directed at post-secondary institutions and develop a set of proposals that support our Indigenous students, staff, and faculty; enhance academic programs and research related to Indigenous peoples and experiences; and create a welcoming and culturally validating learning environment.
The task force’s final report "Yakwanastahentéha | Aankenjigemi | Extending the Rafters" outlines 25 recommendations for sustained institutional change, including strengthening relationships with Indigenous communities; promoting a deeper understanding of Indigenous histories, knowledge systems, and experiences; and creating a campus that values and reflects Indigenous histories and perspectives.
Final Report
TRC Task Force Final Report and Recommendations(4.07 MB)
Appendices to TRC Task Force Final Report and Recommendations (796 KB)
Progress Reports
September 2019: Truth and Reconciliation Task Force Implementation Report - Year Two(2.94 MB)
April 2018: Truth and Reconciliation Commission Task Force Annual Progress Report (891 KB)