Regrettably, the Office of Indigenous Initiatives is unable to take any training requests at this time. This includes our Land Acknowledgment Workshops, the KAIROS Blanket Exercise, and our Intercultural Awareness Certificate. We will continue to update our webpage as more information becomes available. Additional training opportunities at the University are available through the Human Rights & Equity Office https://www.queensu.ca/hreo/education and the HR Catalogue.
At this time we are only able to accommodate Walk Talks with Misty Underwood. If you would like to set up a Walk Talk for your unit or group, please read the details below.
If you have a specific training topic in mind, we would be happy to work with you on developing a workshop or training session.
Below you will find a list of current workshops and training sessions featuring Indigenous content or that are Indigenous specific.
Land Acknowledgement Workshop
Participants will learn about the historical significance of the traditional lands that Queen’s University is situated on, understand why land acknowledgements are important – both individually and in relation to Indigenous Peoples– and develop their own land acknowledgement based on their personal story.
Participants will have a chance to practice their own acknowledgement in small groups, in a safe setting.
The OII is happy to offer a land acknowledgement workshop which is bookable via the Queen’s HR Catalogue. However, if you would like a session facilitated for your department or faculty, please contact the OII directly to coordinate this.
Cultural Safety and Kairos Blanket Exercise
The Indigenous cultural safety training workshop is offered to Queen's faculty, staff, and students. Participants of these sessions will gain a better understanding of the historical, political, and cultural issues that impact Indigenous peoples in Canada, and understand the connection between past and current government practices and policies towards First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples.
From Diversity to Inclusion in the Workplace Certificate
The From Diversity to Inclusion in the Workplace (DIW) Certificate will help staff understand that to build an environment that promotes diversity and inclusion requires active participation of everyone on campus. This certificate is offered through the HR Learning Catalogue.
Register for CertificateIntercultural Awareness Certificate
This program is a five-part series of workshops which will help students to recognize that gaining intercultural awareness requires a commitment to life-long learning. Participants must attend five 90-minute workshops, or three 150-minute workshops, in order to receive a certificate. Workshops are repeated in the fall and winter terms.
Walk Talks with Misty Underwood
Hesci. Oske Wske cvhocefkv tos. Halito. Chahta ohoyo sia.
Howdy y’all! I am Misty Underwood. I am a Muscogee and Choctaw descendent. I moved from Texas in 2010 for graduate studies. I have stayed for employment and am tremendously grateful and fortunate to be working with folks across Queen’s University with the goal of growing a new pathway for Indigenous learners.
The name Walk Talk comes from Akan 1992. The Walk Talk as a pedagogical practice comes from my Pokni (Choctaw for grandmother). Through our walks, my Pokni taught me how to approach the land as a relative and as my teacher. It was the foundation of how I was raised and has become a foundational element of my life and teaching practice. It is my humble hope to share her teachings by sharing this experience.