OK, everyone. Bear with me. I’ve been working without an administrative assistant since December. Things are moving forward but at a slightly slower pace.
We’re heading into spring, a new season, and one of the first things we do in our Midwinter ceremonies is to turn down the ashes. We put intent in that act and thoughtfulness into the start of our ceremony. I’ve been thinking about the new things we have going in the university, specifically the new Indigenous hires we will soon be welcoming into the Faculty.
We recently welcomed Anishinaabe journalist Duncan McCue to the School of Journalism and Communication. The Kinàmàgawin Report highlights the crucial role of Indigenous faculty in creating space for Indigenous ways of teaching and learning. Duncan will be a great addition to Carleton’s Indigenous community and the School of Journalism and Communication. He will be integral to the growth and development of the School in alignment with Kinàmàgawin .
From March 21 to 23, I will be in Regina, Sask. for the second National Indigenous Citizenship Forum. Last year, the forum discussed “Indigenous Voices on Indigenous Identity.” We will be continuing the conversation this year and expanding our conversation.
In alignment with Kinàmàgawin Report Call to Action 37, we have moved onto the next stage in the consultation process for the establishment of the Indigenous Research Ethics Board (IREB). We will be meeting with representatives from local Indigenous communities and look forward to the conversations and progress that will be made.
We also have in the works a process for consultation on an Indigenous-specific hiring policy. The plan is to consult with Indigenous faculty first. then community members and organizations, and ending our consultation with national organizations.
She Picks Berries, painting by Dave Fadden (Kanienkehaka, Akwesasne)
Lastly, I’m really excited to be teaching the second year of the Land as Relation course (INDG 4015) in early summer. The course centers Indigenous knowledge keepers from the Algonquin community of Kitigan Zibi and explores what it means to live in relation with the land.
I’m never at a loss for interest in what I do. I look forward to this new platform as a space to share what is happening within the Office of the AVP-ITLR and bringing focus to the work of our Indigenous faculty and staff.