To the MSVU community,
Monday, September 30 is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day. It’s a day to honour the children who never returned home from residential school, as well as Survivors and their families and communities. It’s also a day to draw awareness to the lasting intergenerational impacts of Canada’s residential school system.
The following day, October 1, is Treaty Day and marks the start of Mi’kmaq History Month in Nova Scotia.
All of these observances are important opportunities to reaffirm our organizational and individual commitments to Truth and Reconciliation. For me personally, they are a reminder of our responsibility to ensure the decolonization of our organization (across programs, policy, services, etc.), including the removal of barriers to education for Indigenous Peoples, while at the same time ensuring the inclusion of Indigenous-informed perspectives and practices.
Our university will be closed on September 30 to mark the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. I hope you will join me in embracing opportunities for education, reflection and action on that day, and in the lead up to it, as well as throughout October and year-round.
The following are a few events of note (some are open to all, while others are for certain groups as marked):
EVENTS FOR THE MSVU COMMUNITY
September 27 – Approaching Decolonization Together (hosted online by the MSVU Teaching and Learning Centre) – MSVU faculty and staff are invited to join TLC staff for an hour of reflection, resources, and discussion on engaging in decolonization and reconciliation work in teaching. Contact the Teaching and Learning Centre for more information – tlc@msvu.ca (or refer to the TLC’s newsletter for an event link). Additional resources will be shared during the session and in next week’s newsletter.
October 3 – MSVU Campus Exchange: Spotlight on the Kinu Tourism Project – This is the first in a new series of events for MSVU students, faculty and staff (called “Campus Exchange”) designed to showcase the expertise of the members of our university community. Bradley Paul will share an update on the Kinu Tourism Project and talk about Treaties and their significance. Full details have been emailed to all students, faculty and staff.
*Special note: The Kinu Tourism Project welcomed the first cohort of students this September; I’m pleased to extend a warm welcome to each of them as well. A celebration of their start at MSVU will be held in November. Stay tuned for details!
EVENTS OPEN TO ALL
September 23 to 27 – The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation is hosting a number of online learning opportunities. Learn more about their online lunch and learn series here. There are also some event recordings and a number of other resources available on their website.
September 30 – Truth and Reconciliation Day at the Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre: Every Child Matters – Gather in the Centre’s Joan Glode Room between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. to commemorate with a book reading, cultural crafts and activities, and more.
September 30 – Mi’kmawitasik: Mi’kmaw Made Market and Cultural Showcase – The market will take place from 1 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Pier 21. Explore unique Indigenous creations, including traditional art, jewelry and crafts, followed by a cultural showcase with special performances from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATORS
September 28 – Learning with Mi’kma’ki (for early childhood professionals) – Hosted by the Child & Youth Study Department at MSVU as part of their professional development program for early childhood professionals, this free six hour training program will teach participants to see the land and natural environment through the Mi’kmaw lens and discover how to apply Two-Eyed Seeing (Etuaptmumk) to their practice. This program is made possible by contributions received through the Early Childhood Education Training Initiatives Agreement, including contributions received through the Canada-Nova Scotia Early Learning and Child Care Agreement, coordinated by the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development.
Many more MSVU departments are hosting their own events or including additional learning opportunities in their courses throughout October. As well, efforts continue across the university to expand Indigenous-informed content embedded in course curricula.
Joël
Dr. Joël Dickinson
President and Vice-Chancellor
Mount Saint Vincent University