TRC / en Mark Canada Day with U of T /news/mark-canada-day-u-t <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Mark Canada Day with U of T</span> <div class="field field--name-field-featured-picture field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="eager" srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/2017-06-30-LEAD-CANADA150.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=GHisNHrq 370w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_740/public/2017-06-30-LEAD-CANADA150.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=47osA7fE 740w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_1110/public/2017-06-30-LEAD-CANADA150.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=jfP_GYuv 1110w" sizes="(min-width:1200px) 1110px, (max-width: 1199px) 80vw, (max-width: 767px) 90vw, (max-width: 575px) 95vw" width="740" height="494" src="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/2017-06-30-LEAD-CANADA150.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=GHisNHrq" alt="University College decked out with Canadian flags"> </div> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span>krisha</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2017-06-30T13:00:24-04:00" title="Friday, June 30, 2017 - 13:00" class="datetime">Fri, 06/30/2017 - 13:00</time> </span> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-cutline-long field--type-text-long field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Cutline</div> <div class="field__item">Canadian flags flank the entrance of University College at U of T (photo by Lisa Lightbourn) </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-author-reporters field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/authors-reporters/krisha-ravikantharaja" hreflang="en">Krisha Ravikantharaja</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-author-legacy field--type-string field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Author legacy</div> <div class="field__item">Krisha Ravikantharaja</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-topic field--type-entity-reference field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Topic</div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/topics/city-culture" hreflang="en">City &amp; Culture</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-story-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/canada-150" hreflang="en">Canada 150</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/indigenous" hreflang="en">Indigenous</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/trc" hreflang="en">TRC</a></div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Across the country, young and old will be marking Canada Day in different ways this year – by&nbsp;celebrating its many successes, drawing attention to its painful shortcomings&nbsp;and, most importantly, reflecting on what it truly means to be Canadian.</p> <p>In the&nbsp;week leading up to Canada's 150th birthday celebrations, protests at the nation's capital have been reminders that while there is much to celebrate, there is considerable work that still needs to be done.</p> <p>In&nbsp;an <a href="https://www.thestar.com/opinion/commentary/2017/06/30/facing-the-truth-makes-for-a-worthy-celebration.html">Op-Ed in the&nbsp;<em>Toronto Star</em></a>,&nbsp;U of T's&nbsp;<strong>Charles Pascal</strong>, a professor at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE),&nbsp;and&nbsp;<strong>Suzanne Stewart</strong>, an associate professor&nbsp;at&nbsp;the Dalla Lana School of Public Health, argue that there would be&nbsp;more to celebrate if the nation connected its 150th birthday bash with a more promising future and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action.</p> <p>Throughout the year, U of T has been exploring these themes for <a href="http://canada150.utoronto.ca/">Canada 150</a> – from artist&nbsp;Kent Monkman's take on Confederation with the<em> Shame and Prejudice: A Story of Resilience </em>exhibit to<em>&nbsp;</em>symposiums and conferences exploring the&nbsp;<a href="/news/students-debate-ethical-and-political-consequences-canada-150-u-t-event">ethics of celebrating Canada 150</a>,&nbsp;<a href="/news/scholars-and-writers-u-t-conference-dissect-canlit-s-relationship-land-indigenous-and">CanLit's relationship with Indigenous communities</a>,&nbsp;the <a href="/news/canada-150-u-t-symposium-examines-canadian-opera-company-s-revival-louis-riel">controversial Louis Riel opera</a>,&nbsp;<a href="/news/reconciling-how-universities-can-address-canada-s-colonial-legacy">the&nbsp;sesquicentennial's relationship to the TRC</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="/news/artists-and-scholars-come-together-re-tell-history-canada-150">a public event in Ottawa</a>&nbsp;featuring author and U&nbsp;of T&nbsp;alumnus&nbsp;<strong>Margaret Atwood</strong>&nbsp;and poet and U of T Professor&nbsp;<strong>George Elliott Clarke</strong>&nbsp;talking about the role of religion. Many of these events, along with research projects&nbsp;and cultural initiatives were supported by U of T's Canada 150 Fund.</p> <p>For Saturday, there's a wide&nbsp;range of activities planned by&nbsp;the U of T community to mark the day&nbsp;– ranging from a carillon concert to an aerial drone light show.</p> <p>Here are a few of the things to check out:</p> <h3>For the musically inclined</h3> <p>Listen to&nbsp;the bells at&nbsp;<a href="http://canada150.utoronto.ca/event/canada-day-carillon-recital-soldiers-tower-featuring-world-premiere-composition-competition-winner/">the Carillion Recital at Hart House's Soldier's Tower</a>, which features alumnus <a href="/news/uoftgrad17-ringing-bells-convocation"><strong>Roy Lee</strong></a>.&nbsp;You’ll have the chance to hear the world debut of the youth category winning entry for the House of Commons’&nbsp;<em>Chime In, Canada!</em>&nbsp;sesquicentennial composition competition.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Scott Allan Orr</strong>, a U of T alumnus,&nbsp;was the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ourcommons.ca/About/HistoryArtsArchitecture/carillon/carillon-composition-competition-e.htm">winner</a> in the open category of the competition. His composition will <a href="https://www.hilltimes.com/2017/06/07/canada-150-carillon-piece-get-premiere-canada-day-peace-tower-bells/109642">premiere</a> at the Peace Tower in Ottawa&nbsp;on Canada Day.</p> <p><img alt class="media-image attr__typeof__foaf:Image img__fid__5187 img__view_mode__media_original attr__format__media_original" height="500" src="/sites/default/files/2017-06-28-soldiers-tower-bells-embed.jpg" typeof="foaf:Image" width="750" loading="lazy"></p> <p><em>(Photo by Makeda Marc-Ali)</em></p> <h3>For the stargazers</h3> <p>If astronomy is more your thing, make your way to U of T Scarborough for <a href="http://canada150.utoronto.ca/event/guided-solar-walk-observatory-tour/">the Guided Solar Walk and Observatory</a> that models what the night sky would have looked like at the time of Confederation.</p> <h3>For the visual artists</h3> <p>If you find yourself in Calgary, visit the Glenbow Museum to check out Monkman’s&nbsp;exhibit.&nbsp;The&nbsp;Art Museum at the ؿζSM partnered with Monkman for the&nbsp;large-scale show, which debuted at U of T in January and is now travelling around the country.&nbsp;</p> <h3><a href="/news/shame-and-prejudice-u-t-art-museum-hosts-artist-kent-monkman-s-exhibit-canada-150">Read more about the exhibit here</a></h3> <p><iframe allowfullscreen frameborder="0" height="500" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/SxQ4c7mIuOM" width="750"></iframe></p> <p>In partnership with the National Initiative for the Care of the Elderly, the U of T’s Institute for Life Course and Aging is showcasing the <a href="https://wisdominitiative.wordpress.com/"><em>Wisdom Photo Project</em></a>, a series of 50 photos of seniors from across Canada that explores the ideas of aging positively and combatting ageism at&nbsp;the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work.</p> <h3>For the history buffs</h3> <p>Get a quick history lesson at Queen’s Park with <a href="/news/pop-exhibit-u-t-explores-how-canada-was-shaped-negotiation">the <em>Canada by Treaty</em> exhibit</a>. Co-curated by <strong>Heidi Bohaker</strong>, an associate professor&nbsp;of history,&nbsp;<strong>Laurie Bertram</strong>, an assistant professor of history, and <strong>James Bird</strong>, an undergraduate student, the exhibit combines maps, paintings&nbsp;and photos to illustrate how Canada was formed through legal agreements with Indigenous peoples.&nbsp;</p> <p><img alt class="media-image attr__typeof__foaf:Image img__fid__5193 img__view_mode__media_original attr__format__media_original" height="500" src="/sites/default/files/2017-06-28-canada-by-treaty-embed.jpg" typeof="foaf:Image" width="750" loading="lazy"></p> <p><em>(Photo by&nbsp;Diana Tyszko)</em></p> <p>Want more history? The <a href="/news/canada-150-u-t-s-fisher-library-exhibit-tracks-canada-s-struggles-become-welcoming-place"><em>Struggle and Story: Canada in Print </em>exhibit</a> at the Thomas Fisher Rare Book&nbsp;Library presents the tumultuous journey Canada has taken in its attempt to become a more peaceful and inclusive nation through a collection of historical documents.&nbsp;</p> <p><img alt class="media-image attr__typeof__foaf:Image img__fid__5195 img__view_mode__media_original attr__format__media_original" height="500" src="/sites/default/files/2017-06-28-loius-riel-embed.jpg" typeof="foaf:Image" width="750" loading="lazy"></p> <p><em>An illustration of Louis Riel in the magazine,&nbsp;Canadian Pictorial&nbsp;&amp; Illustrated War News, is among the documents in the </em>Struggle and Story: Canada in Print&nbsp;<em>exhibit (photo by Romi Levine).&nbsp;</em></p> <p>The U of T Libraries has also&nbsp;created <a href="https://onesearch.library.utoronto.ca/u-t-showcase-150?platform=hootsuite"><em>U of T Showcase, 150</em></a>, an interactive online timeline which highlights some of the unique holdings at the campus archives and special collections from the past century and a half.</p> <h3>For the poets…and for everyone else</h3> <p>If you find you have a few minutes to sit quietly and reflect, read Parliamentary Poet Laureate <strong>George Elliot Clarke</strong>’s&nbsp;<a href="https://lop.parl.ca/About/Parliament/Poet/English_poems/Clarke/Freedom-e.pdf"><em>Anthem for</em> Liberty<em>’s Champions</em></a>.&nbsp;In the poem, the U of T professor of English highlights the “[u]nsung champions” who have made the sesquicentennial possible.</p> <p><a href="http://www.canadiangeographic.ca/article/meet-stone-carvers-working-rejuvenate-canadas-parliament-buildings"><em>Canadian Geographic</em></a> also invited Clarke to pen a piece of prose about the stonework at the parliament buildings in Ottawa to run alongside a series of photos by Toronto photographer Peter Andrew Lusztyk.</p> <p><iframe allowfullscreen frameborder="0" height="500" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qG76sRJVIBg" width="750"></iframe></p> <h3>For the fireworks futurists</h3> <p>As an alternative to the Canada Day&nbsp;fireworks displays, watch&nbsp;one of&nbsp;<a href="http://arrowonics.com/">Arrowonics</a>' choreographed&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1KwXSZaPsM4"><font color="#0066cc">drone ballets</font></a>&nbsp;light up the night sky.</p> <p>Arrowonics is&nbsp;a company spawned from the lab of Professor <strong>Hugh Liu&nbsp;</strong>at the Insititute for Aerospace Studies at U of T. The company CEO&nbsp;is <strong>Everett Findlay</strong>, one of Liu’s former graduate students.</p> <p>Catch one of&nbsp;Arrowonics' drone aerial night shows at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.utias.utoronto.ca/research/aircraft-flight-systems-and-control/">Ontario Place</a> in Toronto&nbsp;or at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.southlondoncanadaday.com/">White Oaks Park</a>&nbsp;in&nbsp;London, Ont.,&nbsp;this weekend.</p> <h1><iframe allowfullscreen frameborder="0" height="500" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1KwXSZaPsM4" width="750"></iframe><br> <br> <a href="http://canada150.utoronto.ca/">Learn more about U of T and Canada 150</a><br> <br> &nbsp;</h1> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-home-page-banner field--type-boolean field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">News home page banner</div> <div class="field__item">Off</div> </div> Fri, 30 Jun 2017 17:00:24 +0000 krisha 108800 at Reconciliation grove: U of T student designs memorial to facilitate conversation on Canada's relationship with Indigenous people /news/reconciliation-grove-u-t-student-designs-memorial-facilitate-conversation-canada-s-relationship <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Reconciliation grove: U of T student designs memorial to facilitate conversation on Canada's relationship with Indigenous people</span> <div class="field field--name-field-featured-picture field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="eager" srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/2017-04-28-bird-model.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=RpOH_i2t 370w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_740/public/2017-04-28-bird-model.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=-OD0PgWY 740w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_1110/public/2017-04-28-bird-model.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=0tPmjo4x 1110w" sizes="(min-width:1200px) 1110px, (max-width: 1199px) 80vw, (max-width: 767px) 90vw, (max-width: 575px) 95vw" width="740" height="494" src="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/2017-04-28-bird-model.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=RpOH_i2t" alt="James bird"> </div> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span>hjames</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2017-04-28T16:30:54-04:00" title="Friday, April 28, 2017 - 16:30" class="datetime">Fri, 04/28/2017 - 16:30</time> </span> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-cutline-long field--type-text-long field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Cutline</div> <div class="field__item">Chief Stacey Laforme (left) looks over the model for a “reconciliation grove” designed by James Bird (right), a U of T undergraduate student, at a launch event on Thursday (photo by Hannah James)</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-author-reporters field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/authors-reporters/hannah-james" hreflang="en">Hannah James</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-author-legacy field--type-string field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Author legacy</div> <div class="field__item">Hannah James</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-story-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/trc" hreflang="en">TRC</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/architecture" hreflang="en">Architecture</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/undergraduate-students" hreflang="en">Undergraduate Students</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/indigenous" hreflang="en">Indigenous</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/faculty-arts-science" hreflang="en">Faculty of Arts &amp; Science</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/canada-150" hreflang="en">Canada 150</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/humanities" hreflang="en">Humanities</a></div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Arbours where visitors can sit and contemplate, headstones engraved with the names of children who died or went missing in residential schools&nbsp;and a maple tree to symbolize the country's efforts at reconciliation – those are the elements of a&nbsp;“reconciliation grove” designed by a U of T student.</p> <p><strong>James Bird </strong>designed<em>&nbsp;Words to Form – </em>an architectural model for a potential memorial that would put&nbsp;the words of reconciliation into a&nbsp;physical form – for his&nbsp;fourth-year independent study.</p> <p>His model is now on display at Hart House, through May 3. It will then be&nbsp;transported to Ottawa where it will be showcased&nbsp;at the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada in an International Indigenous Architecture and Design Symposium.</p> <p>Bird hopes that his&nbsp;“reconciliation grove” will generate interest, and one day the memorial&nbsp;will be built as a site where Indigenous and non-Indigenous people can come together and&nbsp;reflect on Canada's difficult history.</p> <p>“I wanted to build a reconciliation grove,” says Bird, a mature student who is Nehiyawak (Cree)/Métis from Fort Smith, N.W.T., and actively involved in U of T's Indigenous community.&nbsp;“I wanted to create a space where you could talk about this very difficult thing – murder, missing children, this dark past – in a space that was supportive.”</p> <p><img alt class="media-image attr__typeof__foaf:Image img__fid__4447 img__view_mode__media_original attr__format__media_original" src="/sites/default/files/james%20bird-lieutenant%20gov.jpg" style="margin: 10px; width: 750px; height: 500px;" typeof="foaf:Image"><br> <em>James Bird (left) with U of T President&nbsp;Meric Gertler (centre) and Lieutenant Governor of Ontario Elizabeth Dowdeswell&nbsp;(right), looking over Bird's model at Hart House (photo by Hannah James)</em></p> <p>In 2015, U of T formed a Truth and Reconciliation steering committee in response to the federal TRC report, and Bird has been&nbsp;part of that comimittee.&nbsp;Early this year, the committee&nbsp;recommended 32 calls to action for the university to work towards reconciliation.&nbsp;</p> <h3><a href="/news/truth-and-reconciliation-u-t">Read more about U of T's TRC report</a></h3> <h3><a href="http://www.provost.utoronto.ca/Assets/Provost+Digital+Assets/TRC_FinalReport.pdf">Read the full report</a></h3> <p>The federal TRC's call to action that inspired&nbsp;Bird to create <em>Words to Form</em> related&nbsp;to commemoration.&nbsp;No. 79&nbsp;calls on the federal government to collaborate with survivors, Indigenous organizations and the arts community to develop a reconciliaton framework for Canadian heritage and commemoration. There's another call to action for a national monument to be built&nbsp;in Ottawa and monuments in each province and territory.</p> <p>On Thursday, Bird displayed his model at Hart House as part of the&nbsp;<a href="http://canada150.utoronto.ca/event/exhibit-canada-treaty-histories-negotiated-place/">Canada By Treaty:&nbsp;Histories of a Negotiated Place</a> exhibit, which will run through May 25 as part of <a href="http://canada150.utoronto.ca/">U of T's Canada 150 initiative</a>.</p> <p>The Hart House event was attended by U of T President <strong>Meric Gertler</strong>, Munk School of Global Affairs Director <strong>Stephen Toope</strong>, who co-chaired the university's TRC steering committee, Chief Stacey Laforme of the Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation, and Ontario Lieutenant Governor Elizabeth Dowdeswell.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>The focus of Bird’s design is a maple tree, which sits at the centre of the memorial and needs to be nourished with water flowing from fountains throughout the grove.</p> <p>“The idea is that we can gauge the health of reconciliation by how this tree grows,” he says. “In fact, reconciliation is a live, growing process.”</p> <p>The tree is encircled by seven headstones rich with meaning: they represent the Seven Grandfather teachings of humility, bravery, honesty, wisdom, truth, respect and love.</p> <p>The back of each stone is engraved with the names of the 141 residential schools in Canada. The front has the names of all the children who went missing or died in those schools. The fountain water flows up and over the stones and toward the maple tree.</p> <p>“The water flows along the children’s names almost like eternal tears,” says Bird.</p> <p>Bird says he's included the arbours as places to sit and contemplate&nbsp;and lots of trees to attract songbirds which will add music to the air. He envisions big black slabs of granite in the grove to act as workspaces&nbsp;for Indigenous and non-Indigenous artists to come together and&nbsp;build projects of reconciliation on the site.</p> <p>“The word <em>reconciliation</em>&nbsp;makes a huge assumption –&nbsp;that there was a mutual relationship that started. It was never mutual, and&nbsp;so I call it <em>conciliation</em>,” he says.</p> <p>“Taking reconciliation out of the colonizer’s hands and reinventing it again – that’s what I wanted to do.”</p> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-home-page-banner field--type-boolean field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">News home page banner</div> <div class="field__item">Off</div> </div> Fri, 28 Apr 2017 20:30:54 +0000 hjames 107020 at Canada 150: U of T symposium examines Canadian Opera Company’s revival of “Louis Riel” /news/canada-150-u-t-symposium-examines-canadian-opera-company-s-revival-louis-riel <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Canada 150: U of T symposium examines Canadian Opera Company’s revival of “Louis Riel”</span> <div class="field field--name-field-featured-picture field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="eager" srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/2017-04-21-LEAD-LOUISRIEL.jpg?h=a141e9ea&amp;itok=1yDcyCXj 370w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_740/public/2017-04-21-LEAD-LOUISRIEL.jpg?h=a141e9ea&amp;itok=rybIawXE 740w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_1110/public/2017-04-21-LEAD-LOUISRIEL.jpg?h=a141e9ea&amp;itok=PxSCbO7S 1110w" sizes="(min-width:1200px) 1110px, (max-width: 1199px) 80vw, (max-width: 767px) 90vw, (max-width: 575px) 95vw" width="740" height="494" src="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/2017-04-21-LEAD-LOUISRIEL.jpg?h=a141e9ea&amp;itok=1yDcyCXj" alt="photo of the theatre during event"> </div> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span>hjames</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2017-04-25T14:06:58-04:00" title="Tuesday, April 25, 2017 - 14:06" class="datetime">Tue, 04/25/2017 - 14:06</time> </span> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-cutline-long field--type-text-long field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Cutline</div> <div class="field__item">Author and essayist John Ralston Saul spoke to a packed room at Innis College Town Hall on Friday (photo by Hannah James)</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-author-reporters field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/authors-reporters/hannah-james" hreflang="en">Hannah James</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-author-legacy field--type-string field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Author legacy</div> <div class="field__item">Hannah James</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-topic field--type-entity-reference field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Topic</div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/topics/city-culture" hreflang="en">City &amp; Culture</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-story-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/indigenous" hreflang="en">Indigenous</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/cities" hreflang="en">Cities</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/canada-150" hreflang="en">Canada 150</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/arts" hreflang="en">Arts</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/culture" hreflang="en">Culture</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/trc" hreflang="en">TRC</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/faculty-music" hreflang="en">Faculty of Music</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/innis-college" hreflang="en">Innis College</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/munk-school-global-affairs-public-policy" hreflang="en">Munk School of Global Affairs &amp; Public Policy</a></div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Opera enthusiasts, activists, scholars&nbsp;and students&nbsp;gathered at U of T the morning after the Canadian Opera Company’s premiere of <em>Louis Riel </em>to analyze&nbsp;the revival of the opera.</p> <p>“Hearing Riel: An Interdisciplinary Symposium” was hosted by the Canadian Opera Company at Innis College last week in partnership with&nbsp;U of T’s Munk School of Global Affairs and the Faculty of Music.</p> <p>Backed by U of T's <a href="http://canada150.utoronto.ca/projects/">Canada 150&nbsp;projects fund</a>, the symposium&nbsp;examined the 2017 production of the opera – the original is considered by many to be contentious and provocative – and the steps&nbsp;the Canadian Opera Company&nbsp;took to restore a more inclusive and expansive history this time around.</p> <p><img alt class="media-image attr__typeof__foaf:Image img__fid__4361 img__view_mode__media_large attr__format__media_large" src="/sites/default/files/2017-04-21-CLARKSON.jpg" style="margin: 10px; width: 680px; height: 453px;" typeof="foaf:Image"><br> <em>Former Governor General,&nbsp;Adrienne Clarkson introduced Chief Justice Beverley McLachlin (photo by Hannah James)</em></p> <p>Symposium panelists talked about the&nbsp;Métis leader, and the opera company's&nbsp;efforts to include more Indigenous voices in the&nbsp;opera, which is a modern production&nbsp;of the original composed by Harry Somers&nbsp;for Canada's 100th birthday.</p> <p>Peter Hinton, the director of the 2017 production,<em>&nbsp;</em>said that there were many factors to take into consideration when doing a piece about Louis Riel.</p> <p>“It was my intention with the production to treat it as an artifact,”&nbsp;he said.&nbsp;</p> <p>“I use that term deliberately,” said Hinton, adding that in 2017 there's an opportunity to take another look at the beauty and the musical virtuosity of the opera “and to cast light on its colonial biases, its absences, its silences, and&nbsp;what it doesn’t speak to and not be afraid of that.”</p> <p>Estelle Shook, assistant director of <em>Louis Riel</em> talked about how she put together&nbsp;the opera's ensemble of 36 Indigenous men and women who represent those directly affected by the outcomes, victories and losses of history.</p> <p><img alt class="media-image attr__typeof__foaf:Image img__fid__4357 img__view_mode__media_large attr__format__media_large" src="/sites/default/files/2017-04-21-ESTELLE-JOANNA.jpg" style="margin: 10px; width: 680px; height: 453px;" typeof="foaf:Image"><br> <em>Estelle Shook (left), assistant director of</em> Louis Riel<em>&nbsp;with Joanna Burt (right), the soprano who sings the part of Sara Riel&nbsp;(photo by Hannah James)</em>.</p> <p>Shook is Métis and the descendant of&nbsp;Saskatchewan pioneer, Thomas McKay, who testified at the trial of Louis Riel in 1885. She&nbsp;said it was important that the 2017&nbsp;production had to reframe the original telling in 1967.&nbsp;</p> <p>“It was a way to interrogate the piece, put the opera on trial,” she said.</p> <p><strong>Jean Teillet</strong>, the great-grand-niece of Louis Riel, spoke about her ancestor&nbsp;and about the historical documentation she&nbsp;found in&nbsp;family&nbsp;collections. She's now working on a&nbsp;book about the history of the Métis people.</p> <p><img alt="Photo of Jean Taillet" class="media-image attr__typeof__foaf:Image img__fid__4383 img__view_mode__media_original attr__format__media_original" src="/sites/default/files/Jean-Taillet-for-web-embed.jpg" style="width: 750px; height: 500px;" typeof="foaf:Image"><br> <em>Jean Teillet, great-grand-niece of Louis Riel, shared some documents she discovered in family troves while working on&nbsp;her fortcoming book on Riel (photo by Hannah James)</em></p> <p>Linda Mitchell and Judith Burgess said they came to the symposium as a primer, before seeing the production. Burgess said it’s a part of Canadian history, and she felt it was important to come and learn.</p> <p>Joanna Burt, the soprano who sings the role of Riel's sister, Sara&nbsp;in the opera opened a roundtable discussion titled, “Collaborations: Indigenous Art and Western Art Forms,” with a song and drum performance.</p> <p><img alt class="media-image attr__typeof__foaf:Image img__fid__4359 img__view_mode__media_large attr__format__media_large" src="/sites/default/files/2017-04-21-AUDIENCE.jpg" style="margin: 10px; width: 680px; height: 453px;" typeof="foaf:Image"><br> <em>Linda Mitchell (left) and Judith Burgess (right) came to learn more about Louis Riel prior to seeing the opera (photo by Hannah James)</em></p> <p>The roundtable included Shook, along with Hinton, the playwright, performer, director and producer, Marie Clements, and the dramaturge&nbsp;<strong>Paula Danckert</strong>.</p> <p>“There's nothing more Eurocentric than opera,”&nbsp;said Danckert, a graduate student at The Centre for Drama, Theatre and Performance at U of T.&nbsp;“So how do you operate in this form with this content?&nbsp;This is the time to hand over the story to the people to whom it belongs.”</p> <p><strong>Sarah Koval</strong> and <strong>Taryn Jackson</strong>,&nbsp;graduate students in the Faculty of Music, participated in another roundtable discussion titled, “A Year with Riel.”</p> <p><img alt="Sarah Jackson and Taryn Koval, creators of the Louis Riel podcast" class="media-image attr__typeof__foaf:Image img__fid__4366 img__view_mode__media_large attr__format__media_large" src="/sites/default/files/2017-04-21-JACKSON-KOVAL.jpg" style="margin: 10px; width: 680px; height: 453px;" typeof="foaf:Image"><br> <em>U of T students, Taryn Jackson (left) and Sarah Koval (right) created the Louis Riel podcast (photo by Hannah James)</em></p> <p>The grad students&nbsp;spoke about what it took to create their <a href="http://uoftmusicicm.ca/2017/02/07/louis-riel-podcast/">Louis Riel podcast</a>.</p> <p>With funding from U of T's <a href="http://canada150.utoronto.ca/projects/">Canada 150 student fund</a>, Koval and Jackson spent months researching Riel and interviewing experts, historians and people involved in putting together the sesquicentennial Louis Riel opera.&nbsp;</p> <h3><a href="/news/u-t-podcast-examines-controversial-m%C3%A9tis-leader-louis-riel-canada-150">Read more about the Louis Riel podcast</a></h3> <p><img alt class="media-image attr__typeof__foaf:Image img__fid__4360 img__view_mode__media_large attr__format__media_large" src="/sites/default/files/2017-04-21-PETER-HINTON-MARIE-CLEMENTS.jpg" style="margin: 10px; width: 680px; height: 453px;" typeof="foaf:Image"><br> <em>The opera's</em>&nbsp;<em>director&nbsp;Peter Hinton (fourth&nbsp;from left) and playwright, director and filmmaker&nbsp;Marie Clements (right) speak to symposium attendees after their roundtable discussion (photo by Hannah James)</em></p> <p><strong>Keren Rice</strong>, interim director of the Centre for Indigenous Studies at U of T, introduced <strong>John Ralston Saul </strong>and his talk, “On Louis Riel, Métis and Canadian Histories, and Tensions between Martyrdom and Power.”&nbsp;</p> <p>Saul,&nbsp;who authored&nbsp;<em>A Metis Civilization,</em>&nbsp;spoke about truth and reconciliation, and said that there is no reconciliation without restitution. He also spoke about the role of the opera, noting the well-documented moment where Riel refused to plead insanity in order to save his life because the cause was greater than himself.</p> <p>Riel made a personal sacrifice when he martyred himself for his cause, and therefore the opera should properly reflect who he was, Saul said.</p> <p>Russell Wustenberg, a freelance opera director, travelled from Montreal to attend the opera's&nbsp;premiere&nbsp;and then the&nbsp;symposium. He said that he is American, but feels some connection to the Riel story because Riel was exiled to Minnesota where he is from.</p> <p>He was interested in how the opera company worked with the community&nbsp;and incorporated people who had never worked in opera before to create a more inclusive production.</p> <p>“This is new ground for opera. It's not a surprise to me to learn that the individuals involved in the creation are first time opera workers,”&nbsp;said Wustenberg.</p> <p><img alt class="media-image attr__typeof__foaf:Image img__fid__4363 img__view_mode__media_large attr__format__media_large" src="/sites/default/files/2017-04-21-RUSSELL%20WUSTENBERG.jpg" style="margin: 10px; width: 680px; height: 453px;" typeof="foaf:Image"><br> <em>Freelance opera director Russell Wustenberg travelled from Quebec to attend the symposium at U of T (photo by Hannah James)</em></p> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-home-page-banner field--type-boolean field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">News home page banner</div> <div class="field__item">Off</div> </div> Tue, 25 Apr 2017 18:06:58 +0000 hjames 106990 at U of T launches free MCAT prep course for students in financial need /news/u-t-launches-free-mcat-prep-course-students-financial-need <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">U of T launches free MCAT prep course for students in financial need</span> <div class="field field--name-field-featured-picture field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="eager" srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/2017-04-19-LEAD-MSSP.jpg?h=3fcbca33&amp;itok=zR5hbkZ6 370w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_740/public/2017-04-19-LEAD-MSSP.jpg?h=3fcbca33&amp;itok=BGsK-SCF 740w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_1110/public/2017-04-19-LEAD-MSSP.jpg?h=3fcbca33&amp;itok=Z9xtdsfR 1110w" sizes="(min-width:1200px) 1110px, (max-width: 1199px) 80vw, (max-width: 767px) 90vw, (max-width: 575px) 95vw" width="740" height="494" src="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/2017-04-19-LEAD-MSSP.jpg?h=3fcbca33&amp;itok=zR5hbkZ6" alt="Faculty of Medicine Ignite conference "> </div> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span>hjames</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2017-04-24T15:59:07-04:00" title="Monday, April 24, 2017 - 15:59" class="datetime">Mon, 04/24/2017 - 15:59</time> </span> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-cutline-long field--type-text-long field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Cutline</div> <div class="field__item">Students at a Faculty of Medicine conference promoting diversity within the profession (photo by Justice Achampong)</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-author-reporters field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/authors-reporters/hannah-james" hreflang="en">Hannah James</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-author-legacy field--type-string field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Author legacy</div> <div class="field__item">Hannah James</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-topic field--type-entity-reference field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Topic</div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/topics/city-culture" hreflang="en">City &amp; Culture</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-story-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/medicine" hreflang="en">Medicine</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/diversity" hreflang="en">Diversity</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/indigenous" hreflang="en">Indigenous</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/trc" hreflang="en">TRC</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/students" hreflang="en">Students</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/black" hreflang="en">Black</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/law" hreflang="en">Law</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/education" hreflang="en">Education</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/financial-aid" hreflang="en">Financial Aid</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-subheadline field--type-string-long field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Subheadline</div> <div class="field__item">“We hope for greater diversity within our MD program” </div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>This spring U of T's Faculty of Medicine&nbsp;has offered&nbsp;30 high potential, low-income students the chance to take a free course to help them prepare for the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT).</p> <p>Designed by students in the Faculty of Medicine, the MCAT Student Support Program or MSSP doesn't just follow&nbsp;other popular college prep courses. It&nbsp;offers a regimented study program as well as opportunities to network and meet mentors in the medical community.</p> <p>“We want to alleviate barriers to doing well on the MCAT,” says <strong>Ike Okafor</strong>, who came up with the idea at the&nbsp;Faculty of Medicine, and then found students to help design it.</p> <p>Okafor, who is senior officer of service learning and diversity outreach at the <a href="http://www.md.utoronto.ca/OHPSA">Office of Health Professions Student Affairs</a>, says the program is part of the faculty's&nbsp;<a href="http://www.md.utoronto.ca/community-support">Community of Support</a> initiative and part of a&nbsp;broader strategy to increase the number of medical students from underrepresented communities. In designing the program, he also consulted with U of T's Faculty of Law, which runs a similar program for the LSAT called, the<a href="https://www.law.utoronto.ca/admissions/youth-outreach/lsap"> Law School Access Program (LSAP)</a>&nbsp;for high potential, low income students.</p> <p>“The cost of the MCAT is something that I personally really struggled with,” says <strong>Tal Milman</strong>, a second-year medical student who helped work on the Faculty of Medicine's program. He and other students in the Communications Populations and Public Health class were approached by Okafor to help design the program.</p> <p>Milman and his classmates wanted to go&nbsp;beyond coming up with a study plan&nbsp;and hiring facilitators to oversee student progress for the program.&nbsp;</p> <p>“A big thing for me is not only the financial capital but the social capital. Another barrier is not being connected with anyone who can help,” he says.</p> <p><strong>Dawn Maracle</strong>, <a href="http://www.md.utoronto.ca/office-indigenous-medical-education">Indigenous undergraduate medical education program coordinator</a> at U of T, says the program is a great support for Indigenous and other marginalized students.</p> <p>“Many privileged groups have doctors in their families&nbsp;or doctors to guide them,” says Maracle. “Typically Indigenous students are first generation in their family in postsecondary education so they don’t have the same networks of experiences and mentors who can assist them in the process.”</p> <p>The MCAT support program&nbsp;provides access to medical students, physicians and mentors to “keep students on track, inspired and motivated,” says Milman.</p> <p>The program has&nbsp;secured funding from the Faculty of Medicine as well as the Canadian Medical Association’s MD Financial.</p> <p>The program also offers mentors. The Summer Application Support Initiative (SASI) – launched last summer by the Black Medical Students Association (BMSA) and Communities of Support (COS) – matches students with mentors who can help with medical school applications.</p> <p>Students who weren't able to take advantage of the MSSP program this year can still sign up for the SASI.</p> <p>“Last year, we connected 97 students to mentors, and we’re hoping to see our numbers increase this year because the MSSP will bring new students to this program,” says <strong>Rahel Zewude</strong>, a second-year medical student and co-director of the BMSA.</p> <p>The MCAT support program will begin May&nbsp;1st and runs for 11 weeks.</p> <p>“We're focused on creating greater access for underrepresented students – Black, Indigenous, economically disadvantaged,”&nbsp;says Okafor.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>“We hope for greater diversity within our MD program and in the medical profession.”</p> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-home-page-banner field--type-boolean field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">News home page banner</div> <div class="field__item">Off</div> </div> Mon, 24 Apr 2017 19:59:07 +0000 hjames 106843 at U of T’s new director of Indigenous initiatives /news/u-t-s-new-director-indigenous-initiatives <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">U of T’s new director of Indigenous initiatives</span> <div class="field field--name-field-featured-picture field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="eager" srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/2017-04-19-LEAD-JHD.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=-bFcMoHl 370w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_740/public/2017-04-19-LEAD-JHD.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=AJNMzjl2 740w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_1110/public/2017-04-19-LEAD-JHD.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=DAkVspM1 1110w" sizes="(min-width:1200px) 1110px, (max-width: 1199px) 80vw, (max-width: 767px) 90vw, (max-width: 575px) 95vw" width="740" height="494" src="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/2017-04-19-LEAD-JHD.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=-bFcMoHl" alt="Jonathan Hamilton-Diabo in front of First Nations House earlier this year"> </div> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span>ullahnor</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2017-04-19T15:31:19-04:00" title="Wednesday, April 19, 2017 - 15:31" class="datetime">Wed, 04/19/2017 - 15:31</time> </span> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-cutline-long field--type-text-long field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Cutline</div> <div class="field__item">Jonathan Hamilton-Diabo in front of First Nations House earlier this year (photo by Lisa Lighbourn)</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-author-reporters field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/authors-reporters/hannah-james" hreflang="en">Hannah James</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-author-legacy field--type-string field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Author legacy</div> <div class="field__item">Hannah James</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-topic field--type-entity-reference field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Topic</div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/topics/city-culture" hreflang="en">City &amp; Culture</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-story-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/indigenous" hreflang="en">Indigenous</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/first-nations-house" hreflang="en">First Nations House</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/trc" hreflang="en">TRC</a></div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p><strong>Jonathan Hamilton-Diabo</strong>&nbsp;– a central figure in U of T’s Indigenous community as the director of Aboriginal services at First Nations House – is embarking on a new leadership role.</p> <p><u><a href="http://memos.provost.utoronto.ca/appointment-of-jonathan-hamilton-diabo-as-director-indigenous-initiatives-pdadc-90/">Hamilton-Diabo has been appointed the director of Indigenous initiatives</a></u> – a position established to support and guide the U of T community as it begins to work towards reconciliation.</p> <p>“I feel honoured to be chosen for this new role and to be creating more opportunities for Indigenous peoples at U of T,” says Hamilton-Diabo, who has been at U of T for 17 years as a student, staff member and educator.</p> <p>The position was created earlier this year in response to the report by U of T’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission Steering Committee, which Hamilton-Diabo co-chaired.</p> <h3><u><a href="/news/truth-and-reconciliation-u-t">Read more about the TRC committee report</a></u></h3> <p><img alt="Student, James Bird (left) smudges Jonathan Hamilton-Diabo at TRC entrusment ceremony" class="media-image attr__typeof__foaf:Image img__fid__4321 img__view_mode__media_large attr__format__media_large" src="/sites/default/files/2017-04-19-ENTRUSTMENT.jpg" style="margin: 10px; width: 680px; height: 453px;" typeof="foaf:Image"></p> <p><em>Student, James Bird (left) and Jonathan Hamilton-Diabo at TRC entrustment ceremony in January this year (photo by Johnny Guatto)</em></p> <p>Hamilton-Diabo grew up in Kahnawà:ke Mohawk Nation in Quebec. He holds undergraduate degrees from Concordia University and York University, and a master’s degree in&nbsp;theological studies from Emmanuel College at Victoria University.</p> <p>Important work around Indigenous issues has been going on at U of T for years – especially at First Nations House, says Hamilton-Diabo.</p> <p>“I have been fortunate to work with, and learn from, many fantastic people over the years,” he says. “Two people in particular that I am grateful to, especially as I first became director, are<u><strong> <a href="/news/memoriam-lillian-mcgregor">Lillian McGregor</a></strong></u>&nbsp;and <strong>Grafton Antone</strong>, former Elders at First Nations House. Today, I also greatly appreciate <u><strong><a href="/news/meeting-place-lee-maracle">Lee Maracle</a></strong></u> and <u><strong><a href="https://www.studentlife.utoronto.ca/fnh/elders">Andrew Wesley</a></strong></u>, who have continued to provide me with their support.</p> <p>“And of course, none of this would be possible without <u><a href="/news/commemorating-25-years-u-t-s-first-nations-house"><strong>Diane Longboat</strong>, who was the founding director of First Nations House in 1992</a>.</u>”</p> <p>First Nations House, Hamilton-Diabo says, is a “holder of stories” and a place where Indigenous people can feel safe sharing their identity, interests and struggles.</p> <p>In his new role, Hamilton-Diabo says he’d like to build that same sense of trust in the broader university community.</p> <p>“I’d like it to get to a place where the Indigenous community will look at U of T as an option to consider – a place they can trust – when they’re thinking about post-secondary&nbsp;or a partnership opportunity,” he says.</p> <p>Hamilton-Diabo points out that <u><a href="/news/u-t-s-giant-powwow-draws-hundreds-people-across-province">U of T’s student-run powwow last month attracted hundreds of people from inside and outside U of T</a></u>. Events like that probably wouldn’t have received the same internal support when he first arrived at the university 17 years ago, he adds. This new interest is encouraging, Hamilton-Diabo says – and he’s eager to work on deeper, institutional change.</p> <p>“There’s much more that needs to be considered such as curriculum, hiring of people and really thinking about how to create a stronger presence of Indigenous culture here at U of T,” he says.</p> <p>“Jonathan Hamilton-Diabo has been an invaluable resource and guide for students, faculty and staff at the University for many years,” said Vice-President and Provost<strong> Cheryl Regehr</strong>. “His leadership and experience will be indispensable as we work towards reconciliation.”</p> <p>Hamilton-Diabo’s expertise is widely recognized beyond the university, Regehr said. He has also served on the Toronto Police Services Aboriginal Peacekeeping Unit’s advisory committee,&nbsp;the Council of Ontario Universities’ Aboriginal Reference Group and Self-Identification working group,&nbsp;the Ministry of Training, Colleges, and Universities’ Aboriginal Post-Secondary Framework working group&nbsp;and the Toronto Urban Native Ministry.</p> <p>In his new role, Hamilton-Diabo’s mandate will be to listen, coordinate, advise and collaborate with academic and non-academic communities in addressing the steering committee’s calls to action.</p> <p>He’ll also be engaging Indigenous people in and outside of the university in the mission of the university, broadly intersecting with such areas as teaching and learning, student experience, faculty and staff recruitment and engagement, and community-based research.</p> <p>While many post-secondary institutions are beginning the work of reconciliation, Hamilton-Diabo says U of T is in a strong place to become a leader.</p> <p>“Because of where we are located and the resources that are available in and outside U of T, there’s so much untapped potential,” he says. “There’s so much we can be doing.”&nbsp;</p> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-home-page-banner field--type-boolean field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">News home page banner</div> <div class="field__item">Off</div> </div> Wed, 19 Apr 2017 19:31:19 +0000 ullahnor 106844 at Why Blanket Exercises are experiencing a resurgence, and U of T is at the forefront /news/why-blanket-exercises-are-experiencing-resurgence-and-u-t-forefront <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Why Blanket Exercises are experiencing a resurgence, and U of T is at the forefront</span> <div class="field field--name-field-featured-picture field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="eager" srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/2017-04-11-LEAD-BLANKET-EXERCISE.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=IayMh5rm 370w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_740/public/2017-04-11-LEAD-BLANKET-EXERCISE.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=lK5N-SZu 740w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_1110/public/2017-04-11-LEAD-BLANKET-EXERCISE.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=I9AWhyCm 1110w" sizes="(min-width:1200px) 1110px, (max-width: 1199px) 80vw, (max-width: 767px) 90vw, (max-width: 575px) 95vw" width="740" height="494" src="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/2017-04-11-LEAD-BLANKET-EXERCISE.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=IayMh5rm" alt="Blanket Exercise at U of T "> </div> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span>hjames</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2017-04-11T17:38:35-04:00" title="Tuesday, April 11, 2017 - 17:38" class="datetime">Tue, 04/11/2017 - 17:38</time> </span> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-cutline-long field--type-text-long field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Cutline</div> <div class="field__item">A Blanket Exercise hosted by Emmanuel College Student Council (all photos by Shannon Neufeldt courtesy of KAIROS)</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-author-reporters field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/authors-reporters/hannah-james" hreflang="en">Hannah James</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/authors-reporters/peter-boisseau" hreflang="en">Peter Boisseau</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/authors-reporters/peter-boisseau" hreflang="en">Peter Boisseau</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-author-legacy field--type-string field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Author legacy</div> <div class="field__item">Hannah James &amp; Peter Boisseau</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-topic field--type-entity-reference field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Topic</div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/topics/city-culture" hreflang="en">City &amp; Culture</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-story-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/indigenous" hreflang="en">Indigenous</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/trc" hreflang="en">TRC</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-subheadline field--type-string-long field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Subheadline</div> <div class="field__item">“It is common to have a reaction – emotional or surprising”</div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Blanket Exercises are being organized across&nbsp;U of T, at events and at conferences, as a way for people to better understand the history of the land we now call Canada.</p> <p>Blankets,&nbsp;laid on the floor, represent the land and the many cultures and nations that live on it.</p> <p>“These are not academic exercises. They connect with us on levels both physical and emotional,”&nbsp;said <strong>Dawn Maracle</strong>, who has facilitated Blanket Exercises at U of T and beyond.</p> <p>The Blanket Exercise was developed by KAIROS, an ecumenical group promoting social justice and peace as an educational tool when the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples was released in 1996. It was a way to help people understand the shared history of Indigenous and non-Indigenous people in Canada.&nbsp;During the exercises, participants represent First Peoples. When they walk on the blankets they are taken on a journey through time. A script is read aloud that takes&nbsp;participants through pre-contact, treaty-making, colonization and resistance.</p> <p>“They are meant to be received by us differently than traditional schooling,” said Maracle who is also the&nbsp;Indigenous undergraduate medical education program coordinator at&nbsp;U of T's&nbsp;Faculty of Medicine.&nbsp;“They help to tap into empathy, an element of education that has never been systemically attended to in this country.”</p> <p><strong>Shannon Neufeld</strong>t, a Blanket Exercise facilitator at KAIROS and U of T alumna said that since Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission released its 94 calls to action in 2015, there’s been a lot of interest in Blanket Exercises.</p> <p>“It’s one of our most popular workshops,” said Neufeldt.</p> <p><em>(Below, participants at Emmanuel College)</em></p> <p><img alt="photo of two people doing blanket exercise" class="media-image attr__typeof__foaf:Image img__fid__4212 img__view_mode__media_original attr__format__media_original" src="/sites/default/files/2017-04-11-blanket-embed-Brathwaite-Scofield.jpg" style="margin: 10px 20px; width: 350px; height: 467px; float: left;" typeof="foaf:Image"></p> <p>In January,&nbsp;<u><a href="/news/humility-responsibility-and-opportunity-u-t-responds-final-trc-steering-committee-report">U of T's TRC steering committee released its own report</a>,</u>&nbsp;and the <u><a href="/news/humility-responsibility-and-opportunity-u-t-responds-final-trc-steering-committee-report">university responded by accepting its responsibility</a></u> in contributing to the plight of Indigenous peoples.</p> <p>“There’s more and more interest in opening up conversations about reconciliation,” says Neufeldt.</p> <p>Neufeldt said she has helped facilitate Blanket Exercises at U of T’s Campus Chaplains Association, the Multi-Faith Centre and Emmanuel College.<em>&nbsp;</em></p> <p>In November and January, Neufeldt helped train <a href="http://harthouse.ca/events/the-blanket-exercise-experience-and-facilitator-training/">Blanket Exercise facilitators at U of T's Hart House</a>.</p> <p>At a recent Blanket Exercise hosted by the Faculty of Law, <strong><u><a href="https://www.law.utoronto.ca/faculty-staff/staff/amanda-carling">Amanda Carling</a></u></strong>, manager of the <a href="http://www.law.utoronto.ca/programs-centres/programs/indigenous-initiatives-office">Indigenous Initiatives Office</a>, warned participants that what they were about to hear might be upsetting.</p> <p>“It will be really difficult for some of you to hear these things, and you might want to cry, or hug a friend, or step out for a moment,” Carling said.&nbsp;“But the reason to tell you this is not to make you feel guilty&nbsp;or bear the burden of this. We’re here to learn&nbsp;and support each other.”</p> <p>Elder <strong>Robert "Bob" Phillips</strong> shared some of his own life experiences, as he prepared&nbsp;a smudge. &nbsp;</p> <p>“When I went to school, teachers would say things like,&nbsp;‘You just be quiet, you little savage,’ and other times they’d call me stupid,” said the 72-year-old Phillips, who was born in Nova Scotia but grew up in Toronto's west end.</p> <p>A polyglot with a PhD in Indigenous studies, Phillips&nbsp;told the group he was thrown out of school in Grade 12 and said&nbsp;“even to this day, I sometimes have the feeling that I'm stupid.”</p> <p>Phillips said his mother told him to avoid telling people he was “an Indian”&nbsp;and to say he was English, French or Scottish instead.&nbsp;His great-grandfather bought a farm outside the Pictou Landing reserve in Nova Scotia so that his descendants would no longer be considered “Indians” under federal law, and their children would therefore be protected from being taken away to residential schools.</p> <p>“Now I understand why great grandfather would do that,” Phillips said.</p> <h3><u><a href="https://www.law.utoronto.ca/news/understanding-reconciliation-blanket-exercise">Read more about the Faculty of Law Blanket Exercise</a></u></h3> <p>“It is common to have a reaction – either emotional, or surprising, and that is part of the decolonial, anti-racism work we do in unlearning colonial education,” said Maracle, who recently&nbsp;spoke&nbsp;about&nbsp;the&nbsp;importance of the Blanket Exercise at a <a href="/news/u-t-marks-international-day-elimination-discrimination">U of T conference marking the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination</a>.</p> <p>Maracle said the Blanket Exercises provide an&nbsp;opportunity to learn more about residential and Indian Day schools, Truth and Reconciliation, and about how Indigenous and non-Indigenous people can become allies with one another.</p> <p>“This lays the groundwork for all future successes we will have in implementing the calls to action and creating a better community for everyone,” said Maracle.&nbsp;</p> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-home-page-banner field--type-boolean field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">News home page banner</div> <div class="field__item">Off</div> </div> Tue, 11 Apr 2017 21:38:35 +0000 hjames 106692 at U of T's giant powwow draws hundreds of people from across the province /news/u-t-s-giant-powwow-draws-hundreds-people-across-province <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">U of T's giant powwow draws hundreds of people from across the province</span> <div class="field field--name-field-featured-picture field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="eager" srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/2013-03-13-LEAD-PURPLE.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=gFUSGkjJ 370w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_740/public/2013-03-13-LEAD-PURPLE.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=hoXuax_9 740w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_1110/public/2013-03-13-LEAD-PURPLE.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=srVcPYDg 1110w" sizes="(min-width:1200px) 1110px, (max-width: 1199px) 80vw, (max-width: 767px) 90vw, (max-width: 575px) 95vw" width="740" height="494" src="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/2013-03-13-LEAD-PURPLE.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=gFUSGkjJ" alt="Photo of powwow dancer"> </div> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span>hjames</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2017-03-13T17:00:49-04:00" title="Monday, March 13, 2017 - 17:00" class="datetime">Mon, 03/13/2017 - 17:00</time> </span> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-cutline-long field--type-text-long field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Cutline</div> <div class="field__item">Traditional dancers performed at Saturday's powwow to celebrate Canada's indigeneity (photo by Hannah James) </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-author-reporters field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/authors-reporters/hannah-james" hreflang="en">Hannah James</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-author-legacy field--type-string field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Author legacy</div> <div class="field__item">Hannah James </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-topic field--type-entity-reference field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Topic</div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/topics/city-culture" hreflang="en">City &amp; Culture</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-story-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/indigenous" hreflang="en">Indigenous</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/powwow" hreflang="en">Powwow</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/trc" hreflang="en">TRC</a></div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Hundreds gathered at the ؿζSM's Athletic Centre on Saturday for a major powwow, featuring traditional dancers, food and Indigenous culture.</p> <p>The event, organized by the university's<a href="http://indigenousstudies.utoronto.ca/undergraduate/issu/">&nbsp;Indigenous Studies Student Union</a>, was the first powwow at U of T in&nbsp;20 years. It drew young and old from across the province, including&nbsp;<strong>Carolyn Bennett</strong>, the federal Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs and a U of T alumna.</p> <p>Bennett spoke briefly at the event and presented&nbsp;the Indigenous Studies Student&nbsp;Union with a painting of a wolf. &nbsp;</p> <p><iframe allowfullscreen frameborder="0" height="500" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/jjUP5BXxCEQ" width="750"></iframe></p> <h3><a href="http://www.cbc.ca/beta/news/canada/toronto/first-u-of-t-powwow-in-20-years-shines-spotlight-on-indigenous-culture-1.4021756">Read more at CBC News</a></h3> <p>“It was awesome,”&nbsp;said&nbsp;<strong>Trina Moyan</strong>, one of the student organizers.&nbsp;“It&nbsp;was just so&nbsp;emotionally moving. My husband, our son and I broke down crying as we saw those staffs lead our beautiful Indigenous people out onto the floor, to be respectfully recognized as the original peoples of the land on which U of T operates.&nbsp;This was a very powerful moment for us!”</p> <p><img alt class="media-image attr__typeof__foaf:Image img__fid__3784 img__view_mode__media_original attr__format__media_original" src="/sites/default/files/trina%20and%20carolyn%20bennett1.jpg" style="width: 750px; height: 500px;" typeof="foaf:Image"><br> <em>Federal Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs Carolyn Bennett (right) gives&nbsp;student Trina Moyen (left) a gift because of the student union's work organizing the powwow (photo by Hannah James)&nbsp;</em></p> <p><strong><u>Grand Entry</u></strong></p> <p>The powwow officially began with the Grand Entry at 1 p.m., featuring prominent members of U of T’s community, including <strong>Susan McCahan</strong>, vice provost, innovations in undergraduate education,&nbsp;Indigenous faculty,&nbsp;and&nbsp;provincial and federal dignitaries. They were part of a&nbsp;procession&nbsp;into the gymnasium, some bearing flags.</p> <p>U of T Elder&nbsp;<strong>Andrew Wesley</strong>&nbsp;carried a flag for U of T’s&nbsp;First Nations House, where he is an&nbsp;Elder-in-Residence.</p> <p>Chief Stacey Laforme of the Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation carried&nbsp;his community’s Eagle Staff and flags,&nbsp;signifying that U of T operates on land that is part of the Dish with One Spoon Treaty.</p> <p><img alt class="media-image attr__typeof__foaf:Image img__fid__3762 img__view_mode__media_large attr__format__media_large" src="/sites/default/files/2017-03-13-GRAND-ENTRY.jpg" style="width: 680px; height: 453px;" typeof="foaf:Image"><br> <em>The powwow session began with Grand Entry and a prayer by a U of T elder (photo by Hannah James)</em></p> <p><strong>Jennifer Sylvester</strong>, Indigenous Studies Student Union president and Indigenous Festival Committee chair, welcomed everyone to the powwow.</p> <p>The students union had been planning the event for a year.</p> <p><img alt class="media-image attr__typeof__foaf:Image img__fid__3766 img__view_mode__media_large attr__format__media_large" height="453" src="/sites/default/files/2017-03-13-CROWD.jpg" typeof="foaf:Image" width="680" loading="lazy"><br> <em>More than&nbsp;800 people attended the event, coming in from the across province (photo by Hannah James)</em></p> <p>McCahan spoke about the&nbsp;<a href="http://memos.provost.utoronto.ca/humility-responsibility-opportunity-in-response-to-the-report-of-the-university-of-torontos-truth-and-reconciliation-commission-steering-committee-pdadc-62/">university's response</a> to the federal&nbsp;Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Final Report, saying that the university is committed to working towards reconciliation. McCahan also spoke about the university's commitment to funding more Indigenous faculty and staff.</p> <h3><a href="/news/humility-responsibility-and-opportunity-u-t-responds-final-trc-steering-committee-report">Read more about U of T's response to TRC</a></h3> <p><strong><u>The dancers</u></strong></p> <p>Dancers who performed at the powwow included hoop dancers, jingle dancers and Aztec dancers, many of whom are students at U of T. &nbsp;</p> <p><img alt class="media-image attr__typeof__foaf:Image img__fid__3763 img__view_mode__media_large attr__format__media_large" height="453" src="/sites/default/files/2017-03-13-HOOP-DANCER.jpg" typeof="foaf:Image" width="680" loading="lazy"><br> <em>A hoop dancer&nbsp;demonstrates his&nbsp;skill (photo by Hannah James)</em></p> <p>The Athletic Centre gymnasium was transformed by dancers in colourful regalia, and the sounds of drumming and singing. Dancers of various styles –&nbsp;from fancy shawl to jingle to hoop dancers and Métis&nbsp;jiggers – performed throughout the afternoon.</p> <p><img alt class="media-image attr__typeof__foaf:Image img__fid__3764 img__view_mode__media_large attr__format__media_large" height="453" src="/sites/default/files/2017-03-13-GREEN-GUY.jpg" typeof="foaf:Image" width="680" loading="lazy"><br> <em>Some dancers added flourishes to their regalia at Saturday's powwow (photo by Hannah James)</em></p> <p>The powwow featured worskhops to teach guests how to dance in different styles, including a round dance and Métis jigging.</p> <p><img alt class="media-image attr__typeof__foaf:Image img__fid__3772 img__view_mode__media_large attr__format__media_large" height="453" src="/sites/default/files/2017-03-13-BOY-KNEELING.jpg" typeof="foaf:Image" width="680" loading="lazy"><br> <em>A small boy finds a spot to relax amidst the jingle dancers (photo by Hannah James)</em></p> <p>Moyen noted that children played a big part in the powwow.</p> <p>“It was wonderful watching the children share in that sacred circle – children from all backgrounds, uniting and dancing,&nbsp;laughing and bonding as allies to the beat of our Indigenous drums and songs,” she said.</p> <p><img alt class="media-image attr__typeof__foaf:Image img__fid__3768 img__view_mode__media_large attr__format__media_large" height="453" src="/sites/default/files/2017-03-13-WOLF.jpg" typeof="foaf:Image" width="680" loading="lazy"><br> <em>A young dancer in a coyote skin joins a round dance (photo by Hannah James)</em></p> <p><b><u>Indigenous artisans</u></b></p> <p>People attending the powwow could browse tables full&nbsp;of handicrafts, and purchase bead work, leather goods and quilts.</p> <p><img alt class="media-image attr__typeof__foaf:Image img__fid__3782 img__view_mode__media_large attr__format__media_large" height="453" src="/sites/default/files/2013-03-13-MOCCASINS.jpg" typeof="foaf:Image" width="680" loading="lazy"><br> <em>Handmade moccasins were one of many handicrafts on sale at the powwow (photo by Hannah James)</em></p> <p><u><strong>Honouring missing and murdered Indigenous women</strong></u></p> <p>Missing and murdered Indigenous women were honoured during the powwow with a dance led by U of T undergrad <strong>Nichole Leveck</strong>, head female dancer at the event.&nbsp;</p> <p><img alt class="media-image attr__typeof__foaf:Image img__fid__3783 img__view_mode__media_large attr__format__media_large" height="453" src="/sites/default/files/2013-03-13-NICHOLE.jpg" typeof="foaf:Image" width="680" loading="lazy"><br> <em>Nichole Leveck appears to&nbsp;glide with graceful steps. She danced to&nbsp;honour&nbsp;missing and murdered Indigenous women (photo by Hannah James)</em></p> <p>Other dancers joined in, including&nbsp;Isadore Day, Ontario Regional Chief, in full&nbsp;regalia.</p> <p><img alt class="media-image attr__typeof__foaf:Image img__fid__3781 img__view_mode__media_large attr__format__media_large" height="453" src="/sites/default/files/2013-03-13-ISADORE-DAY.jpg" typeof="foaf:Image" width="680" loading="lazy"><br> <em>Ontario Regional Chief, Isadore Day</em>&nbsp;shared his dancing at the powwow<em>&nbsp;(photo by Hannah James)</em></p> <p><b><u>Honouring indigeneity</u></b></p> <p>The powwow celebrated indigeneity from around the world, including Aztec dancers.</p> <p>Master of Ceremonies&nbsp;Chris Pheasant said the Aztec dancers “brought the sun” with them to U of T.</p> <p><img alt class="media-image attr__typeof__foaf:Image img__fid__3770 img__view_mode__media_large attr__format__media_large" height="453" src="/sites/default/files/2017-03-13-AZTEC-DANCER.jpg" typeof="foaf:Image" width="680" loading="lazy"><br> <em>Aztec dancers were also part of the powwow&nbsp;(photo by Hannah James)</em></p> <p>Food vendors from popular Toronto eateries and catering companies including Nishdish Marketeria and Catering offering&nbsp;“First Nations cuisine”&nbsp;and Rick and Joanie's fresh squeezed lemonade were also at the event.</p> <p>The powwow&nbsp;concluded with a feast to honour all the special guests and students.</p> <p><img alt class="media-image attr__typeof__foaf:Image img__fid__3774 img__view_mode__media_large attr__format__media_large" height="453" src="/sites/default/files/2017-03-13-ISSU-GROUP_0.jpg" typeof="foaf:Image" width="680" loading="lazy"><br> <em>U of T's powwow student planning committee, including <strong>Julie Mogus</strong>, <strong>Trina Moyen</strong>, <strong>Grace Webster</strong>, <strong>James Bird</strong>, <strong>Jennifer Sylvester,</strong> <strong>Julie Blair</strong>, <strong>Olivia Miller</strong>, <strong>Joshua Bowman</strong>, <strong>Shirley Bryant</strong>, <strong>Zachary Biech</strong>, <strong>Priscilla Krebs, Shane Kelsey</strong>, <strong>Veronica Orozco</strong>&nbsp;(photo by Hannah James)</em></p> <h3><a href="/news/indigenous-student-leader-zachary-biech-one-faces-behind-u-t-s-grand-powwow-weekend">Read more about organizers</a></h3> <h3><a href="/news/for-us-by-us-students-organize-university-toronto-first-powwow-decades">Read more about the event</a></h3> <p><iframe allowfullscreen frameborder="0" height="500" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hzdGSAYAYy0" width="750"></iframe></p> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-home-page-banner field--type-boolean field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">News home page banner</div> <div class="field__item">Off</div> </div> Mon, 13 Mar 2017 21:00:49 +0000 hjames 105775 at New Indigenous studies expert uses song and dance to bring class to life /news/new-indigenous-studies-expert-uses-song-and-dance-bring-class-life <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">New Indigenous studies expert uses song and dance to bring class to life</span> <div class="field field--name-field-featured-picture field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="eager" srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/2017-02-10-Amos%20Key%20Jr.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=fWgOnx3Q 370w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_740/public/2017-02-10-Amos%20Key%20Jr.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=aV3G0P7A 740w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_1110/public/2017-02-10-Amos%20Key%20Jr.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=n0cm0ZV6 1110w" sizes="(min-width:1200px) 1110px, (max-width: 1199px) 80vw, (max-width: 767px) 90vw, (max-width: 575px) 95vw" width="740" height="494" src="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/2017-02-10-Amos%20Key%20Jr.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=fWgOnx3Q" alt> </div> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span>ullahnor</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2017-02-10T10:53:29-05:00" title="Friday, February 10, 2017 - 10:53" class="datetime">Fri, 02/10/2017 - 10:53</time> </span> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-cutline-long field--type-text-long field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Cutline</div> <div class="field__item">Assistant Professor Amos Key Jr. says he’s focusing on debunking the idea of a monolithic “culture” as a way to identify Indigenous people (photo by Hannah James)</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-author-reporters field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/authors-reporters/hannah-james" hreflang="en">Hannah James</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-author-legacy field--type-string field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Author legacy</div> <div class="field__item">Hannah James</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-topic field--type-entity-reference field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Topic</div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/topics/city-culture" hreflang="en">City &amp; Culture</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-story-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/indigenous" hreflang="en">Indigenous</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/centre-indigenous-studies" hreflang="en">Centre for Indigenous Studies</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/faculty-arts-science" hreflang="en">Faculty of Arts &amp; Science</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/trc" hreflang="en">TRC</a></div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Round and round the students go, dancing in a circle as their instructor leads them in a call and response song. No one gets left behind.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Amos Key Jr.</strong>, an assistant professor at the <a href="http://indigenousstudies.utoronto.ca/news/new-hires-in-haudenosaunee-language-culture/">Centre for Indigenous Studies</a> and department of linguistics,&nbsp;just joined the Faculty of Arts &amp; Science last summer. But &nbsp;already he's developed a reputation among students as someone whose classes you don’t want to miss.&nbsp;</p> <p>He shows his students some videos of Pow Wow competitions, pointing out his favourite dancer from Saskatchewan and aspects of the dancer’s regalia – a golden eagle visor, a bustle made of eagle wings, and a headpiece made of porcupine and deer tail.&nbsp;</p> <p>“My people are told that we’re dancing for the creator so you want to be as beautiful as you can for him, or her,” Key Jr says.</p> <p>“The class is great,” says&nbsp;student&nbsp;<strong>Harry Zhang</strong>.&nbsp;“The culture is fascinating,&nbsp;and I’m happy to get a chance to learn about Indigenous music.”&nbsp;</p> <p>Key Jr. is a member of the Mohawk Nation at Six Nations of the&nbsp;Grand River in&nbsp;Brantford, Ont. For more than 30 years, he has been an activist and educator who has been engaged on work to highlight Haudenosaunee peoples in Ontario.&nbsp;</p> <p>He also founded the First Nations Language department at the Woodland Cultural Centre in Brantford, where he continues to work&nbsp;today.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;As a teenager, Key Jr. travelled three hours by bus just to get to and from the high school, from his First Nations community.</p> <p>“I love education. I love people,” he says.&nbsp;“I was highly motivated, even then.”&nbsp;</p> <p>Key Jr. says he wants to see U of T become a leader in Indigenous research in Canada. &nbsp;</p> <p>“I’m encouraging our Centre for Indigenous Studies (CIS) at U of T to become a think tank,” he says.</p> <p>Through data collection and evaluation, he says, he’d like the CIS to keep track of data in order to keep some sort of “barometer for how well Canada is doing in its relationship with the First Peoples of this country.”&nbsp;</p> <p>Key Jr. says there are three themes he’s focusing on in his classes: debunking the idea of a monolithic “culture” as a way to identify Indigenous people, examining the role of colonial and traditional theology,&nbsp;and examining how Canadian law and practice applies to Indigenous people. He tries to keep the class engaging and reflective of Indigenous tradition.</p> <p>“Our music always includes dance,” he says.&nbsp;“We don't go somewhere to see someone sing in a concert. That's rare.”</p> <p>The classes he teaches at U of T include: “Politics and Process of Reconciliation in Canada”, “Indigenous Music: Technical and Theoretical Aspects” and “Special Topics in Indigenous Language.”&nbsp;</p> <p>“Amos Key Jr.&nbsp;has been engaged in work to highlight Haudenosaunee civilizations over a long period,” says <a href="http://www.provost.utoronto.ca/awards/uprofessors/current-professors.htm">University Professor</a>&nbsp;<strong>Keren Rice</strong>, chair of linguistics and interim director of the Centre for Indigenous Studies at U of T. “He is an activist who is highly regarded for the depth and breadth of his knowledge, his creative thinking, his substantial contributions to his communities&nbsp;and his ways of working with people.</p> <p>“He brings us the wisdom of an Elder, a love of teaching and learning, a sense of humour, and a drive to enrich his world. He&nbsp;brings a remarkable background to the ؿζSM.”</p> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-home-page-banner field--type-boolean field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">News home page banner</div> <div class="field__item">Off</div> </div> Fri, 10 Feb 2017 15:53:29 +0000 ullahnor 104732 at Truth and Reconciliation on Campus /news/truth-and-reconciliation-campus <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Truth and Reconciliation on Campus</span> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span>sgupta</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2016-06-03T13:58:04-04:00" title="Friday, June 3, 2016 - 13:58" class="datetime">Fri, 06/03/2016 - 13:58</time> </span> <div class="field field--name-field-author-reporters field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/authors-reporters/rachel-halpern" hreflang="en">Rachel Halpern</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-author-legacy field--type-string field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Author legacy</div> <div class="field__item">Rachel Halpern</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-topic field--type-entity-reference field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Topic</div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/topics/city-culture" hreflang="en">City &amp; Culture</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-story-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/indigenous" hreflang="en">Indigenous</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/trc" hreflang="en">TRC</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-subheadline field--type-string-long field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Subheadline</div> <div class="field__item">U of T committee reviewing implications of TRC's report for the university</div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>The injustices Indigenous people have faced throughout history have become a big focus for the Canadian government.</p> <p>The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) of Canada recently published <a href="http://www.trc.ca/websites/trcinstitution/File/2015/Findings/Calls_to_Action_English2.pdf">Calls to Action</a> outlining the ways the country can continue the reconciliation process and improve the future for all Indigenous people.</p> <p>The ؿζSM, having played an important role in the country and its history, is addressing the TRC’s Calls to Action as they apply to the university. &nbsp;</p> <p>This resulted in the creation of the <a href="http://memos.provost.utoronto.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/TRC-Terms-of-Reference.pdf">Truth and Reconciliation Commission Steering Committee</a>, co-chaired by <strong>Jonathan Hamilton-Diabo,</strong> director of Aboriginal Student Services at First Nations House and coordinator for the Council for Aboriginal Initiatives, and Professor <strong>Stephen Toope</strong>, director of the Munk School of Global Affairs. The other members of the Committee are Indigenous <strong>Elders Lee Maracle</strong> and <strong>Andrew Wesley</strong>; Professor <strong>Eve Tuck</strong>, OISE; Professor <strong>Brian Gettler</strong>, department of historical studies at the ؿζSM Mississauga; Professor <strong>Bruce Kidd</strong>, vice-president and principal at the ؿζSM Scarborough; Professor <strong>Keren Rice</strong>, department of linguistics in the Faculty of Arts &amp;Science; <strong>Dr. Lisa Richardson</strong> of the Faculty of Medicine; Hart House Warden <strong>John Monahan</strong>; students <strong>Diane Hill</strong> and <strong>James Bird</strong>; and staff member Jackie Esquimaux-Hamlin.</p> <p>“The government’s involvement is a really big step and brings much needed attention to this important matter,” said Hamilton-Diabo. “When we read the TRC report, we looked at what the university has already been doing, ways to enhance what exists, and how we can create additional programming and services. This is a great opportunity to increase the Aboriginal presence on all three of our campuses.”</p> <p>Five working groups were created to provide recommendations on the subjects of Indigenous curriculum, Indigenous students, Indigenous faculty and staff, co-curricular programming, and research ethics and community relationships. These groups may choose to conduct additional consultations with members of the university community.</p> <p>“Each working group has representation from faculty, staff, students and a member of the Aboriginal community,” said Hamilton-Diabo. “We are encouraging everyone to share their voice and submit their recommendations. Our goal is to making this as collaborative as possible and increase dialogue surrounding these issues.”</p> <p>Written submissions regarding implementation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action as they apply to the university can be sent to <a href="mailto:munkschool.director@utoronto.ca">munkschool.director@utoronto.ca</a> by October 1, 2016. All submissions will be reviewed by the Steering Committee and will help influence the Committee’s recommendations to the president and vice-president and provost. An interim report is expected by June 30, 2016.</p> <p>With the marking of Canada’s sesquicentennial, the university will also include Indigenous issues, research and themes as they pertain to the history of Canada and U of T.</p> <p>“With 150 years behind us as a nation, it’s important to understand our history as well as today’s culture,” said Hamilton-Diabo. “Reflecting on events of the past allows us to set a direction for a better future for the Indigenous peoples of our university and our country.”</p> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-home-page-banner field--type-boolean field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">News home page banner</div> <div class="field__item">Off</div> </div> Fri, 03 Jun 2016 17:58:04 +0000 sgupta 14197 at