Toward Truth and Reconciliation: WUSA’s First Indigenization Action Plan

As we wrap up celebrating National Indigenous History Month, WUSA is proud to reaffirm our commitment to Indigenization, reconciliation, and decolonization and to announce our first Indigenization Action Plan. The plan is founded on these core commitments: 

• Decolonization: deconstructing and challenging colonial structures, systems, and ideologies.  
• Reconciliation: mending relationships damaged through historical and ongoing injustice. 
• Indigenization: integrating and honouring Indigenous knowledge systems in transformative ways. 

This plan reflects our dedication to honouring Indigenous knowledge and perspectives by embedding them in our operations as well as enhancing representation, and building partnerships to foster reconciliation, equity, and inclusion within WUSA and the University community. As we continue this journey, we acknowledge the ongoing need for learning, (un)learning, and accountability. 

Creating The Plan: A Multi-Pronged Process 

To create the plan, WUSA’s Advocacy team engaged in a variety of consultations and processes, including:  

• Reviewing and reflecting on the University’s commitments to Indigenization and adapting key elements for WUSA’s operations. 
• Researching the Indigenous strategic plans of other U15 schools. 
• Consulting with Elder Myeengun Henry, Indigenous Knowledge Keeper at the University, and the Office of Indigenous Relations. 
• Consulting Indigenous students at Waterloo to ensure their voices and experiences informed the plan.

Plan Goals: Creating Tangible Steps 

Aligned with Strategic Objective 2 of WUSA’s Long-Term Plan: Strengthen Student Trust, Voice, And Impact In WUSA, our Indigenization goals are grounded in creating a thriving culture of dialogue, participation, and critical engagement. 

Goal 1: Reconciliation 

• This includes carefully considering sponsorships, purchases, and partnerships based on mutually aligned values in supporting Indigenization and Indigenous communities, advocating for Indigenization of curriculums (including STEM) to the University, and integrating Indigenous components into Orientation. 

Goal 2: Services and Supports 

• This goal is all about increasing the supports WUSA offers to Indigenous students. This includes creating Indigenous spaces in the SLC and offering specific supports for Indigenous students 

Goal 3: Building Community 

• This goal focuses on building communities both on and off campus through events and other collaborations. 

For more details on our goals and actions, please see the full Indigenization Action Plan. 

Looking Ahead: A Living Commitment 

We are excited to continue to grow alongside the University community and find new ways to explore what Indigenization and reconciliation look like. It is a fluid, ongoing process that requires reflection, collaboration, and responsiveness to the needs and voices of Indigenous students. That’s why our plan remains ever changing as we discover new dialogues, challenges, and impacts in our journey towards truth and reconciliation. 

We thank the Office of Indigenous Relations and Indigenous Knowledge Keeper, Myeengun Henry for their ongoing work and support and look forward to continuing to work with them on our journey of Indigenization, decolonization, and reconciliation.  

Silvia Randazzo Carrie 

Communications Assistant