Supporting Indigenous Spaces and Cultural Practices
Our Goal: Supporting Indigenous Spaces and Cultural Practices
To provide a culturally safe, supportive, and inclusive learning environment for Indigenous students at UC.
Original Recommendations:
All renovation, new construction, residences and other community spaces should support Indigenous cultural practices such as smudging
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Actions completed
Since September 2024, UC community members have been able to smudge in UC buildings, including residence rooms and event spaces. The college actively participated with the Office of Indigenous Initiatives, Fire Prevention Services and Facilities & Services U of T to accomplish this goal.
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Ongoing actions
Planning is underway to repurpose the industrial kitchen space in Whitney Hall for student life activities, including Indigenous culture-based programming and community-building initiatives. This space is underutilized but has great potential to meet Indigenous community needs.
Consideration of Indigenous cultural practices is part of the college’s routine use of spaces.
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Next steps
Develop a ceremonial policy that enshrines Indigenous student, staff, and faculty’s right to practice their culture throughout the UC campus.