President, senior leaders, meet with Indigenous student leaders
Today, President Barnard and members of the University of Manitoba senior executive team met with Indigenous student leaders to hear directly their perspectives on a number of issues of importance to Indigenous students and to the community more broadly. Also present was Jerry Daniels, Grand Chief of the Southern Chiefs’ Organization. The participants agreed to continue to meet to discuss topics such as inclusion and the representation of Indigenous voices in the University, anti-Indigenous racism, and promoting Indigenous languages amongst other topics of common concern, and to meet again early in 2019.
The importance of Indigenous knowledge and perspectives at the University of Manitoba is referenced explicitly in its Strategic Plan vision statement and throughout the Strategic Plan document. Within each strategic priority are Indigenous-focused goals and actions, and one priority speaks directly to “Creating Pathways to Indigenous Achievement.” Progress on the current strategic plan through its midway point can be found here.
In a statement earlier this month, President Barnard reiterated the University’s unequivocal condemnation of racism, stating there is no tolerance for hate and discrimination. President Barnard reconfirmed the University of Manitoba’s ongoing commitment to Indigenous priorities and to confronting racism and hatred. Last month, two events directly supported and attended by the President were held on campus to discuss related themes, and further events are planned.
President Barnard and his team extend their appreciation to the students for sharing their voices and thank Elders Wanbdi Wakita and Margaret Lavallee and Carl Stone for their guiding presence at the meeting.