Building a vibrant community committed to anti-racism

A new strategy has been created to support UM’s commitment to equity and social justice as outlined in our strategic plan, MomentUM: Leading Change Together, and complementary to the Truth and Reconciliation Framework.

Anti-racism: Moving beyond acknowledgment toward meaningful, systemic change

UM student Sammi Oni calls anti-racism work at UM “essential.” She is in her third year of the finance and accounting major in the Asper School of Business.

She says the strategy is important to her because “it recognizes the everyday realities that racially-marginalized students navigate and commits to doing better. It pushes our community to move beyond acknowledgment toward meaningful, systemic change.”

Sammi Oni.

“It gives me hope that we’re building a university where inclusion isn’t just a principle but a practice.” – Sammi Oni, student

Oni is also a Fellow in Equity, Anti-Oppression and Social Justice, a student program offered by the Office of Equity Transformation. Her Fellows project focuses on supporting the development of Black Studies at UM and contributing to institutional work that advances equity and social justice on campus.

Oni says this anti-racism work gives her hope. It “helps shape a campus environment where belonging isn’t something you have to fight for,” she says.

“It gives me hope that we’re building a university where inclusion isn’t just a principle but a practice.”

A strategy to support our commitments to equity and social justice

The UM Anti-Racism Strategy sets an ambitious goal of combatting institutional racism and moving towards racial justice. It advances anti-racism and Reconciliation for transformative change and to foster a vibrant community.

Roy Albright Obah.

Student Roy Albright Obah is another participant in the Fellows in Equity, Anti-Oppression and Social Justice program. For his project, he is working with Human Resources in the review of the Employment Equity Policy.

He says, “As a Black international student, this work reassures me of the institution’s commitment to meaningful change and to ensuring that all students feel seen, supported, and valued. It affirms my confidence in UM’s efforts to address inequities in a practical and intentional way.”

Tina Chen, Vice-Provost (Equity), says that an institutional endorsement of the strategy is also a significant step at a time when some post-secondary institutions are shrinking away from anti-racism, anti-oppression and equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility (EDIA) work. Chen leads UM’s Office of Equity Transformation (OET), which oversees the strategy.

Learn more about the UM Anti-Racism Strategy The strategy is informed by past and ongoing work by many community members, including: Office of Equity Transformation, the UM Anti-Racism Task Force, Anti-Racism Policy Committee, Office of Human Rights and Conflict Management, and Rady Faculty of Health Sciences Dismantling all Forms of Racism Policy.

A commitment to ‘being the kind of institution our community deserves’

Michael Robertson is the current chair of the UM Board of Governors, which endorsed the strategy.

He says, “The Anti-Racism Strategy is an expression of the University of Manitoba’s commitment to being the kind of institution our community deserves — one where dignity and opportunity are shared by all.”

“The strategy moves us closer to the equitable, responsive university Manitobans expect and need.” – Michael Robertson, Chair, Board of Governors

Michael Robertson.

Robertson is a passionate advocate for equity and community service and sees the new strategy as integral to the university. A partner at Cibinel Architecture Ltd., he is an expert in Indigenous design and community development. In 2024, he was awarded the UM’s Distinguished Alumni Award in Community Service.

“This work matters deeply to me because universities only fulfill their mission when everyone can learn, teach and thrive without barriers,” he says. “The strategy moves us closer to the equitable, responsive university Manitobans expect and need.”

Vice-Provost (Equity) Tina Chen agrees. She says, “It’s important to be intentional and specific in taking meaningful anti-racist actions to dismantle systemic racism and to mitigate the harms caused by all forms of racism.”

She notes that the UM Anti-racism Strategy is based on enduring principles of human rights and is informed by community input and ongoing work done at the community level over many years. 

Amplifying the significance of racial justice for the entire UM community

Going forward, Chen says, “Our commitment to anti-racism and Reconciliation is a collective responsibility; all community members have a role to play.”

She adds, “We want to enhance the visibility of ongoing anti-racism efforts and provide a framework to continue this work.

“The strategy foregrounds shared humanity, equity, and care, as it calls people in through a focus on learning, dialogue and actions necessary to advance anti-racism at UM.”

Learn more about the UM Anti-Racism Strategy 

UM Anti-Racism Learning Framework

Earlier this year, UM introduced the Anti-Racism Learning Framework, a comprehensive educational pathway designed to support our community to participate in dismantling racism in all its forms.

As part of this commitment—and in alignment with provincial legislation—all UM employees are required to complete annual anti-racism training. The provincial anti-racism course, launched in April, is a foundational component of the framework. Faculty, staff, and student employees must complete the course no later than December 31, 2025.

Office of Equity Transformation (OET)

Find resources and opportunities to get involved and learn more about work being done by or in partnership with the Office of Equity Transformation (OET), which was established in 2023. The office supports UM’s commitment to accessibility, diversity and meaningful participation for all by providing leadership and coordination to address systemic inequities and to build community that’s rooted in equity.