Continue our commitment to Truth and Reconciliation
TMU is committed to honouring reconciliation, decolonization and Indigenous ways of knowing, being and doing, in all aspects of university life, including curriculum transformation. Exploring how education at TMU can better prepare students to identify inequity, and practice and uphold equity, is at the core of the university’s Truth and Reconciliation and Standing Strong Task Force reports and recommendations. This includes reflection on systemic forms of inequity in higher education and public life.
TMU will work collaboratively with Indigenous faculty, staff and students to co-create programs and initiatives that support Indigenous students and cultivate and promote Indigenous SRC.
- Cultivate opportunities for Indigenous SRC to flourish at TMU.
- Work in partnership with Indigenous Peoples and community members to bring local knowledge and Indigenous approaches, methodologies and pedagogy into course design and continue Indigenous curriculum transformation for Indigenous education.
- Increase support for the recruitment, hiring and retention of Indigenous faculty and staff.
- Establish more pathways and access programs to bridge the gap between high school and university for Indigenous students, additionally addressing the existing barriers that prevent Indigenous student success.
- Increase support and resources for the outreach, recruitment and retention of Indigenous students.
- Integrate Indigenous pedagogies, experiential learning opportunities and Indigenous content and perspectives in our curriculum and develop new approaches for all students to learn about Indigenous history and settler colonialism.
TMU actively recognizes the specific treaty territories of our two campuses and the unique relationship the City of Toronto has with the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. Collaboration with Indigenous communities in Canada is a core component of creating an environment where Indigenous students have the tools they need to succeed. Access to education must be combined with ongoing, tailored support; this is a key part of the reconciliation process.
The university is committed to decolonization and is mindful of the harms that can be caused to TMU Indigenous community members and Indigenous communities when collaboration is approached with a settler colonial mindset. TMU aims to reduce these potential harms in the cultivation of partnerships on campus and with Indigenous communities through relationships built on mutual respect and trust. The university also aims to increase outreach and admissions activities in Indigenous communities.
Addressing the systemic barriers within our TMU community is essential. Progress towards truth and reconciliation is ongoing and includes cultivating practices that repair and give back to Indigenous Peoples. TMU is also committed to recruiting, retaining and supporting Indigenous students, faculty and staff and Indigenizing curriculum and SRC.
- Build and cultivate long-term, sustainable, community-based relationships and reciprocal agreements with Indigenous partners.
- Sustain our long-term commitment to the role of the TMU Elder and Senior Advisor, Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation to ensure there is Indigenous representation at the senior leadership level and that Indigenous knowledge and perspectives are embedded into the university’s culture.
- Partner with Indigenous communities and organizations to bring Traditional Knowledge Keepers to TMU as a way to expand Indigenous awareness and cross-cultural experiences.
- Expand and support experiential and community-engaged learning opportunities where students learn with, from and about Indigenous communities and support community-led projects.
- Address the barriers to providing support to Indigenous communities in SRC projects.
