UCalgary resources on Indigenous culture help create an informed workplace

The University of Calgary has a variety of free opportunities for faculty and staff to learn about Indigenous culture and gain a better understanding of the systemic racism and other issues facing the Indigenous population in Canada.

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada put forward 94 Calls to Action. Call to Action numbers 57 and 92 (iii) calls on organizations to “provide education on the history of Aboriginal Peoples, including the history and legacy of residential schools, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Treaties and Aboriginal rights, Indigenous law, and Aboriginal–Crown relations.”

“I encourage faculty and staff to engage these learning opportunities and understand the history of Indigenous people in Canada,” says Dr. Michael Hart, vice-provost Indigenous Engagement. “Individuals open to learning more will help move forward with the reconciliation process as individuals and members of the UCalgary community.”

Where to start?

Start your learning journey with the UCalgary Indigenous Strategy. Launched in 2017, the Indigenous Strategy ii’taa’poh’to’p is a key resource for the campus community to visit, reflect, and familiarize themselves with our collective journey toward reconciliation including our commitments,  responsibilities, and transformative recommendations.

Cool resources

What does reconciliation mean to me? Learn from others. Watch a series of two- to five-minute videos to discover a variety of ways in which individuals from across the campus engage in reconciliation. These videos are part of a research project that invited students, faculty, and staff to share their own stories about and commitments to reconciliation.

What is the key terminology in reference to Indigenous Peoples in Canada? The International Indigenous Studies program has put together a key terminology page for people who want to learn how to talk about Indigenous issues. Read more.

What is an ally? Allyship is the idea that people with privilege in the world, whether it's from race or socioeconomic status or simply being part of dominant or ingroups, can help promote and advance the interests of outgroups and marginalized people. Many traditional knowledge keepers refer to allyship in different ways, including the phrase ‘good relatives’. Take a listen. 

What are some recommended Indigenous education resources? Werklund School of Education has developed a website that provides academic staff, support staff and students with resources to help inform, inspire, and support professional development in Indigenous education. Learn more. Additional resources from Werklund include a list of Indigenous Literatures for Learning, called Books to Build On. 

What are some additional resources for improved practices in teaching and learning? The Taylor Institute Resource Library will offer Indigenous and non-Indigenous scholars, students, faculty, and community self-directed learning and support resources to help them develop an understanding of how to integrate Indigenous Ways of Knowing in the classroom. Learn more.

Online Learning

UBegin: The Story of ii’taa’poh’to’p: Learn about the development of UCalgary’s Indigenous strategy through the online self-directed e-learning module offered by Human Resources as part of UBegin. This course is open to faculty, staff and students. Register here.

UAdvance: Towards Reconciliation: Introduction to the History and Diversity of Indigenous Peoples of Canada: Take a deeper dive into the history of Indigenous Canada’s colonial past and its impact on Indigenous Peoples. This course provides a basic introductory level overview of the history and diversity of Indigenous people in Canada. Learn more.

Reconciliation Leadership Foundations: Cumming School of Medicine: This new program is for leaders interested in incorporating the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action into their work. This is a four-part virtual course and is open to those who currently hold leadership roles in Cumming School of Medicine or AHS. Learn more

Additional resources

For additional resources on Indigenous-focused credit and non-credit learning opportunities, please visit the Office of Indigenous Engagement , Writing Symbols Lodge Human Resource’s Campus Culture, Taylor Institute for Teaching and Learning, and the Indigenous Research Support Team.