September 30 marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, which was established in response to Call to Action 80 of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s final report. A 2023 report by the Yellowhead Institute provided an update on the status of the Calls to Action and found that of the 94 Calls to Action, 81 Calls remain unfulfilled.
To quote Prof. Vanessa Watts (Watts, Vanessa), Acting Chair of the Indigenous Studies Department, Associate professor of Indigenous Studies and Sociology, and Acting Co-chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Communications Committee at McMaster.
“National Day for Truth and Reconciliation allows us to acknowledge the truths of Canada’s colonial history, while also amplifying the strength and resilience of Indigenous peoples. It is a time to support survivors, honour their stories, and envision a more just future built in partnership.” (Daily News, 10 Sep. 2025)
All classes will be cancelled but the University will remain open for faculty and staff. Please encourage colleagues and students to join you in participating in the rich series of events and displays have been scheduled throughout September and early October. Some resources and work taking place in the Faculty of Science can be found under the “Indigenous at Mac” tab of the EDII website.
Several events have been scheduled in the community on September 30. The Woodland Cultural Centre will host the official Reopening of the Mohawk Institute Residential School, an invaluable and indelible testament to honouring, remembering and learning the truth about the residential school system. The detailed schedule can be found here.
The AD EDII and AD Academic were invited by Prof. Dawn Martin-Hill and Karen Wright, Administrator, Indigenous Initiatives to attend the meeting of the Indigenous Education Council on November 29th, 2023. The meeting comprised members of the IEC and guest, Provost Tighe. This invitation followed discussions with Prof. Martin-Hill, the AD EDII and the AD Academic about potential pathways to formalise partnerships and collaborations with Indigenous students and scholars, as well as participation in a meeting with the leaders and members of Six Nations Polytechnic.
The land-based workshop was led by Chelsey Bouchard and hosted by the Indigenous Land Advisory Committee.
Chelsey Bouchard (she/her, they/them) is a sous chef, artist and apprentice hide tanner. Chelsey grew up in Six Nations and often visited her maternal grandfather’s community of Gull Bay on Lake Nipigon growing up. Chelsey is raising two young boys who inspire her to pick up her responsibilities as Tyonnhehkwen Ohkwáho niwaki’taró:ten / Wolf Clan. The workshop was held in a sequence of three days, December 18th – 20th 2023, in the backyard of the Indigenous Studies Department (LR Wilson Hall), and was open to students, staff and faculty. Rosa da Silva, Ben O’Connor and Kalai Saravanamuttu attended one of the sessions. Chelsey kindly donated some moose and deer hair, and students in the Saravanamuttu group will examine their microstructure.
Maggie Cockburn, Aaron Parry and Kalai Saravanamuttu were invited by Karen Knott, on behalf of the Indigenous Ecological Knowledge team at McMaster University to the D?dwasnyeha` Dwano:ha` Ohw?jade “We Will Take Care of Mother Earth” Traditional Ecological Knowledge Summit in Six Nations of the Grand River Territory on March 6th, 2024. The goal of the summit was to promote dialogue between conservationists and Indigenous people and guide and inform ecological restoration.
On June 4th, 2024 Members of the Office (Maggie Cockburn, Aaron Parry and Kalai Saravanamuttu) and Associate Dean (Academic) Rosa da Silva attended the “Creating Pathways – Indigenous Youth in STEAM” day-long event organized by the Indigenous Education Council. We were honoured to have been invited by Prof. Dawn Martin-Hill and Karen Knott, Administrator, Indigenous Initiatives, Indigenous Education Council. A second Think Tank was held Think Tank on September 20th at Six Nations Polytechnic.
We have also established connections with Indigenous Student Services, participating in their Gaodadeihwahni:ya:s Transition Program, and considering opportunities for partnership with our MePLUS outreach programme. Other projects and events – such as the Art Installation by Natalie King – are part of the Faculty’s ongoing efforts to advance Indigenous knowledge, wisdom and culture.