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Victoria College
What's Happening / Campus (Re)Conciliations Conference

Campus (Re)Conciliations Conference

Mar. 21, 2024 8:30a.m. - 4:30p.m.

Register Here

The Office of the Dean of Students at Victoria University is pleased to invite you to our Eighth Annual Campus (Re)Conciliations: Indigenous Issues in Higher Education Conference.

Where: Alumni Hall, Victoria College Building. 

About this Event: The theme for this year's Campus (Re)Conciliations event is “Intersections of Art, Space, and Place.”

Since 2017, this innovative gathering has brought together scholars, educators, artists, activists, students and community members to consider indigenous experiences and the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission within the academic landscape.

At the intersections of art, space and place, we confront the ongoing challenges and opportunities for Indigenous representation, inclusion and belonging within the university.  Discussion topics will include the role of art as a tool for cultural preservation, architecture as a political tool, and reimagining academic spaces as sites of Indigenous knowledge. 

 Attendees will engage in thought-provoking discussions, workshops and presentations while enjoying food and challenging conversations together.

Conference Program

Time Event Speaker
8:30 – 9:00 a.m. Registration and light breakfast   
9 – 9:15 a.m. Opening
  • Dorothy Peters, Elder and Traditional Teacher, Victoria University Advisory Circle 
9:15 – 9:20 a.m. Land Acknowledgment
  • Elena Ferranti, Communications and Ideas for the World Coordinator
9:20 – 9:45 a.m. Welcome Remarks
  • Kelley Castle, Dean of Students, Victoria University, co-host 
  • Jonathan Hamilton-Diabo, June Callwood Professor in Social Justice, Special Advisor on Indigenous Issues, Victoria University 
9:45 – 11:00 a.m. Creating Indigenous Spaces with Purpose, Intention, and Community
  • Shannon Simpson, Senior Director, Office of the Vice President and Provost and Office of the Vice President People Strategy, Equity and Culture, U of T 
  • Michael White, Director, Indigenous Student Services, First Nations, U of T 
  • Kelly Crawford Assistant Director, Indigenous Initiatives UTSC  
11 – 11:15 Break a.m.    
11:15 – 12:15 p.m. Truth and Community through Art, Design and Spaces
  • Chef Johl Whiteduck Ringuette, Chef and owner of Nishdish marketeria & catering, Anishinawbe food sovereigntist and public speaker 
12:15 – 1:15 p.m. Lunch Break, provided by Dashmaawaan Bemaadzinjin  
1:15 – 2:15 p.m. Students' Panel - Personal and Academic Journeys through Art, Space, and Place
  • Sandi Wemigwase (moderator), Special Projects Officer, Indigenous Research at Office of Indigenous Initiatives 
  • Alexis Bornyk, International Development Specialist student 
  • Giselle Del Valle, Psychology and Health Sciences student 
  • Julien Todd, John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape and Design student 
  • MJ Singleton, Psychology and Criminology student 
2:15 – 2:30 p.m. Refreshment Break   
2:30 – 4:00 p.m. Sending Out a Call: Encounters and Activations
  • Trina Moyan – Artist and Activist 
  • Jill Carter - Associate Director, Graduate, Centre for Drama, Theatre and Performance Studies  
3:45 – 4:30 p.m. Collective Conversation
  • Wrap-up discussion with Jill Carter, Johl Whiteduck Ringuette and Trina Moyan over a buffet of NishDish specialties.