ISCEI is thrilled to extend a special invitation to you for an afternoon with Billy-Ray Belcourt, this year's Writer in Residence.
Image Credit: Paunichea, Fishing Scene, 1963: McGill Visual Arts Collection
In 2015, Provost and Vice-Principal Christopher Manfredi convened a Task Force on Indigenous Studies and Indigenous Education, with the goal of identifying steps McGill must take to further the goal of reconciliation, and to prioritize Indigenous learning on campus. In 2017, the Task Force identified a series of Calls to Action that would support and build Indigenous initiatives at McGill and in the wider community.
The Indigenous Studies and Community Engagement Initiative (ISCEI) was created to aid in the development of some of the initiatives called for by the Task Force, especially in relation to the Faculty of Arts. These include language revitalization and documentation initiatives (Call to Action #34), the creation of a free-standing academic unit to house the Indigenous Studies Program (Call to Action #32), an Elder-in-Residence program (Call to Action #24), and Artist-in-Residence programs (Call to Action #25). We are committed to working with and supporting Indigenous students, Faculty, and staff at McGill University, as well as projects with Indigenous communities in Tiohtià:ke (Montreal) and beyond.
You can find more information about the TRC Calls to Action and ongoing progress updates on McGill's Indigenous Portal Website.
The Provost’s Task Force on Indigenous Studies and Indigenous Education is animated by two core themes: recognition of Indigenous history, contemporary presence, and ways of knowing and learning; and reconciliation by heeding the TRC’s calls to action, specifically through educational and institutional efforts aimed at redressing historical legacies of injustice and restoring relationships with Indigenous peoples. Click "Learn More" to find out more information on the Task Force and their objectives.