Sept. 20 to Oct. 4, 2024
Since 2021, the Office of Indigenization and Decolonization has hosted a series of institutional activities that have occurred annually from September to October. During this time, Mount Royal University (MRU) commemorates the signing of Treaty 7, National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, Orange Shirt Day and Sisters in Spirit Day, which is known as Journey to Indigenization.
The Journey to Indigenization aims to provide an opportunity to learn from one another through a series of knowledge infrastructural events. These events showcase the success and innovation in applying, linking and adding Indigenous concepts and epistemological changes to curriculum content at MRU. The knowledge and learning will be shared with students, faculty and staff.
Download this Journey to Indigenization Google Meet background.
Please note the following regarding events:
- respectfully engage with elders, internal and external mru speakers, staff, students and volunteers,
- registration is recommended,
- events may be recorded, and
- schedule of events is subject to change.
Wear an Every Child Matters orange t-shirt between Sept. 25 – 30 to show your support. T-shirts are available for purchase at the Cougars Campus Store. A portion of the proceeds goes to the maintenance & care of the white buffalo & MRU's Indigenous student emergency fund.
Support Indigenous writers. Purchase an Indigenous-written book from the Cougars Campus Store.
Materials by Indigenous writers and about indigenization and decolonization will be displayed on the first floor of the Riddell Library and Learning Centre and available to borrow. Discover more Indigenous collections and resources.
One of the numbered treaties made between the Government of Canada and the Plains First Nations, Treaty 7 was signed on September 22, 1877, by the following five First Nations: the Siksika, Kainai, Piikani, Îyârhe Nakoda and Tsuut'ina, as did commissioners representing the British crown and Canada.
At the time, the Canadian government was dedicated to building a transcontinental railway, and Treaty 7 permitted tracks to run across the Indigenous lands in what's now known as Southern Alberta.
Many Indigenous people say this was the beginning of the end of their traditional way of life and the start of a new way of life based on treaty cooperation and coexistence with non-Indigenous peoples. We are all treaty people.
Sept. 20
The flag raising ceremony commemorates the signing anniversary. We will raise the Treaty 7 Flag, in addition to the Survivors' Flag which was designed by Elders from the National Centre of Truth and Reconciliation. This ceremony inaugurates Journey to Indigenization 2024. The ceremony will include participation by Treaty 7 Elders and remarks from Dr. Chad London (Provost and Vice-President Academic). This event is open to all, with no registration required. It will proceed rain or shine.
Sept. 30 is recognized as the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation while recognizing Orange Shirt Day, honouring Indigenous people who survived residential school and commemorating the children who never made it home.
Sept. 20 – Oct. 4
Campus lit up in orange
MRU will light up the campus in orange to commemorate Orange Shirt Day.
Sept. 25
On Sept. 25, 2024, Mount Royal University took a significant step in advancing its commitment to indigenization and decolonization by signing the Buffalo Treaty, a historic collaboration among First Nations to rejuvenate and restore the buffalo population. The signing ceremony, hosted by the Kainai First Nation and the International Buffalo Relations Institute, took place in Stand Off, Alta., marking the 10th anniversary of this landmark agreement, and following three days of ceremonies, teachings and songs with new and past signatories from across North America and beyond.
Learn more.
Sept. 25
Ani to pisi is a creation story that came from the late Elder, Clement Bear Chief, from Siksika Nation. It has been shared and utilized at the leadership, macro and micro levels to create awareness and understanding that Indigenous creation stories are relevant in institutions such as MRU. We want to bring it to life by creating a human spider web and ani to pisi’s vibrations. It will run rain or shine, so come prepared. Join us in making the spider web come alive!
Sept. 25
Every Child Matters
Families, educators, BCST students and faculty are all welcome to join this event at 10 a.m. at the TransCanada Ampitheatre (rain location: Cougar Concourse). The event will include a book reading by Nancy Christophersen, large orange shirt painting on the stage floor and a closing circle activity. Please wear an orange shirt to show your support.
Sept. 26
Orange Shirt Exhibit
There will be four tables located throughout campus with an "Every Child Matters" poster for you to share your personal commitment to truth and reconciliation. The locations include: West Gate, Recreation Centre, Riddell Library, and Wyckham House. These posters will be displayed in Wyckham House during the week of October 1-4 to express support for truth and reconciliation within the Mount Royal community. You are also invited to the Iniskim Centre (T110) to enjoy a delicious cupcake and learn about the significance of Orange Shirt Day.
Sept. 30
National Day of Truth and Reconciliation at Arts Commons
Join Arts Commons for a full day of events that celebrate Indigenous ways of knowing and being.
The Elders Story Project will gather 30-plus Elders in ceremony at the Jack Singer Concert Hall stage at 6:30 p.m. where a selection of survivors will take turns telling their stories. For some, it will be their first time speaking their truth to a public audience. Reserve seating.
Sept. 30
Join the City of Calgary at 9 a.m. at The Confluence Historic Site & Parkland to commemorate residential school survivors and their families and commit to acting on reconciliation.
Enjoy presentations from various speakers, including the Mayor, Indigenous Elders and school board representatives. A blessing from an Elder will start the event and Indigenous dancers will entertain during. Learn more.
Sept. 23 – 27
National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation
Truth and Reconciliation Week is a national week-long program open to all schools across Canada brought to you by the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR). This year, our theme is Honouring Survivors. Registration is open for educator events and public lunch & learns.
Sept. 25 – 30
Wear an orange shirt
You are invited to wear an Orange Shirt. Orange Shirts can be purchased at the Cougars Campus Store.
The Office of Indigenization and Decolonization hosts a series of MRU faculty, student and staff presentations to showcase the indigenization and decolonization work happening in our faculties, programs, classes and/or communities.
Monday, Sept. 23
Tuesday, Sept. 24
Wednesday, Sept. 25
12 p.m.
Thursday, Sept. 26
Friday, Sept. 27
10 a.m.
Sisters in Spirit Day is a national movement by Indigenous women to raise awareness of the violence against Indigenous women, girls and two-spirit, and to take a stand against the violence that leads to Indigenous women, girls and two-spirits going missing or being murdered.
Oct. 2 - 4
Red dress exhibit
Inspired by Métis artist Jaime Black's ReDress Project, MRU will display red dresses around campus to show support for the lives of murdered and missing Indigenous women, girls and Two-Spirit People.
Oct. 4
Wear red
Everyone is encouraged to wear red clothes showing support to the families of murdered and missing Indigenous women, girls and Two-Spirit People.
Oct. 4
Sisters in Spirit Vigil and March
All are welcome to participate in Awo Taan Healing Lodge Society's 21st Annual Sisters in Spirit Vigil and March. Rally begins at 11:30 a.m. at Stephen Avenue Mall and 3rd St. S.W. Everyone will march to Olympic Plaza for official ceremony at 12 p.m.*
*This is a community-led initiative; MRU has no direct affiliation with this initiative.
