URise Indigenous
Enrich and enhance learning, engagement, awareness, and understanding of First Nations, Inuit, and Metis peoples, identities, worldviews, and cultures, increasing intercultural capacity.
URise Indigenous is intended to enrich and enhance your engagement and understanding of First Nations, Inuit, and Metis peoples, including their identities, worldviews, and cultures. By participating, staff and faculty are invited to learn, reflect, and enhance their understanding of Indigenous ways of connecting, knowing, being, doing, and furthering their understanding of truth and reconciliation, Indigenous-Settler relations, history, Indian Act policy, anti-Indigenous racism, connection to the land, and the interwoven relationships among place and people.
URise Indigenous is suitable for all employees at any stage of their career
Core Courses
The Story of ii' taa'poh'to'p
This course will introduce learners to the history and content of our Indigenous Strategy, ii' taa'poh'to'p, guiding our way forward 'in a good way' on the path towards reconciliation in response to the 2015 Final Report on Truth and Reconciliation. This course includes the following topics: Territorial Acknowledgement, What Is Reconciliation?, Our Journey, Guiding Principles, Conceptual and Cultural Models, Looking to the Future, and Resources.
Beginning the Journey Towards Reconciliation
The introductory level session provides an overview of the diversity of Indigenous people in Canada. The topics covered in this session provide information on terminology related to Indigenous peoples and the concept of reconciliation, explore common misconceptions, and offer an opportunity for participants to learn more about and consider the effects of colonization and the impact of residential schools.
Land Acknowledgment
The Land Acknowledgment workshop invites the UCalgary community to learn how to create a meaningful Land Acknowledgment. Participants will explore the history of Land Acknowledgments in academia, practice pronouncing Indigenous languages in the Territorial Acknowledgment, learn how Indigenous peoples recognize the land, and receive practical tips with time for Q&A. By the end, participants will deepen their understanding of Indigenous cultures and history in Treaty 7 and feel more confident in offering a thoughtful Land Acknowledgment.
Optional Courses
Indigenous Strategy Tipi Training
The Office of Indigenous Engagement cares for the ii' taa'poh'to'p Tipis: a large Teaching and Learning Tipi and a smaller Ceremonial Tipi. Gifted by Piikani Elder Dr. Reg Crowshoe in 2018, the Tipis bring Indigenous ways of knowing into campus activities and create ethical space for respectful dialogue and relationship building.
The Tipi Training Program, led by Treaty 7 Traditional Knowledge Keepers, teaches participants how to properly raise and take down the Tipis in the traditional Blackfoot way. The training covers cultural protocols, care practices, and the history and significance of these sacred lodges to ensure they are used safely and respectfully.
Anti-Indigenous Racism Series
The Anti-Indigenous Racism Workshop is a step in addressing this barrier while establishing a welcoming, inclusive, and culturally safe campus community for Indigenous peoples. First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples continue to be negatively impacted by racism and are significantly underrepresented in higher education across Turtle Island. One of the main institutions that perpetuates racism towards Indigenous peoples is education and is a barrier they continue to face. This is concerning and as Canadian universities and colleges respond to reconciliation, there is an urgent need to address racism and strategically move into potential solutions to address this barrier for Indigenous peoples. Removing the barrier of racism is needed to increasing and empowering recruitment, retention, and achievement for Indigenous peoples in higher education.
What You Can Explore Next
Exploring more Indigenous ways of connecting, knowing, being, and doing can deepen your understanding of truth and reconciliation, relationships, history, land, and community.
Professional Development Hub
Ready for more? Visit the PD Hub for additional Professional Development opportunities.
Towards Truth and Reconciliation Certificate
This certificate builds understanding of Indigenous ways of knowing to support respectful relationships and guide organizational practices and community engagement.
Office of Indigenous Engagement
The Office of Indigenous Engagement and ii' taa'poh'to'p guide UCalgary on its path of transformation, and communicate its commitment and responsibility for truth and reconciliation.
Contact & Support
Our programs are managed by a range of faculties, departments, and external partners, each with their own dedicated team. Connecting directly with the right contact is the quickest way to get the help you need. For more specific support, see the resources below.