Office of Indigenous Initiatives
The Office of Indigenous Initiatives (OII) at UTM works to mobilize University of Toronto’s commitments to Truth and Reconciliation as outlined in Answering the Call – Wecheehetowin. Following the recommendations of the report, the OII guides the University of Toronto Mississauga's efforts in amplifying Indigenous voices and Indigenous placekeeping on campus.
In addition to weaving Indigenous life and thought into the fabric of UTM, the OII serves as a resource to campus faculty and staff, who may consult the OII for help in integrating Indigeneity into student life, physical spaces, course curriculums, faculty research, and recruitment initiatives.
Consultations
The OII provides guidance to UTM staff, faculty, and librarians on how to advance Indigenous strategic initiatives.
Consult with the Office of Indigenous Initiatives
Placekeeping
UTM has dramatically expanded Indigenous spaces on campus. Many, like UTM's Tipi and Teaching Lodge, are available for booking.
Learn more about UTM's Indigenous spaces
All Nations Powwow
Every year OII connects with neighbouring First Nations to organize a Powwow at UTM's campus.
Media Inquiries
Our office looks forward to sharing more about our mandates and initiatives.
UTM Indigenous Centre
The UTM Indigenous Centre (IC) provides service delivery, programming, and support to Indigenous faculty, students, staff, and librarians. The IC works to build lasting and meaningful relationships with surrounding Indigenous communities. The IC also hosts gatherings and cultural programming for UTM's Indigenous members and provides a welcoming and inclusive space for future Indigenous students.
Presentations and Collaborations
Our staff is available to present on Indigenous themes, collaborate on projects, and take part in special events on campus
Connect with IC
Indigenous Student Support Specialist
Indigenous students can book a one-on-one session with our support specialist.
Book with the Indigenous Support Specialist
Events Calendar
All members of the UTM community are welcome to attend Indigenous-focused events across the university's three campuses.
See our Upcoming Events
Our centre very active on Instagram and would love for you to follow us!
Go to UTM_Indigenous Instagram
Upcoming Events
Spring Speaker series
Dr. Rishi Krishnamoorthy - Caste, Queerness, Indigeneity, and South Indian Learning Spaces
Wednesday, Apr 9, 2025 | 12–1 PM EST | ZOOM | Register HERE!
About this Faculty Talk:
Hindu-nationalism has pervaded the Indian political domain for over a decade, with Hindu-nationalist (Hindutva) ideologies infiltrating the social and cultural milieu since the country won independence against colonial rule in 1947. Central to the Hindutva ideology, is a claim to India as an originally Hindu land, with Hindu ways of knowing and being as ‘Indigenous’ to the people. This movement not only makes invisible the histories of minoritized peoples living in the sub-continent but also co-opts decolonial movements towards (majoritarian) religious nationalist aims. In this talk, I examine the ways in which Hindutva ideologies pervaded everyday seemingly neutral interactions in a rural school in South India. I will share the ways in which the cultural practices of caste-privileged and straight Hindu Indian teachers were privileged in and shaped learning spaces. In doing so, I offer a space to collectively think thorough the nuances of engaging in decolonial movements in education when arriving at this work from a queer South Indian positionality.
Register on Eventbrite here. Registrants will receive the Zoom link to the talk.
Towards Ethical Spaces of Engagement in Higher Education
This workshop introduces the ethical space of engagement (Ermine, 2007) as a practical framework for authentic dialogue and collaboration between groups with diverse worldviews. To illustrate its utility in higher education, we will explore a hypothetical interaction between a university program grounded in Western academic traditions and a First Nations community organization grounded within an Indigenous knowledge system.
Facilitator: Louis Busch, Special Projects Officer, Indigenous Curriculum and Pedagogies
Open to: Faculty, instructors, and staff
Date: Tuesday April 15th 2025
Time: 12:00pm to 1:30pm EST
Place: Maanjiwe nendamowinan (MN3230) – CDRS Large Collaborative Space
Note: Lunch will be provided.
To Register: https://forms.office.com/r/1EaWpz5TV9
Please register by April 11th 2025
Indigenous Student Graduation Celebration
Wednesday, April 30 4pm-7pm
Ceremony - 4-5pm
Multi-Faith Centre
569 Spadina Crescent
13th Annual Historical Gathering
Mississaugas of Credit 2025 Historical Gathering.
April 29 - May 1, 2025
Register here to attend the event
13th Annual Historical Gathering
Mississaugas of Credit 2025 Historical Gathering.
April 29 - May 1, 2025
Resources
Smudging on Campus
Consult UTM's smudging policy when planning an event where smudging may take place.
Land Acknowledgements
Learn more about the intentionality behind the University of Toronto's land acknowledgement and how to thoughtfully integrate it into planned activities.
Orange Shirt Day
Resources to help the UTM community honour the children who went to residential schools. The event takes place every year on September 30.
"Without truth, justice, and healing, there can be no genuine reconciliation. Reconciliation is not about closing a sad chapter of Canada’s past, but about opening new healing pathways of reconciliation that are forged in truth and justice."
—Final Report of the Truth and Reconciliation Committee, Volume 6: Reconciliation, page 7