The University of Winnipeg recently completed a special initiative to hire eight new Indigenous faculty members, and on March 12, they were celebrated with a welcome feast.
The University was honoured to have both the Hon. Renée Cable (BA 08), Minister of Advanced Education and Training, and the Hon. Tracy Schmidt, Minister of Education and Early Childhood Learning join the celebration. Minister Cable spoke about her time at UWinnipeg and the importance of the Indigenous hiring initiative.
New Indigenous faculty members Christy Anderson, Dr. Kristen Desjarlais-deKlerk, Robert Hamilton, Ashley Hayward, Dawnis Kennedy, Danika Billie Rose Littlechiled, and Aandeg Muldrew each spoke about their journeys to higher education in general and to UWinnipeg (Dr. Derrick M. Nault was unable to attend). They spoke with wit, humour, and heartfelt resolve about their learnings, teachings, and future work. You can learn about each of these faculty members by reading their bios online.
The addition of these eight exceptional scholars further enhances the University’s diverse academic community. “As a university committed to Indigenization and decolonizing practices and methodologies, the hiring process was centered in community and relationship, working closely with our AVP, Indigenous Engagement, Indigenous Student Services Centre, faculty, Deans, and staff,” said Dr. Pavlina Radia, Provost and Vice-President, Academic. “An essential part of Reconciliation is ensuring that Indigenous faculty are amply represented and supported at post-secondary institutions.”
These tenure-track positions are in the Departments of Indigenous Studies, Criminal Justice, Business & Administration, Anthropology, Environmental Studies and Sciences, Master’s in Development Practice, and Kinesiology.
“We are thrilled to welcome to the UWinnipeg community each of these Indigenous scholars who are undertaking vital work in their respective fields,” said Dr. Chantal Fiola, Associate Vice-President, Indigenous. “Bringing a wealth of experience and knowledge, they are sure to enrich the collective contributions to society made by UWinnipeg. Likewise, the UWinnipeg community is eager to uplift the voices and efforts of these fine scholars.”
