Indigenous academic leaders gather in Regina

WATCH: The Hotel Saskatchewan hosted a special summit, which saw over 60 members of the Indigenous University Senior Leaders Association gather.

Indigenous leadership on university campuses across Canada was the topic of discussion at the Hotel Saskatchewan this week in Regina.

Tuesday morning saw more than 60 members of the National Indigenous University Senior Leaders’ Association gather in downtown Regina.

“Indigenous peoples have a unique relationship with Canada and the Crown, so there is that constitutional responsibility that universities have to Indigenous peoples,” said Jackie Ottman, who serves as the president of the First Nations University of Canada (FNUniv).

• Download the CTV News app to get breaking news alerts sent to your device

The members, many of whom are Indigenous senior leaders at their own respective universities, met at First Nations University to discuss the future of diversity equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, Indigenization, along with reconciliation action plans.

“One of the really interesting initiatives that we have underway is we’re looking to develop a guide to allyship,” explained Christy Bressette, the vice-provost and associate vice-president of Western University.

Bressette is one of many post-secondary educators who see the work that Indigenous people are leading – but would like to see more support.

Another focus of the day included Indigenous membership and citizenship in universities.

“We’ve had an identity form, we’ve got the guidance in place,” Bressette added. “Now we’re looking at how to implement the policy, how to grow capacity, how to develop a critical mass.”

Bressette is one of many who travelled from southern Ontario. She stressed the importance of knowledge transfer – and said she believes the next generation will be critical in preserving the environment.

“There’s so many people who are just dependent on us bringing Indigenous knowledge forward, because what we carry as Indigenous people is knowledge that can help save the Earth and safeguard the Earth,” she said.

Scheduled for the next two days, the National Building Reconciliation Forum will take place as a “collaborative initiative” hosted by FNUniv, the University of Regina and Universities Canada.