Honouring Truth and Reconciliation at Hill Levene School of Business
The Hill Levene School of Business marked the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation with a series of activities that encouraged reflection, learning, and community building. These efforts supported ongoing work toward indigenization and creating space for Indigenous knowledge on campus.
Walking in Solidarity
The annual Smudge Walk, hosted by First Nations University of Canada, brought together the campus community and community partners. Orange shirts filled the University of Regina campus as a sign of solidarity. The community walked together to recognize survivors of residential schools and remember those who never made it home. The walk offered time to slow down, listen, and acknowledge the lasting impacts of these histories.
Reflecting in Action
In collaboration with Jada Yee, Rawlinson Executive in Residence in Indigenous Entrepreneurship, reflection walls were set up on the fifth and sixth floors of the Education Building. It was an opportunity for students, staff, and faculty to learn about residential schools, reconciliation, and the significance of September 30. Participants added personal calls to action on orange t-shirt notes, which covered the glass walls and demonstrated a shared commitment to continued learning.
Yee began his role as Rawlinson Executive in Residence in January 2025, bringing expertise in Indigenous entrepreneurship. A proud Levene alumnus and member of the Wood Mountain Lakota Sioux Nation with Chinese-Canadian heritage, he has over 20 years of leadership experience, including his role as Co-Founder at 7 Arrows Indigenous Consulting Group. In this role, Yee mentors students, develops programs for Indigenous learners, and collaborates with partners to advance Indigenous entrepreneurship across Saskatchewan and beyond.
Learning Through Tradition
Participation in the Glen Anaquod Memorial Tipi Raising Competition offered hands-on learning about Indigenous traditions and teamwork. The event honours the late Elder Glen Anaquod of the Muscowpetung First Nation and teaches cultural values through the practice of raising a tipi. Members of the Hill Business Students' Society—Capri Arnold, Emma Kingdon, Jan Ferrer, and Marc Eranista—and a Hill Levene team that included staff members Anne Lauf and Wyatt Hubbard, co-op student Matt Pacis, and Enactus Regina member Dhruvanshi Kalolia worked together under the guidance of Knowledge Keepers.
The teams learned the careful protocols involved in tipi raising, including the important lesson never to walk over the poles, and gained insight into the teachings behind each step. The activity strengthened community connections and highlighted the value of integrating Indigenous traditions into the learning environment.
These activities reinforced that indigenization is not tied to a single date. It grows through continued learning, meaningful engagement, and a commitment to weaving Indigenous perspectives into business education throughout the year. Indigenization is a key part of the Hill Levene School of Business strategic plan, reflecting the School’s ongoing dedication to integrating Indigenous knowledge, culture, and leadership into all aspects of its programs and initiatives.