Office of Indigenous Engagement
The University of Regina’s Office of Indigenous Engagement serves the entire University community, including its three federated colleges, the First Nations University of Canada, Campion College, and Luther College.
Located on Treaty 4 lands, these are the territories of the nêhiyawak (nay-hi-yuh-wuk, Cree), Anihšināpēk (uh-nish-i-naa-payk, Saulteaux), Dakota, Lakota, Nakoda, and the homeland of the Métis/Michif Nation. Today, these lands continue to be the shared territory of many diverse peoples. The nêhiyawak originally referred to Regina as oskana kā-asastēki (os-kuh-nuh-kaa-us-us-tay-kih), Cree for “the place where bones are piled up." This is why Regina's nickname is "Pile O'Bones" and is the origin of the name Wascana Park, where the University’s Regina main campus is located.
The Office is a leader of Indigenization on campus and is responsive to and seeks direction from various partners and community members throughout Regina and the province of Saskatchewan.
An initiative of the Indigenous Advisory Circle’s (IAC) Strategic Plan and the University of Regina’s Strategic Plan, peyak aski kikawinaw, the Office works in five main areas:
- academic Indigenization
- Indigenous-centred research
- governance and administration
- student success
- community engagement
Core responsibilites are to:
- Provide leadership on Indigenization
- Support campus-wide Indigenization activities
- Coordinate the truth and reconciliation strategy
- Provide strategy and policy development related to Indigenization
Main activities include:
- Write policy on Indigenous-related matters
- Develop Indigenous-centred strategies
- Hold academic and cultural events related to Indigenous peoples and Indigenous-centred knowledge systems
- Provide lectures and facilitate workshops on Indigenization and Indigenous-centred research
- Build relationships with Indigenous communities throughout Regina, Treaty 4, and the province of Saskatchewan
- Assist faculty, staff, and students to build relationships with Elders/knowledge keepers
- Assist faculty with the development of Indigenized curriculum and teaching practices
- Assist faculty with the implementation of Indigenous-centred research methods, methodologies, and ethics
- Assist university staff members with the Indigenization of their work.
Buffalo Winter Count Robe
The Office of Indigenous Engagement is honoured to ceremonially welcome a traditional Buffalo Winter Count Robe painted by Elder Wayne Goodwill, a knowledge keeper from the Standing Buffalo Dakota Nation and one of the last known robe painters in the province. We offer the robe to be used as a teaching tool for classrooms and other groups on campus to help support the university to move forward on the path of reconciliation.
To book a Knowledge Keeper to speak about the Buffalo Winter Count Robe, please find the form here.