Office of Indigenous Engagement
Speakers Series & Forums
Indigenous Speakers Series
In fall 2016, the Office of Indigenization created the Indigenous Speakers Series, which it runs in partnership with the First Nations University of Canada. This public series showcases Indigenous and non-Indigenous artists, activists, researchers, scholars, writers, and community leaders who work to empower Indigenous peoples and their communities. To date, speakers have included:- Harold Johnson (Montreal Lake Cree Nation) who spoke about his book Firewater: How Alcohol is Killing My People;
- Alanis Obomsawin (Abenaki Nation) who spoke about her career as an Indigenous, female documentary maker;
- Corey O’Soup (the Key First Nation), Advocate for Children and Youth, who gave a lecture entitled, “Addressing Redressing the High Number of Indigenous Children in Care”; and,
- Judy Hughes (Metis), President of the Saskatchewan Aboriginal Women’s Circle Corporation, whose talk was titled, “A Path Forward: The National Inquiry for Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and Girls.”
- Randy Lundy (Barren Lands Cree First Nation), author of Under the Night Sun (1999) and Gift of the Hawk (2004), provided a poetry reading of his latest work, Blackbird Song (2018).
Cultural Protocols Series
In winter 2018, the Office of Indigenization created the Cultural Protocol Series, which focuses on traditional and cultural Indigenous-based teachings, such as the protocols of giving tobacco and smudging. The public series supports students, faculty, and staff’s learning so they might appropriately and authentically engage with Indigenization activities. The Cultural Protocols Series also invites communities from off-campus to build relationships with and learn along-side the University of Regina community.Academic Indigenization Forum
The Office of Indigenization offers an annual Academic Indigenization Forum each winter to explore various aspects of Indigenization. It is an Elder-led professional development conference that brings together multiple expert voices on Indigenization, including knowledge keepers, students, community leaders, and faculty members. This conference is built on a collaborative framework to promote partnership building, knowledge, and capacity building.