Welcome to the 2024 National Building Reconciliation Forum

Aanii kina-goyaa gidinimikoonim

We are honoured to be hosting the 8th National Building Reconciliation Forum at Laurentian University in Sudbury, Ontario.  This conference is aimed at connecting First Nations, Métis, Inuit and university communities to create meaningful change in support of Indigenous education and implementing the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Calls To Action. The Forum will support participants in exploring critical issues related to education for First Nations, Métis and Inuit students and Indigenizing post-secondary institutions in response to the TRC Calls To Action. Indigenous education and reconciliation are core to Laurentian University’s Tricultural Mandate (Indigenous, French and English programs) and identity and we are honoured to host the Forum. We hope to imbed an understanding of what post-secondary institutions can do to advance the important work of reconciliation at universities across Canada. 

Laurentian University’s recent work in aligning with the TRC Calls To Action include opening of the award-winning Round Room in the Indigenous Sharing and Learning Centre (Canadian Wood Council Award).  The campus and facilities have trilingual signage which includes the Anishinaabe language throughout the university.  The Faculty of Arts offers land-based Anishinaabe language immersion 6-credit courses led by traditional knowledge keepers who are fluent language speakers. Currently, we are working with the Guinness Book of World Records to have Leland Bell’s woodland art entitled ‘Survival’ recognized as the largest woodland art acrylic on canvas which adorns the wall at Laurentian’s Fraser Auditorium.

We are excited to host this important event and welcome all participants to join us as we explore the themes of the Forum. The main theme will be “Indigenous Education and Mapping Out Institutional Spaces” and will include the following sub-themes:

• The Power of Storytelling: Crafting Compelling Narratives.
• Language and Culture: Elders and Cultural Practitioners in The Workplace.
• Cultural Diversity: Celebrating Differences and Building Bridges.
• Shaping The Future: Trends and Insights in Implementing Truth and Reconciliation.

 The Forum committee has also planned for participants to engage in one of three activities on the pre-conference community day; a cultural tour of Atikameksheng Anishnawbek First Nation or a cultural tour of Wahnapitae First Nation or a visit to Science North.

We look forward to welcoming and hosting everyone at the Forum on June 25-27, 2024. 

Miigwech,

Dominic Beaudry B.A., B.Ed., M.A.
Associate Vice President of Academic and Indigenous Programs.