Indigenous History Month is a time to celebrate, learn about and promote the beauty and diversity of the Indigenous cultures that have helped to build our communities. Our MacEwan community and staff at kihêw waciston have worked to build events that will bring us together throughout the month of June. I encourage you to take the opportunity to join in these events.

Our strategic vision Teaching Greatness recognizes our place in O-day’min and that we are partners in reconciliation committed to Indigeneity and inclusive excellence. This belief threads its way through our actions as a university.

This past year we have created new tenure-track cross-appointed faculty positions that teach in conjunction with kihêw waciston and we look forward to welcoming new cross-appointed faculty members each academic year going forward. Our vision to increase access to post-secondary education includes greater enrolment of Indigenous students in programs across our university. And we want to create a supporting and nurturing environment for their success. 

This month we will celebrate the convocation of the class of 2022, which includes 128 self-declared Indigenous graduates – almost six per cent of the class and a substantial increase over last year. I also look forward to our spring convocation ceremonies where we will welcome Indigenous artists and performers to help us celebrate our graduates. Our success as a community is connected to the growth and strength of our diversity and these are just some of the ways we are working to build inclusive excellence across our university.

A university has a unique opportunity to create space for dialogue, in and beyond the classroom. I am inspired by the opportunities I see every day for MacEwan to support and celebrate Indigenous culture, provide space for Indigenous learners and contribute to reconciliation.

I hope you’ll take the time this month to join in the celebrations.

Dr. Annette Trimbee
President and Vice-Chancellor