The Building Reconciliation Forum advances the work of universities in response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action.
The first Building Reconciliation Forum was hosted in 2015, in part as a response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action. Since, the forum has been hosted by different universities across the country to meaningfully engage with local communities and facilitate conversations about strengthening Indigenous education, building Indigenous leadership capacity, advancing Indigenous research and promoting Indigenous governance at universities.
The Forum actively engages participants in workshops, presentations and conversations centered around reconciliation within post-secondary education. This annual event brings together university presidents and administrators, Indigenous faculty and community leaders, government decision makers, researchers and students to share ideas and, ultimately, bolster Indigenous education and reconciliation efforts on Canadian university campuses.
Passage of ceremonial items
A significant and meaningful moment at the start of each Building Reconciliation Forum involves the passage of ceremonial items from one Forum host to the next. Once received, the ceremonial item remains with the host university until the next Building Reconciliation Forum. The most recent host university then offers a new item to be presented at the next Building Reconciliation Forum.
Building Reconciliation Forum 2024
June 25-27, 2024, Sudbury, ON
The Forum connects First Nations, Métis, Inuit and university communities to create meaningful change in support of Indigenous education and implementing the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action.
Indigenous Education and Mapping Out Institutional Spaces
Aanii kina-goyaa gidinimikoonim
Hosted by Laurentian University, Universities Canada’s annual Building Reconciliation Forum will take place in Sudbury, Ontario, from June 25 to 27, 2024.
The Forum connects First Nations, Métis, Inuit and university communities to create meaningful change in support of Indigenous education and implementing the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action.
In addition to addressing the Forum’s main theme, presenters cover four related subthemes:
- 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
Laurentian University acknowledges the Robinson-Huron Treaty of 1850. Laurentian University is located on the traditional lands of the Atikameksheng Anishnawbek and that the City of Greater Sudbury, also includes the traditional lands of the Wahnapitae First Nation. We extend our deepest respect to Indigenous peoples – as a sign of our continued relationship we will support Laurentian University’s Truth and Reconciliation Task Force Recommendations. Miigwech.
Forum Reports
Education for Reconciliation: Rebuilding Stronger and with Intentionality
Hosted in Western University’s Wampum Learning Lodge, the 2023 Building Reconciliation Forum took place from June 27 to 28, 2023. View report.
Falling into step with First Peoples students
The 2021 Building Reconciliation Forum took place from September 21 to 23, 2021, virtually hosted by the Université du Québec network and the Université Laval. View report.
Working Together to Advance Healing & Reconciliation
The 2019 Building Reconciliation Forum was jointly hosted by Shingwauk Kinoomaage Gamig, Nipissing University, Cape Breton University, the University of Northern British Columbia and Algoma University from October 9 to 10, 2019. View report.
Ts’its’u’ watul tseep: Helping One Another
On February 15 and 16, 2018, the University of Victoria hosted the Building Truth and Reconciliation Forum at the Songhees Wellness Centre in Esaquimalt and on the UVIC campus. View report.
1st Annual Building Reconciliation Forum
The first Building Reconciliation Forum was held at the University of Saskatchewan on November 18 and 19, 2015. View report.
