UMSU hopefuls talk mandatory indigenous studies requirement
With the University of Winnipeg introducing a mandatory indigenous studies course this fall, all eyes are on the University of Manitoba. The topic has been…
Indigenous
Mayor Brian Bowman set to speak at Asper school of business
The Association of Aboriginal Commerce Students (AACS) has tapped Winnipeg mayor Brian Bowman to address the fourth and final instalment of its speaker series on Feb. 29.
Aboriginal History Month: essential, unknown
February is Black History Month. During February we reflect on the historical treatment of black people, who were taken from their homeland and carted across the Atlantic and, for those who survived the voyage, sold into slavery. That was just the beginning of the ill treatment of black people in North America, which continued well past the abolition of slavery and is still very much present today.
During Black History Month, we are encouraged to read books and watch movies that teach about the struggles that black people faced, and to reflect on and celebrate the accomplishments they have fought hard to achieve, such as the right to vote, access to education, and the desegregation of public spaces
University of Manitoba debates mandatory indigenous course requirement
The University of Manitoba is taking steps to meet its strategic goals and expand indigenous education into every faculty and discipline.
Arts Student Body Council condemns behaviour of UMSU president
The University of Manitoba Arts Student Body Council (ASBC) came out swinging last week against the behaviour of University of Manitoba Students’ Union (UMSU) president Jeremiah Kopp.
Inuk artist Tanya Tagaq connects art with personal experience
Artist, activist, and traditional Inuk throat singer Tanya Tagaq addressed a full house at St. John’s College’s annual Marjorie Ward Lecture on Jan. 25, drawing a connection between her work and her heritage.
Systemic racism, dispossession still with us
In a recent CBC interview, Howard Sapers, the Correctional Investigator of Canada, outlined some of the most recent statistics on prison populations and incarceration rates in Canada. They show dramatic increases in the number of Aboriginal people incarcerated in Canada, which can only be described as proof of the systemic racism inherent in our country’s judicial system.
25 per cent of the incarcerated population in federal correctional facilities are of Aboriginal ancestry. In the Prairie provinces, this rises to 48 per cent. When looking at Aboriginal women independently, over 36 per cent of women in Canadian prisons are of Aboriginal ancestry.
These numbers are staggering, but even more so when compared to the statistics from previous years. To put this into perspective, Aboriginal people made up 4.3 per cent of Canada’s population in 2011 (the year of the last census).
UMSU motion calls for more indigenous representation at university
At the final University of Manitoba Students’ Union (UMSU) council meeting before the winter break, the union passed a motion endorsing increased involvement for indigenous students in decision-making processes at the University of Manitoba.
Post-secondary institutions in Manitoba prioritize indigenous education
Excellence in indigenous education became a priority for all post-secondary institutions and public school boards in Manitoba as they came together to sign the Manitoba Collaborative Indigenous Education Blueprint in December.
The need for a mandatory course in indigenous studies
Quite a bit of discussion has been happening about the prospect of introducing a mandatory indigenous studies course into university curriculums across Canada – including at the University of Manitoba.
Pressure to make an indigenous studies course mandatory stems from the historic Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) report. In this report, there are calls to action for Canada to implement in order to “redress the legacy of residential schools and advance the process of Canadian reconciliation.”