Val-d'Or, March 16, 2021 – The Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue (UQAT) is once again participating in the mobilization for the Awareness Week for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, which will be held under the theme "Together, united against racism", organized by the Val-d'Or Native Friendship Centre. UQAT has been an active participant in this movement since the beginning and is maintaining this essential partnership for this 21st edition, which has been rethought considering the current situation. "Although the context forces us to review the ways in which we create spaces for sharing awareness-raising messages related to multiple experiences and realities, it is nonetheless essential for UQAT to promote cultures and openness through awareness-raising actions and activities " says Francyne Dussault, director of the Val-d'Or campus.
Awareness campaign and virtual activities
Various training and awareness activities for the university community and the public will be held during the week. The School of Indigenous Studies will host Dr. Samir Shaheen-Hussain, assistant professor at McGill University's Faculty of Medicine., and Dr. Raven Dumont-Maurice, Quebec First Nations and Inuits’ Health Content Expert at McGill’s satellite campus in Gatineau, on March 22 at noon, for a lecture open to all entitled "Pour en finir avec le colonialism médical canadien".
Students will have access to online resources to learn more about various topics, including Indigenous realities. They will also be invited to join the movement by taking various actions, including walking 1.5 km in a small group by respecting the sanitary measures, as a sign of solidarity in the fight against discrimination and as a symbol of the Gabriel-Commanda Walk, which will not take place in its usual form.
It will also be an opportunity for the University to promote the arts, Indigenous cultures and cultural diversity within its institution by broadcasting informative content on its various platforms. Then, UQAT faculty members will be invited to participate in the training session "Le Story telling: une approche intéressante pour stimuler la motivation des étudiantes et étudiants universitaires autochtones" given by Eve Pouliot, associate professor in social work at the Université du Québec à Chicoutimi (UQAC) and Johanne Rocheleau, educational designer, and organised by the Service de pédagogie universitaire et de formation à distance.
In order to be able to count on well-informed staff that is sensitive to the issues of discrimination and racism, UQAT offers its employees the opportunity to take, free of charge, the two flagship training courses on Indigenous issues developed by its Continuing Education Service: PIWASEHA (First Light of Day): Aboriginal Cultures and Realities, which aims to provide a better understanding of the past and the realities of today, as well as Wedokodadowiin (Let’s Work Together!), a training more focused on intervention with members of the First Peoples.
A collective commitment to the fight against racism and discrimination
By joining this collective movement, UQAT wishes to reiterate its commitment to the fight against racism and discrimination, in particular by widely sharing its vision of openness and inclusion in the community. Through the implementation of the 2019-2024 Action Plan: UQAT and Indigenous Peoples, UQAT is focusing on strengthening partnerships with Indigenous peoples with the goal of bringing people closer together and improving knowledge of each other.
UQAT and First Peoples
Since its creation, UQAT has focused on equitable and inclusive collaboration with First Nations and Inuit and is committed, by virtue of its mission, in playing a role as an agent of change and to participate in the process of improving intercommunity relations. The University wishes to be a development player, notably by putting forward its expertise and unique approach. In addition, UQAT stands out by placing Indigenous students at the heart of its institutional mission by dedicating to them one of the five major issues of its 2020-2025 Development Plan.