This is our advocacy

The UASU shall advocate for increased access to childcare services at the U of A.

Substantially complete. Winter 2021 saw significant improvements to student childcare access, as well as federal advocacy priority traction and childcare barrier reduction for elected positions.

The UASU shall increase advocacy for the implementation of mandatory Indigenous course content.

Perpetual priority. As one example, in September 2022 the University provided a requested inventory of this content at a course-by-course level across faculties, and committed to further progress.

The UASU shall continue to advocate for the building of the Maskwa House of Learning.

Perpetual priority. UASU Execs have brought this priority to operational budget meetings, the Board of Governors, and the provincial government, and secured much but not all of the necessary funding commitment.

The UASU shall engage in consultation with surrounding First Nations communities.

Perpetual priority. The UASU engages with local communities for events like the Residential School Memorial.

The UASU shall support relationship-building with surrounding Indigenous communities.

Perpetual priority. Staff and student leader involvement in TAWOW and regular KAIROS blanket exercises.

The UASU shall advocate for an increase in support for Indigenous student services on all campuses.

Perpetual priority. UASU Execs have advocated to the Board of Governors and the Senate. VP Student Life has brought this priority to working groups and advisory committees. President has secured relevant commitments from Office of the Dean of Students.

The UASU shall advocate for the creation of a dedicated Indigenous student gathering space at Campus Saint-Jean.

Substantially complete. Commitments secured in 2022/23.

The UASU shall increase its advocacy towards the federal government on issues of Indigenous post-secondary funding.

Substantially complete. Increased long-term federal advocacy has led to funding commitments and establishment of Indigenous representation at CASA.

The UASU shall encourage the U of A to conduct a renewed Indigenous Student Success Survey.

Substantially complete. At the SU's urging, the survey ran in Winter 2021, and the survey report became available during the 2022/23 school year.

The UASU shall advocate that all faculties provide Indigenous-specific advising positions.

Significant effort. Execs have repeatedly brought this issue to University administration and the Academic Restructuring Working Group.

The UASU shall advocate for a centralized website for all information pertinent to Indigenous students.

Substantially complete. The renewed Indigenous Initiatives website gathers all pertinent resources.

The UASU shall advocate that plaques be placed narrating art that depicts racist and colonial violence.

Significant effort. Executives have brought this issue to the Board of Governors, the Senate, and appropriate senior administration.

The UASU shall aid Aboriginal Student Council in securing a sustainable funding model.

Substantially complete. UASU now collects a fee from students to fund ASC (now the Indigenous Student Union (ISU)).

The UASU shall advocate for financial, housing, and job opportunities for Indigenous students.

Perpetual priority. Student advocacy has factored into increased funding in federal and provincial budgets. VP Academic advocated to GFC Executive Committee. SU played a role in Ancillary Services report on housing for students who parent.

The UASU shall advocate for increased accessible and online learning for off-campus students.

Perpetual priority. VP Academics have brought this issue to Admin, both before and during the pandemic. Quality of accessible remote learning is a core advocacy issue, leading to developments like 50+ hybrid lecture theatres.

The UASU shall advocate for the creation of a visual identity for First Nations students and alumni.

Significant effort. Research conducted. Issue raised with Senate and Board of Governors. Potential artists identified.

The UASU shall advocate for the creation and implementation of an Indigenous achievement strategic plan.

Substantially complete. Strategic plan fully available as of 2022/23.

The UASU shall write an open letter stating its condemnation of racism and discrimination.

Substantially complete. Letter was finalized and released.

The UASU shall advocate for campus services to offer programs or services in support of Indigenous students.

Perpetual priority. UASU Execs have raised this issue with Office of the Dean of Students regarding specific services.

The UASU shall advocate that Residence Services hire Indigenous students for Indigenous programmer positions.

Substantially complete. VP Student Life advocated to University administration, who resumed hiring FNMI students. UASU will revisit the issue if Residence Services repeats the error in the future.

The UASU shall encourage members of the Executive Committee to receive training on Indigenous Peoples in Canada.

Substantially complete. Developed Truth and Reconciliation framework, participated in KAIROS blanket exercises, added standing orders requirement for Execs to receive appropriate training in perpetuity.

The UASU should register its senior staff in the Indigenous Partnership Development Program (IPDP) or similar courses.

Substantially complete. Several core managers and other senior staff have taken training courses/workshops, completed the Indigenous Canada MOOC, and participated in KAIROS blanket exercises.

The UASU shall provide students the opportunity to learn about Indigenous Peoples in Canada through presentations, plaques, advertising initiatives, etc.

Perpetual priority. Co-development and implementation of relevant sessions for Week of Welcome.

The UASU shall raise awareness of positive Indigenous student experiences.

Perpetual priority. Collaborative events highlighting Indigenous student leadership, such as the renewed Indigenous Celebration Week.

(April 2023) The Speaker of Students’ Council shall complete the University of Alberta Indigenous Canada MOOC within the first two (2) months of their employment by Students’ Council. The UASU shall accept the credit or non-credit version of the MOOC. The Speaker shall be exempt from taking the MOOC if they have taken NS 201 or at least three (3) courses in the Faculty of Native Studies.

The 2023/24 Speaker has taken more than three NS courses.

(April 2023) Students’ Council and the Speaker of Students’ Council shall have an anti-oppression training/workshop within the first three (3) months of their term.

In progress.

(April 2023) The Executive Committee and all senior staff shall receive training on how to respectfully and adequately work with Indigenous individuals and communities every year.

In progress.

(April 2023) The Executives shall complete the University of Alberta Indigenous Canada MOOC within the first four (4) months of their term beginning. The UASU shall accept the credit or non-credit version of the MOOC, and shall allow executives to take replace the MOOC with NS 201 if they intend to take the course for credit in the upcoming academic year, so long as the course is completed and proof of completion is given to Students’ Council as an information item. Executives shall be exempt from taking the MOOC if they have taken NS 201 or at least three (3) courses in the Faculty of Native Studies.

In progress.

(April 2023) The General Manager shall complete the University of Alberta Indigenous Canada MOOC within the first three (3) months that these recommendations being passed in Students’ Council and provide proof to the Council as an information item. The UASU shall accept the credit or non-credit version of the MOOC.

In progress.

(April 2023) The UASU shall coordinate opportunities for staff (including the Council Speaker) to correctly pronounce the Cree language to respect our presence on Cree territory and Papaschase Cree land. If possible, Michif shall also be included.

In progress.

(April 2023) A blanket exercise shall be conducted to educate all staff every two years, and every year for the Council, the Executive Committee and the Council's Speaker.

Substantially complete. The renewed Indigenous Initiatives website gathers all pertinent resources.

The SU shall hire an expert to conduct an organizational review and provide recommendations for reconciliatory actions.

Perpetual priority. Established mechanisms for consultation and reviewing internal commitments.

The SU shall ensure adequate funding for elders and Oskapewsak.

Substantially complete. Funds allocated for honoraria and protocol.

The SU shall name a portion of rooms in SUB to acknowledge the ancestral space on which it sits.

Significant effort. Ongoing process requiring consultation.

The SU shall create a webpage to track its progress on these recommendations.

Substantially complete.

The SU shall create a Reconciliation Coordinator position.

Substantially complete. Hired a series of FNMI Initiatives coordinators who have developed and implemented the recommended leadership program.

The SU should increase transparency in regards to its work and advocacy.

Perpetual priority. Long-term public awareness campaign in progress.

The SU shall advocate for the inclusion of a session on Indigenous Peoples at New Student Orientation, Eastern Ascent, and Basecamp.

Substantially complete. NSO module first deployed as of Fall 2020; further programming developed and improved through various iterations. As of Winter 2023, work is also being done on programming specific to residence.

The SU shall incorporate Indigenous programming and performers into the Week of Welcome schedule each year.

Substantially complete. Indigenous performers included as of Fall 2020 WoW; ongoing work to include FNMI content in WoW consistently.

The SU shall hire more people who identify as Indigenous at all levels of the institution.

Perpetual priority. Public-facing research explored demographics of SU student employees. Reports to Senate and BoG highlighted UASU commitment to improving Indigenous representation among employees.

The SU shall create an Indigenous Student Success Award.

Substantially complete.

The SU shall create and incorporate a public framework around Indigenous student and community consultation.

Significant effort. Under development.

The SU shall explore the possibility of developing collaborative programming with Indigenous community partners and student groups.

Substantially complete. Extensive collaborative events highlighting Indigenous student leadership, including Indigenous Celebration Week.

The SU shall increase its level of programming targeted towards Indigenous students.

Perpetual priority. One example: the Indigenous Leadership Program.

The SU shall increase the prevalence of Indigenous art within its collection and create a mural in SUB.

Significant effort. An art committee for SUB is being created with Indigenous art as a priority.

The SU shall raise awareness of positive Indigenous student experiences.

Perpetual priority. Collaborative events highlighting Indigenous student leadership.

The SU shall make an informal agreement with Indigenous students outlining the SU’s promise to represent them.

Substantially complete. Ongoing relationship with Indigenous Student Union.

The SU shall maintain a unified Acknowledgement of Traditional Territory that will be used throughout the SU.

Substantially complete.

The SU shall create an Aboriginal Awareness Week.

Substantially complete. Indigenous Celebration Week redeveloped and conducted in Winter 2022 and Winter 2023, to be a recurring annual event.

The SU shall extend an invitation to Indigenous stakeholders to any meeting in which Indigenous students are discussed.

Perpetual priority. Execs have helped ASC secure seats at CFSS Committee and three subcommittees, the GFC Committee on the Documentation of Indigeneity (CDI), and various other University consultation bodies.

The SU shall create a policy surrounding smudging in SU buildings.

Substantially complete.

The SU shall collaborate with Indigenous elders on all relevant matters.

Perpetual priority. Practices of regular, appropriate consultation on major issues.

The SU shall conduct comprehensive research regarding the role that Aboriginality plays in leadership in student governance at the U of A.

Substantially complete. Public-facing report complete: 'Identity Matters 2: Diversity of Ancestry and Aboriginality.'

(April 2023) The Executive Committee and Core Managers shall volunteer at least once a semester with an organization that serves the Indigenous population in Amiskwaciwâskahikan. The FNMI Specialist will engage with these organizations to find appropriate volunteer opportunities, and these opportunities will also be made available to all staff. Sufficient staff resources will be made available to coordinate volunteering, and accommodations will be made to allow staff to volunteer. The FNMI Specialist will coordinate these opportunities towards the end of the Winter Semester to be undertaken during the Spring/Summer Semesters and the following academic year. The FNMI Specialist will choose whether or not to attend the programmed times.

In progress.

(April 2023) The UASU staff shall be allowed to attend Indigenous programming and events, including non-UASU-led programming and events. For instance, Round Dances, Indigenous Celebration Week, Indigenous Leadership Program, Residential School Memorial, etc.

In progress.

(April 2023) The UASU shall integrate more Indigenous culture, art, and communities in regular programming, such as during Week of Welcome.

In progress.

(April 2023) The UASU shall partner with schools in Amiskwaciwâskahikan and arrange programming for students to attend the UofA at least once per semester. Such programming can be shadowing in classes, lunches with student leaders, personalized tours of the UofA by students/UASU staff, talks, etc. Collaboration with other groups on campus is encouraged, such as First People's House.

In progress.

(April 2023) The UASU shall give Indigenous programming and initiatives the same attention, effort, and resources as non-Indigenous UASU programming.

In progress.

(April 2023) For all initiatives undertaken by the UASU regarding reconciliation, decolonization, and Indigenous programming in general, the UASU shall take on all financial responsibility, including any costs and honorariums associated with the events, programming, initiatives, etc. The UASU cannot ask Indigenous organizations or student groups to take on the financial responsibility (costs) for these initiatives. While these initiatives may be included within the FNMI Initiatives budget line, they would be additive rather than subtracting from the resources available to the FNMI Initiatives Specialist.

In progress.

(April 2023) Recommend to the Executive that they should amend future job postings to say that it will be considered an asset in hiring if applicants have completed the University of Alberta Indigenous Canada MOOC, NS 201, or have comparable training or lived experience. Per consultation, some additional funding will be required for some of these action calls. In collaboration with the UASU VPOF, these additional allocations shall be arranged.

In progress.

Students’ Council shall create a task force to delve into the structure of Students’ Council representation.

Substantially complete. Task force established, reports generated, governance restructuring ongoing throughout 2022-23.

The SU shall increase its presence in events involving orientation and events for Indigenous groups.

Perpetual priority. Consistent involvement with TAWOW, Indigenous Celebration Week, etc.

The SU shall expand the current TRC Political Policy to include issues outside the TRC’s Calls to Action.

Substantially complete.

CAC should strike a language translation task force to translate Bylaw 100 into Cree.

Significant effort. Complications have included bylaw reform, mandate issues, and availability of language speakers comfortable with translation. Will be reexamined after 2023 governance structure renewal.

The SU shall mandate that a KAIROS Blanket Exercise be a part of Students’ Council onboarding training.

Substantially complete.

The SU shall create two budget lines for Students’ Council to support Indigenous initiatives.

Substantially complete.

The SU shall edit its Acknowledgement of Traditional Territories to recognize that the U of A is situated on unlawfully stolen and unceded Papaschase Cree territory.

Substantially complete.

The SU shall amend its Acknowledgement of Traditional Territories to reflect the traditional names of the Nations mentioned in the acknowledgement.

Substantially complete.

Students’ Council shall create a Territory Acknowledgement Guide.

Significant effort. Successive attempts at progress, including partial drafting and consultation.

Students’ Council shall amend Bylaw 1500 to broaden the mandate of DIE Board to allow the Board to provide advisory opinions.

Substantially complete.

The Students’ Council shall create a Students who Parent Policy.

Significant effort. Drafting and consultation work; not finalized.

(April 2023) Governance staff shall arrange a sharing circle for Councilors (including Executives) at least twice during the Council’s term for continued reflection on reconciliation, decolonization, and Indigenization.

In progress.

(April 2023) GovCamp shall include a workshop where Students' Council shall compose their treaty acknowledgement for the year. A Councilor shall read out the acknowledgement at the start of each Council meeting. Each Councilor shall read the acknowledgement at least once during the year.

In progress.

(April 2023) The General Manager shall attend Students’ Council's treaty acknowledgement workshop during GovCamp. The General Manager shall read out the acknowledgement during the first council meeting of September and January each year.

In progress.