Equity, Racial Justice, and Indigenous Initiatives

Prioritizing Equity, Racial Justice, and Indigenous Initiatives: A Message from the Dean and Vice Dean of the Faculty of Arts

In the Faculty of Arts, the fostering of a welcoming, equitable, and antiracist working and learning environment is our guiding principle. Diversity in Indigeneity, race, ethnicity, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, religion, language, and disability is key to our excellence in learning, teaching, research, service, and community engagement. Systemic barriers that limit full participation and contribution of members from underrepresented equity-deserving groups must be identified and removed at regular intervals in order to secure a future for the Faculty that is equitable, just, and guided by the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

On 5 November 2021, the Interim Dean and Vice Dean of Arts committed to taking deliberate action towards dismantling the conditions that allow for structural oppression, white supremacy, and racism to persist. They hold the responsibility for advancing the priorities identified by the Arts community in May 2021 and share this responsibility with other Arts leaders, including Associate Deans and Chairs. Read their message here.