Office of Indigenous Affairs

The land on which the 69传媒 (UPEI) is located is Epekwitk, the traditional and current territory of the Mi鈥檏maq People of this region. Epekwitk, which is the Mi鈥檏maq name for the area now known as Prince Edward Island, is one of seven traditional Mi鈥檏maq regions in Mi鈥檏ma鈥檏i (the ancestral lands that comprise Atlantic Canada, and parts of eastern Quebec and Maine).

69传媒is committed to advancing reconciliation through higher education. As a community, our University has started a journey of growth to realize the role we must play in promoting an understanding of Indigenous history and culture, and supporting respectful relationships. 69传媒recognizes that discussions in this era of truth and reconciliation will unveil difficult facts within our country鈥檚 history. However, in keeping with our institutional vision, we know that education is vital to understanding the history of colonialism and the forward-looking process of reconciliation. Working together, we must use knowledge as a catalyst for meaningful change in communities here in Prince Edward Island and around our world.

To assist 69传媒in this journey and in achieving our Vision as a learning community, the Office of Indigenous Affairs plays a leadership role in planning, developing, and implementing Indigenous initiatives at UPEI. This includes providing guidance on stakeholder collaborations and helping to develop a better understanding of and response to the Calls to Action that relate to post-secondary education as outlined in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada鈥檚 final report.

The Office works in collaboration with the 69传媒campus community to facilitate a growing level of idea sharing, information and knowledge exchange, and a better understanding of Indigenous history and culture. Working with members of the University community and communities throughout PEI, the Office plays play a key role in identifying opportunities to build awareness of Aboriginal issues through curriculum and the development of training programs.  The Office also plays a key role in progressing policy and processes that help advance decolonization and Indigenization at the University.

Office of Indigenous Affairs

  • Provides strategic and operational advice to UPEI鈥檚 leadership team on Indigenous initiatives.
  • Works collaboratively with diverse University and community working groups on developing, implementing, and evaluating activities that advance reconciliation at the University.
  • Works with campus partners to develop and implement an Indigenous Strategy for the 69传媒community.
  • Participates on working groups and committees to confirm and support UPEI鈥檚 goals and objectives as they relate to respectful conversations, decolonization, and Indigenization at the University.
  • Identifies, supports and coordinates policy development, implementation, and review to facilitate full and equitable participation of Indigenous peoples and communities at UPEI.
  • Works with UPEI鈥檚 EDI Office and other training partners, to oversee the identification, development, delivery, and evaluation of training programs for the 69传媒community.
  • Demonstrates the University鈥檚 Value of Equity, Inclusion and Reconciliation by promoting a culture of respect, knowledge, and inclusion and developing initiatives that support a welcoming learning and work environment for individuals with diverse backgrounds and identities.