The Indigenization of universities and colleges has become a key focus of discussion on many campuses in recent months. The challenge, however, is that Indigenization of the academy remains an often murky and even contested concept.

Today, university protocol requires that we acknowledge the original inhabitants of this land and their descendants who have lived here for millennia and whose way of life has changed significantly over this time.

As with every Council, the first afternoon was given over to a scene-setting panel discussion. This year’s topic was “Indigenizing the Academy”. It was an engaging discussion that touched on a range of issues faced by Indigenous peoples.

Ashley Thomson, a librarian at Laurentian University, was recognized for extraordinary service during the CAUT Council meeting in Ottawa on April 28.