¶®É«µÛ

Psychology community members,

The Psychology Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Committee joins people across Canada in observing as Orange Shirt Day. On this day, we remember the systemic injustices that were perpetuated through Canada’s residential school system, and their lasting impacts, as well as the current injustices, prejudice, and discrimination Canada’s Indigenous peoples continue to face.

On September 30th and October 1st, we invite community members to wear an orange shirt to honour the thousands of children who were forcibly taken from their homes and sent to residential schools. We invite you to reflect, learn, and engage in meaningful and respectful conversations about residential schools and their lasting impacts.

Orange shirts designed by The First People’s House (art by ) can be purchased at . The proceeds from these purchases goes directly into cultural programming by the First People’s House.

News

• Flag Raising Ceremony: Earlier this month, the ¶®É«µÛ raised the Treaty 6 and Métis flags at the ¶®É«µÛ campus for the first time. Recently, there has also been the addition of plaques across campus acknowledging First Peoples; we encourage you to visit and reflect on these.

Events

This week and month, there are several community, campus, and department events that we encourage you to attend and explore.

• Exhibit on the legacy of residential schools
  • Time & Location: Sept 23 - Oct 1 | 9 am - 5 pm | U of A Bookstore in SUB
• Traditional dancing and drumming
  • Time & Location: Sept 26 | 12 - 1 pm | U of A Bookstore in SUB
• • Time & Location: Sept 29 | 2 - 4 pm | VVC 2-215
• • Time & Location: October 2 | 10:00 am - 2:00 pm | University Bookstore
• • Time & Location: September 30 | 10 am | Royal Alberta Museum
• Department of Psychology Reel Change Film Viewing: NÎPAWISTAMÂSOWIN: WE WILL STAND UP
  • Time & Location: October 20 | 4:00 pm | BS-M 145

Learn from Indigenous Voices in Psychology

Reconciliation also means amplifying Indigenous leadership in our field. We encourage our community to learn from and engage with Indigenous psychologists and scholars who are advancing research, practice, and community wellness. Explore: the Canadian Psychological Association's Indigenous Peoples’ Psychology Section (), the Society of Indian Psychologists (), and the U of A Library guide to Indigenous research ().

Supporting Indigenous Organizations

Below we highlight Indigenous organizations that are making important contributions and meaningful change in their communities. We encourage community members to donate to these causes if they are able.

• First Peoples’ House

¶®É«µÛ Indigenous Strategic Plan

We encourage you to read the Indigenous Strategic Plan, Braiding Past, Present and Future: ¶®É«µÛ Indigenous Strategic Plan, to reflect on the University’s commitment to reconciliation and to consider the actions that you can take on the path toward reconciliation.

As a community, we need to continue our work to answer the 94 calls to action outlined by the to forward the process of reconciliation. As members of the Department of Psychology Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Committee, we are dedicated to ongoing education, learning, and action. Our aim is to support actions to create accessible, inclusive, equitable, and anti-racist learning and working environments and to help change systemic beliefs, behaviors, and policies that underlie racism.

Sincerely,
Jennifer Passey (Chair of the Psychology Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee)
Sent on behalf of the Psychology EDI Committee