Like many places of higher learning across Canada, Queen’s University is reviewing and re-evaluating its policies, procedures and practices related to Indigenous identity, including its hiring practices, and engagement with Indigenous peoples. First Peoples Group was contracted in the fall of 2021 to help guide conversations concerning Indigenous identity in light of recent public discussions and information released surrounding the identity of several individuals teaching at Queen’s.
Our work engaged rightsholders, stakeholders, interest groups, faculty, alumni, senior Queen’s staff, individuals, members from the Kingston urban Indigenous community, students and more importantly, elected leaders from sovereign nations on who’s traditional territory Queen’s University is located.
Based on what we have heard, our report consisted of seven (7) recommendations framed by the seven Grandfather Teachings; humility, wisdom, courage, honesty, truth, respect and love as well as the principles of the Great Law of Peace; righteousness, health and power. Each recommendation is significant and interweaves both what we have heard and these traditional teachings.
We count on the administration at Queen’s as well as those who will be tasked with developing the processes required to implement our recommendations to abide by these teachings and principles.