Embedding Anti-Racism and Decolonization in University

You are invited to join us for an afternoon discussion on the importance of embedding principles of anti-racism and decolonization in the core missions of Canadian universities, featuring special presentations by Dr. Malinda S. Smith (Calgary) and Dr. Sheila Cote-Meek (York).

“Embedding Anti-Racism and Decolonization in University Approaches to EDI”

Dr. Nicole Kaniki and Dr. Bertha Garcia, Western’s special advisors on anti-racism, will then join us to outline their work to reimagine the current processes for equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) initiatives at Western, and address how their work will activate the recommendations of the report to the President’s Anti-Racism Working Group.

To help situate our discussion within the national context, we are also pleased to welcome our feature speakers, Dr. Malinda S. Smith and Dr. Sheila Cote-Meek, who will be joining us to share their knowledge and experience as EDI leaders. Dr. Smith is the inaugural Vice Provost of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion and a Professor of Political Science at the University of Calgary. Dr. Cote-Meek is the inaugural Vice-President of Equity, People, and Culture at York University where she leads a team that includes the Centre for Human Rights, Equity and Inclusion, Labour Relations, and Human Resources.

Following their presentations, Dr. Smith and Dr. Cote-Meek will join Nicole Kaniki and Candace Brunette-Debassige, Western’s Special advisor to the Provost on Indigenous Initiatives, to discuss the complexities and opportunities of their work on EDI initiatives in Canadian academic life.

This event is sponsored by Western University's Office of Indigenous Initiatives and the President's Anti-Racism Working Group.