Online Student Support

York’s Statement on National Indigenous Peoples Day 2020

York University’s President, Rhonda L. Lenton has recently issued a statement on National Indigenous Peoples Day 2020. York recognizes our societies have benefitted greatly from the exploitation and harm that have historically marginalized and continue to marginalize Indigenous Peoples today and aims to make commitments to go beyond just acknowledging the harms in an attempt to redress them.

To view and read the whole Statement, click here

Truth and Reconciliation Commission & Report

The Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement, the largest class-action settlement in Canadian history, began to be implemented in 2007. One of the elements of the agreement was the establishment of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC) to facilitate reconciliation among former students, their families, their communities and all Canadians.

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Final Report is a testament to the courage of each and every survivor and family member who shared their story.

To learn more about the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and view details of the report, please visit Truth and and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC)’s  website. 

Please refer to this link from the government of Canada as well.

Indigenous Framework for York University: A Guide to Action

York acknowledges its presence on the traditional territory of many Indigenous Nations, and we recognize our responsibility to respond to many different calls issued by Indigenous People (such as the Royal Commission on Aboriginal People, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People, and the Truth & Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action to name a few). In 2017, York and the Indigenous Council, which advises the University on Indigenous initiatives, released the “Indigenous Framework for York University: A Guide to Action.” Built on the University’s distinct values, traditions, history and vision, the Framework laid a foundation for concrete actions that would embed Indigenous knowledge in the teaching, learning and research at York.

Statements from the York Federation of Students (YFS)

The York Federation of Students has released a statement on standing in solidarity with the Wet’suwet’en regarding the violation of Wet’suwet’en Law to Premier John Horgan and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Click here to view YFS’s statement on Wet’suwet’en Law.

To learn more about YFS and services & support they provide, visit their website: www.yfs.ca/

Indigenous at York University

The Indigenous Framework for York University: A Guide to Action is the result of cumulative efforts involving Indigenous and non-Indigenous York community member over several years. While the Framework was created in January 2017, it is important to acknowledge the significant contributions made by those who courageously stepped forward, convened dialogue and prepared earlier drafts. York initially started working on a draft Aboriginal Education Strategy and visioning exercise with its former Aboriginal Education Council several years earlier, and many of the original ideas and principles mirror those in the current Framework. Although the original draft was not formally adopted, the expertise, insight and aspirations shared during those early years were not forgotten. They helped to build a foundation upon which the Framework was created.

Please visit Indigenous at York University to find out more information

View the updated The Indigenous Framework for York University: A Guide to Action (2017 – 2019 Update)

The Centre for Indigenous Knowledges and Languages

The Centre for Indigenous Knowledges and Languages is a new Organized Research Unit (ORU) that was approved by the Senate in late May 2020.

The CIKL supports research involving both traditional and contemporary knowledges, as care-taken, shared and created by Indigenous scholars located in York University and Indigenous knowledge holders from communities.

The aim of CIKL will be to facilitate research and knowledge production and dissemination, by Indigenous and non-Indigenous scholars, that re-centers Indigenous knowledges, languages, practices and ways of being. In doing so, it will affirm Indigenous knowledges as vital sources of insight for the world and for future generations.

Click here to read more about The Centre for Indigenous Knowledges and Languages 

The Centre for Aboriginal Student Services

The Centre for Aboriginal Student Services strives to deliver services and programs that are cognizant of the diverse experiences and upbringings of the Aboriginal student population. When creating programs and services, CASS draws upon both the traditional teachings of the Aboriginal nations represented within the diverse on-campus Aboriginal population and the values of York University. CASS recognizes that above all else, each Aboriginal student is a person with a wide range of strengths, limitations, interests and experiences and, thus, the programs and services delivered are an expression of this truth.

The programs and services are created, developed and promoted for the benefit of Aboriginal students, any interested York-affiliate is welcome to participate in our programs and services.

Indigenizing York

The Vice-President Academic and Provost also established a new position — Academic Director, a role focusing on Indigenizing curriculum and the academy, working closely with CASS. Professor Susan Dion (Faculty of Education) served as the inaugural Academic Director in 2014/15 and Professor Bonita Lawrence (Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies) assumed the position in 2015/16. In 2015 Lawrence attended a conference in Saskatchewan where discussions on institutional strategies were held. Upon her return she worked with Professor Ruth Koleszar-Green (Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies) who was recently appointed Aboriginal Education Council Co-Chair to develop an Indigenous strategy for York University.

For more information, please visit: indigenous.info.yorku.ca

Aboriginal Students’ Association

Aboriginal Students’ Association at York (ASAY) is a York Federation of Students (YFS) funded community service group whose mandate is Indigenous student advocacy and community development which we accomplish through event hosting and awareness campaigning. ASAY challenges university exclusion of Indigeneity and confronts social barriers to the academic success of Indigenous students both on and off campus. ASAY is an autonomous student association who welcomes partnerships to assist in its obligations to Indigenous students. Executive membership is reserved for Indigenous, undergraduate students.

Page on YU Connect

Indigenous Student Association of Glendon

The purpose of the Indigenous Student Association of Glendon is to promote Indigenous culture and issue awareness on campus. We strive to create an inclusive community for those Indigenous to Turtle Island and non-indigenous to come together.

Page on YU Connect

List of External Community Resources

Indigenous Resources at other Ontario Post-Secondary Institutions

• Indigenous Students Association – Ryerson University | contact: indigisa@ryerson.ca   
• Ryerson Aboriginal Student Services (R.A.S.S.) – Ryerson University | Contact: Brian Norton (Program Coordinator) bnorton@ryerson.ca
• First Peoples@Seneca – Seneca College | Contact: Peggy Pitawanakwat (Coordinator), 416-491-5050 ext. 22953, peggy.pitawanakwat@senecacollege.ca
• Indigenous Student Services First Nations House – University of Toronto | Contact: Jeffrey Kiyoshk Ross (Resources Center Coordinator), 416-978-0413, jeffrey.ross@utoronto.ca
• Indigenous Student Services at George Brown College | Contact: Indigenous Services, 416-415-5000 ext. 3969, Indigenous.services@georgebrown.ca
• Indigenous Student Services at Humber College | Contact: Aboriginal Resources Centre, North Campus – 2^nd Floor, Learning Resource Commons – 205 Humber college Blvd, 416 675 6622 ext. 5424
• Indigenous Student Services at OCAD University | Contact: Indigenous Student Centre, 113 McCaul Street, Level 4, Room 410, Melissa General: 416-977-6000 ext. 2261, mgeneral@ocadu.ca
• Anishinabek Educational Institute | Contact: Anishinabek Nation: 705-497-9127
• FNTI Post Secondary Education | Contact: Shari Beaver (Director, Student Success and Service Delivery), 613-396-2122 ext. 122, sharib@fnti.net
• Oshki-Wenjack Education Institute | Contact: Campus Information, 3-106 Centennial Square, Thunder Bay, Ontario, 807 626 1880, info@oshki.ca
• Six Nations Polytechnic | General Information contact: 519-445-0023, reception@snpolytechnic.com
• Brock University Aboriginal Student Services | Contact: Sandra Wong (Aboriginal Academic Support Program Coordinator) 905-688-5550 ext. 5883, swong2@brocku.ca
• Western University Indigenous Student Centre | Contact: 1-888-661-4095, is.staff@uwo.ca
• Waterloo Indigenous Student Center – University of Waterloo
• Office of Intercultural Affairs and Aboriginal Resources Centre – University of Guelph | Contact: Natasha Young (Aboriginal Student Advisor), 519-824-4120 ext. 52189, natasha.young@uoguelph.ca
• Indigenous Education and Cultural Services – Ontario Tech University | Contact: indigenous@ontariotechu.ca 

GTA – Ontario Resources

• Toronto Council Fire Native Cultural Centre | Contact: 439 Dundas Street East (M5A 2B1), 416-360-4350
• ImagiNative | Contact: 401 Richmond Street West, Suite 446 (M5V 3A8), 416-585-2333
• Toronto Aboriginal Support Services Council | Contact: info@tassc.ca, 16 Spadina Road, M5R 2S7, 647 748 6100
• Native Child and Family Services Toronto | Contact: info@nativechild.org, 30 College Street, 416-696-8510 | 2784 Keele Street (Keele location), 416-630-3423
• Anishnawbr Health Toronto | Contact: 401 Richmond Street West, Suite 446 (M5V 3A8), 24/7 mental health crisis management service:1(855) 242-3310,  info@aht.ca
• Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres | Contact: 219 Front Street East (M5A 1E8), 416 956 7575, ofifc@ofifc.org
• Tkaronto Indigenous Peoples Portal