Laurier’s Social Justice and Solidarity Week events focus on Indigenous treaties, Land Back and reconciliation

Oct. 22, 2021
For Immediate Release

Brantford – Wilfrid Laurier University’s Office of the Associate Vice-President: Equity, Diversity and Inclusion will host Laurier’s inaugural Social Justice and Solidarity Week from Oct. 25 to 29 with a focus on Indigenous treaty recognition, the Land Back movement and reconciliation.

Public events will showcase work encompassing advocacy, solidarity efforts, human rights and social justice issues. All events are open to the public and will be held virtually. Participants are encouraged to register as soon as possible, as capacity is limited.

“The week’s events will provide the opportunity to have critical dialogue and learn the truth about the continuing unjust circumstances that Indigenous peoples are experiencing,” said Darren Thomas, Laurier’s associate vice-president: Indigenous Initiatives. “Having critical and sometimes uncomfortable conversations is the first step on the pathway toward reconciliation.”

The theme of Social Justice and Solidarity Week is “Treaty Recognition, #LandBack, and ‘Reconciliation.’” Events include the discussion “Land, Law and Treaties – How they are Interconnected” by Jock Hill; “How did Haudenosaunee Land Become the City of Brantford?” by Rick Hill; a panel discussion on the Land Back movement; the lecture “Land Grab Universities in the Era of ‘Reconciliation’ and Land Back” by Theresa McCarthy; and a panel discussion titled “Different Sides of the Front Line.”

See a full list of events, speakers and registration information.

The goal of Social Justice and Solidarity Week is to have participants gain an understanding of allyship as an ongoing process of healthy and reciprocal relationship building. The week is being held in partnership with Laurier’s Office of Indigenous Initiatives, Centre for Indigegogy, Office of Human Rights and Conflict Management, Centre for Student Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, Social Justice and Community Engagement program, and the Laurier Students’ Public Interest Research Group.

This year’s Social Justice and Solidarity Week is happening in correlation with Treaties Recognition Week, a provincial designation that takes place the first week of November, to honour the significance of treaties, help Ontarians learn more about treaty rights and increase awareness of the treaty relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities in Ontario.