We are thankful to be welcome on these lands in friendship. The lands we are situated on are covered by the Williams Treaties and are the traditional territory of the Mississaugas, a branch of the greater Anishinaabeg Nation, including Algonquin, Ojibway, Odawa and Pottawatomi. These lands remain home to many Indigenous nations and peoples.

We acknowledge this land out of respect for the Indigenous nations who have cared for Turtle Island, also called North America, from before the arrival of settler peoples until this day. Most importantly, we acknowledge that the history of these lands has been tainted by poor treatment and a lack of friendship with the First Nations who call them home.

This history is something we are all affected by because we are all treaty people in Canada. We all have a shared history to reflect on, and each of us is affected by this history in different ways. Our past defines our present, but if we move forward as friends and allies, then it does not have to define our future.

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UOIT celebrates International Mother Language Day festival

March 20, 2014

The International Mother Language Day festival gave students, faculty and staff a chance to share aspects of their heritage with their peers, learn about each other and appreciate diversity across campus.

University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) students, faculty and staff celebrated the rich diversity across campus at the International Mother Language Day festival on March 19. Hosted by UOIT’s Student Experience Centre, Durham College’s (DC) International office, as well as the shared Diversity office of UOIT and DC, the event featured live performances, cultural exhibitions and free food. It also included an open-mic component, where students had the opportunity to participate in on-stage cultural performances as a way of educating others about their heritage.

“UOIT is proud to have so many cultures represented within its community,” said Olivia Petrie, Assistant Vice-President, Student Life. “This event provided the perfect opportunity for students, faculty and staff to share aspects of their heritage with their peers, learn about each other and appreciate the diversity we have across campus.”

The following student groups participated in the event:

Aboriginal Student Circle
UOIT Conversation Café
World University Service of Canada

In addition, student groups represented heritage from:

Afghanistan
Austria
Bangladesh
Brazil
Botswana
China
Canada
Egypt
East Africa
India
Jordan
Nigeria
Pakistan
Palestine
Saudi Arabia
United Arab Emirates

International Mother Language Day was recognized in 1999 by the United Nations’ Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and has been celebrated across the globe since February 2000.

The goals of this festival are to:

celebrate diversity
encourage students to showcase their linguistic and cultural diversity
inspire the campus community to consider learning a new language
raise awareness of mother tongues, cultures and heritage

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