Soraya Jackson
Nov 25, 20212 min read
Soraya Jackson
Nov 25, 20213 min read
youssef khaled
Nov 18, 20211 min read
youssef khaled
Nov 18, 20211 min read
youssef khaled
Nov 18, 20211 min read
Discrimination Against Indigenous Students and Staff at Canadian Universities
- Alethea Yujuico
- Nov 10, 2021
- 2 min read
It isn't a secret that racism and discrimination are an ongoing issue persisting throughout the years, specifically to Indigenous staff and students in universities across Canada.
Student Voices wants to bring awareness to the harsh realities that many Indigenous students and faculty members may face on a day-to-day basis. Toxic educational environments have the ability to hinder the progress of Indigenous students, affect the mental health of both students and faculty, as well as expose the social isolation Indigenous communities face in general.
Student Voices came across an article written by Kerry A. Bailey, a professor in the department of sociology at McMaster University in Hamilton, highlighting the forms of racism endured by Indigenous students within Canadian universities.
“Despite increasing levels of successful degree completion and the creation of strong support systems, Indigenous students are consistently faced with barriers, including interpersonal discrimination, frustration with the university system and feelings of isolation,” describes Bailey.
In Bailey’s article, 17 student interviews were conducted in 2012, revealing that the learning environment at McMaster University, is one where they often experience different forms of discrimination.
One student, who's full name has not been disclosed in the article, reveals that she feels isolated within the academic and social environments at McMaster University.
Another student claimed that her professor asked the class:
“on a scale of one to a hundred how much do you like Aboriginal people?",
which Bailey identifies as a form of 'microagression', or brief hostile attacks towards Indigenous peoples.
Unfortunately, Indigenous faculty members do not face any exemptions from this form of discriminatory behaviour, making it difficult to work in such environments throughout the school year.
Indigenous professors at the University of Saskatchewan have reported discrimination and systemic racism in areas “tenure evaluation, transfer requests, research approval and other areas."
These concerns were brought up in a letter to the president of the University of Saskatchewan, Peter Stoicheff.
As a result, at least nine Indigenous staff members have left their roles as professors between the years 2015 to 2020.
Indigenous faculty and students have faced discrimination and racism in places of education for years, making it difficult to excel in studies and work. These situations have yet to be addressed by the schools.
Want to take action?
Help make other Canadian universities a safe and inclusive space for Indigenous students and faculty by signing the petitions below:
Western University: Make Anti-Oppression Workshop Mandatory
Add Colonization and Indigenous History to the Ontario Ministry of Education Curriculum
Resources:
Comments