The University of Windsor and the Can-Am Indian Friendship Centre signed a memorandum of understanding Wednesday.
The partnership outlines a commitment from the university to advance Truth and Reconciliation and the well-being of the First Nations campus community.
"This day is monumental. To be able to Indigenize a university that has been colonized for centuries and be able to make a home for Indigenous students where they feel comfortable, where education can become what it was supposed to be not what it's been historically remembered as by Indigenous people," said Jennifer D'Alimonte president of the Can-Am Indian Friendship Centre Board of Directors
Beverly Jacobs, senior advisor to the president on Indigenous relations and outreach said this is the first step to the university's Indigenous strategic planning currently underway.
"It's really powerful. I feel that we're right in the midst of a shift of understanding our relationship. Today is a celebration of who we are as Indigenous people and to remember that the genocidal policies didn't work and that we're here to build those relationships, to respect each other," said Jacobs.
The Can-Am Indian Friendship Centre will offer services on and off campus for students.
"That connection with us is going to be able to provide those services to keep them grounded, to keep them focused, to help them move forward in a successful way using culture and language," said D'Alimonte.
The partnership will be in effect for two years, with the possibility of an extension.
