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All welcome at “Indigenization as a Pathway to Resiliency” lecture

Dr. Annette Trimbee, President and Vice-Chancellor at UWinnipeg. Photo by Cory Aronec.

The public will have a chance to learn about Indigenization as a Pathway to Resiliency at a free public lecture by UWinnipeg’s President and Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Annette Trimbee, on Friday, March 15.

President Trimbee will reflect on best practices toward Indigenization, with a specific emphasis on UWinnipeg’s efforts to support Indigenous students from early learning through to university graduation, during the 17th Igbo Educational Lecture Series (IELS) event hosted by the Umunna Igbo Cultural Association of Manitoba Inc. and UWinnipeg’s Global College.

“Our approach to Indigenization continues to be informed by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action,” said President Trimbee. “As a place of learning, we recognize our role in supporting the development of the next generation of leaders and we are committed to including more Indigenous people, perspectives, and knowledge in the academy. Our community has taken a number of important steps toward Indigenization over the last few years and I look forward to sharing what we have learned.”

UWinnipeg is one of the first universities in Canada to mandate that all incoming undergraduate students learn about Indigenous peoples and be exposed to Indigenous perspectives and worldviews. The annual Indigenous Summer Scholars program encourages Indigenous students to explore graduate studies opportunities in 10-week research assistantships with faculty researchers from a variety of areas.  An Indigenous Advisory Circle ensures the inclusion of Indigenous Peoples’ perspectives in the governance of the University, and the achievements of Indigenous academics and community members are honoured at graduation ceremonies, at the annual Spring Pow Wow, and at various events throughout the year.

Dr. Michael Eze, Department of Chemistry, has played a key role in organizing and convening the series since its inception, bringing together students, faculty, and community members to share important conversations on human rights, human security, and peace while advocating for harmonious and meaningful coexistence. He was thrilled when President Trimbee agreed to give this year’s lecture. 

“This series helps make people aware of the need to live in peace and harmony, to understand different perspectives, and create a new way of being in the world, the global village of our dreams” said Dr. Eze. “I was honoured when President Trimbee accepted our request to speak.”

Since announcing this year’s lecture, Dr. Eze has received numerous letters of support from across the community. He has been humbled by how positively the topic has been received.

“Here in Winnipeg, where we are on a path to reconciliation with Indigenous people, it is so important that key partners in the community, like The University of Winnipeg, are engaged in supporting, bringing forward, and championing Indigenous perspectives in the provincial, national, and global human rights discussion,” said Mayor Brian Bowman in his letter of support.

Dr. Eze is a longtime member of the Umunna (Igbo) Cultural Association of Manitoba Inc. The non-profit organization has fostered the security, growth, and development of Igbo people in Manitoba for more than 20 years. He is proud of all the volunteers that come together to organize the IELS, bringing people together to promote peace-building in a multicultural society. The series began in 2006 under the vision of the Honourable Dr. Rey Pagtakhan, founding director of Global College and inaugural IELS lecturer, and the Honourable Dr. Lloyd Axworthy, UWinnipeg past President and fourth IELS lecturer. 

This series is one of the ways that UWinnipeg’s Global College fosters global citizenship and engagement in human rights. Events like this give students, faculty, staff, visiting scholars, and community leaders an opportunity to interact and share diverse perspectives about global citizenship, human rights, and other issues affecting local and global communities.

Everyone is welcome to attend this free public lecture. The evening begins at 7:00 pm in UWinnipeg’s Eckhardt-Gramatté Hall. President Trimbee’s lecture will be followed by a question and answer period, and light refreshments. 

For more information on the lecture series, contact Dr. Michael Eze at m.eze@uwinnipeg.ca, Nivin Abdalla (Global College office assistant) at global.college@uwinnipeg.ca, or Ernest Anamalu (Umunna Igbo Cultural Association of Manitoba) at ernest_anamalu@yahoo.ca.