Manitoba's Top Employers

28 Community unleashes potential. When we inspire one another, there is no limit to what we can do. UMANITOBA.CA/CAREERS INCLUSIVENESS DRIVES U OF M BY JIM BENDER Gaa wii ji'i diyaang is an Anishinaabe word for "walking together, helping each other." That name was gifted by Elder Margaret Lavallee to a group at the University of Manitoba, but its meaning could also be central to the university's approach to diversity, inclusion and awareness. "It's a great council to support one another and find solutions to problems," says Val Williams, the U of M's Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Facilitator, Human Resources. "Our goal is to walk together and help each other." It is a goal for both Indigenous and non- Indigenous students and staff "working to- gether to ensure that the university campuses are a place where good relationships are be- ing built and we're working towards recon- ciliation," adds Ruth Shead, Coordinator for Indigenous Achievement at the U of M. "There can be cross-cultural challenges, so we try to introduce Indigenous ways of learning," she says. "We are making progress." Shead cites the introduction of an Indigenous Scholars Fund to support new faculty positions, and an Indigenous Initiatives Fund open to administrative units as well as to faculties, schools, colleges and libraries. Gaa wii ji'i diyaang is among the 48 Indig- enous projects that have been funded out of the U of M budget as a result of that initiatives fund. Others include an Indigenous Summer Student Internship Program; an Indigenous Languages Elders-in-Residence Program in the Faculty of Arts; and the revitalization of the Traditional Medicine Garden at the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences on the Bannatyne campus, with knowledge-strengthening around traditional medicines and teachings open to all. "Over the past five years, we've also creat- ed an Indigenous newsletter," she adds, "and this year, four different Indigenous languages are being taught by the department of Native studies — that's never happened before." Some of the many reasons why the U of M was named as a Top Employer for the seventh straight year include its commit- ment to diversity, inclusion, Indigenous leadership and opportunities for building reconciliation, and Indigenous achievement and awareness. There are recent initiatives such as the hiring of Dr. Catherine Cook as Vice-President (Indigenous), a new position; launching a new self-declaration survey (UCount) in support of its ongoing commit- ment to increase student, staff, faculty and leadership diversity that reflects society; and establishing the President's Task Force on Equity, Diversity and Inclusion to look at obstacles and inequities in those areas. That includes people belonging to any nationality, religion or gender or to the LGBTQ2+ community, Williams says. "Inclusion is for everyone," she says. "Getting to know people and building relationships goes a long way toward a diverse culture. It's critical. We have a diverse community here and are committed to creating a welcoming environment in which any individual or group can be and feel respected, supported and valued to fully participate." She notes that this falls into the univer- sity's priorities, as listed on its website, of creating pathways to Indigenous achieve- ment; building a community that creates an outstanding learning and work environ- ment; and forging connections. "To be named a Top Employer is really a great thing to hear," Shead says. "Through sharing Indigenous knowledges, culture, research and perspectives, and offering learning opportunities at the University of Manitoba, we can build relationships that ensure we build a better future for everyone." There are many related learning opportunities and resources for employees at the U of M, including diversity and inclusion consultations, workshops on building cultural capacity and tools to assess progress. Events open to everyone — such as the Indigenous Scholars Speaker Series and the Unsettling Ideas Book Club to spur community discussions around anti-racism, decolonization and reconciliation — take place almost every day of the year. Much of the change has also been driven from the grassroots level, and there's still work left to do. "We've done well, but we have to do better," says Williams. "We're on a journey. We have not arrived. "There's no 'other' in this community," she says. "We're in this together. We're stronger together and we will all benefit from an inclu- sive culture." UNIVERSITY OF MANITOBA

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