Thank you for visiting the Office of Indigenous Relations. We work collaboratively on and off-campus to advance the goals of the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action, creating a long-term vision for the University, grounded in decolonization.
"Our goals are intended to advance a strategic focus on the advocacy, commitments and actionable areas that will enable the University of Waterloo to strengthen Indigenous inclusion and leadership."
Explore our work and the ongoing Indigenous relations at the University of Waterloo
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is September 30th
Quick links for students
News and upcoming events
Events
Writing Our Stories: Indigenous Authors & Publishers Panel
The Office of Indigenous Relations and the University of Waterloo Libraries presents an Indigenous Authors & Publishers Reading, panel, and Q&A, featuring Ojistoh Publishing and Kegedonce Press alongside authors Dawn Cheryl Hill, Dr. Karenna’onwe Hill, D.A. Lockhart, and Coltrane Seesequasis.
Celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day 2026
On June 23rd, in honour of National Indigenous Peoples Day, the Office of Indigenous Relations (OIR),the Waterloo Undergraduate Student Association (WUSA) and the Graduate student Association (GSA) invite you to a celebration in the Student Life Centre (SLC) Great Hall.
Gather with us for a vibrant lunchtime celebration featuring talented Indigenous musicians, artisans, and cultural showcases. Enjoy Indigenous-inspired snacks, refreshing strawberry drink, and time to connect in community as we celebrate Indigenous cultures, creativity, and voices.
News
Indigenous students build connections at CCIB Central Business Forum
Indigenous students at the University of Waterloo, attended the Canadian Council for Indigenous Business (CCIB) Central Business Forum and it was more than a professional development opportunity, it was a moment of connection, inspiration and possibility.
Indigenous Connections - Spring 2026 | Volume 19
The Renewal and Rebalance Edition
Spring is a time of renewal and balance, a moment when light and dark meet, rivers begin to flow again, and our plant kin awakens with new growth. As the Earth stirs from her winter slumber, we look ahead to brighter days filled with possibility, learning, and connection.
At the University of Waterloo, this season also invites reflection and intention. We reaffirm our commitment to reconciliation and to building respectful, reciprocal relationships with Indigenous Peoples and communities. This spring also marks a time of welcoming new leadership and nurturing new relationships, grounded in care, responsibility, and a shared commitment to moving forward together.
Embedding Indigenization at the Heart of Waterloo’s Partnerships
At the University of Waterloo, Indigenization and decolonization are increasingly shaping how the institution builds and sustains partnerships. This shift is formalized in the Task Force on Principles for Institutional Partnerships (TFPIP) Final Report (2025), which establishes a values‑driven framework for ensuring institutional partnerships are ethical, accountable, and aligned with Indigenous rights and relationships.
Indigenous Connections - Winter 2026 | Volume 18
The Walking Together Edition
As we are halfway through the winter season, we’re reminded of the teachings this time of year carries. Winter invites us to slow our pace, to rest our spirits, and to reflect on the paths we’ve walked. Mother Earth lies tucked beneath a shimmering blanket of snow, taking her own time to breathe and restore. Following her example, we gather with our families, friends, and communities, sharing stories, laughter, and the seeds of ideas that will guide us into the warmer months ahead.
In that same spirit of connection and renewal, we’re excited to share this month’s updates, opportunities, upcoming events, and highlights from recent gatherings that have brought us together.
Announcing the Annual Momentum Report 2024-2025
The Office of Indigenous Relations has released the University of Waterloo’s first Indigenous Momentum Report, marking the beginning of annual reporting tied to the Indigenous Strategic Plan.
This inaugural edition highlights key milestones led by OIR over the past year. In future years, the Momentum Report will expand to include updates from the Indigenous Action Plan, as well as stories and initiatives from Faculties, Academic Support Units, and partners across campus.
Giving history a voice
New research at the University of Waterloo is centring Haudenosaunee voices in documenting the 1988 repatriation of eleven wampum belts to the Haudenosaunee Confederacy. Led by Tuscarora scholar Savannah Sloat and historian Dr. Talena Atfield, the project gathers first-hand community accounts to highlight wampum as living agreements tied to law, governance, and sovereignty.