On the occasion of National Indigenous Peoples Day on June 21, to recognize and promote Indigenous identities, contributions, and cultures, Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue (UQAT) wishes to reaffirm its commitment to continue developing training and research for, by, and with First Nations and Inuit by launching a virtual space dedicated to teaching, research, and community services related to Indigenous issues.
Photo credit : Mathieu Dupuis
A virtual space to gather expertise and promote development
To highlight current initiatives such as the implementation of the 2019-2024 UQAT and Indigenous Peoples Action Plan, gather expertise, and support the objectives of promoting and consolidating the development of partnerships with Indigenous organizations and communities, a virtual space with dedicated fields can now be accessed via the UQAT website.
To improve accessibility and user-friendliness, this new platform aims to promote sharing and collaboration with future students and current and future partners by making available UQAT's various centers of expertise on Indigenous issues. Many activities related to Indigenous issues at UQAT can be presented on this space, whether they have to do with the vision of research, the various research groups, the expertise of faculty and staff members, training, the availability of culturally relevant programs, student services, or the Continuing Education Service.
Acting together for fair and inclusive collaboration
Since its inception, UQAT has been committed to fair and inclusive collaboration with First Nations and Inuit and is committed, by virtue of its mission, to serving as an agent of change and taking part in the process of improving inter-community relations. It wishes to be an agent for development, in particular by promoting its expertise and unique approach. UQAT sets itself apart by making Indigenous students a priority in its mission: they are the focus of one of the six issues in its 2015-2020 Development Plan.