SASKATCHEWAN
FNUniv and U of R to Host National Gathering to Advance Reconciliation in Canadian Post-Secondary Education

The First Nations University of Canada (FNUniv) and the University of Regina  (U of R) are humbled to co-host the 2025 National Building Reconciliation Forum on May 14-15, 2025, in Regina, Saskatchewan. This year's Forum will focus on the theme Responsibility as Reconciliation: Relational Accountability, marking a decade since the release of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada's (TRC) 94 Calls to Action.

The Forum, supported by Universities Canada, will take place on Treaty 4 Territory, the traditional lands of the Cree, Saulteaux, Dakota, Lakota, Nakoda, and the homeland of the Métis Nation.  This event will bring together Canadian university presidents and leadership teams, Indigenous leaders, student representatives, and scholars dedicated to advancing meaningful reconciliation. The Forum aims to provide a platform for critical discussions on how to sustain and deepen reconciliation efforts within post-secondary institutions.

The Forum's overarching purpose connects Indigenous and university communities to facilitate dialogue and drive meaningful systemic change, support Indigenization, decolonization and reconciliation efforts. By addressing these critical focus areas, the Forum aims to reinforce the responsibility that higher education leaders must listen, collaborate, and build partnerships with Indigenous peoples.

"Reconciliation is about taking real responsibility and committing to genuine actions that honour the rights, histories, cultures, lived experiences, and sophisticated and complex philosophies and intellect of Indigenous Peoples," said Dr. Jacqueline Ottmann, President of FNUniv. "This Forum offers an important opportunity to reflect on the progress made over the past decade and to identify gaps in TRC Calls to Action implementation. By bringing together leaders, educators, and community members, we aim to foster respectful dialogue, encourage collaboration, and inspire new commitments that lead to lasting and positive change. We believe that true reconciliation requires all of us to actively listen, build trust, and take meaningful steps forward together. It's a reciprocal responsibility and it's time for universities to engage in truth telling."

Originally, the National Building Reconciliation Forum was an invitation-only event for university leaders, including presidents, vice-presidents, provosts, and deans. This exclusivity served a purpose: it underscored the importance of the TRC's Calls to Action and the commitment to their implementation across universities. As we gather once again to mark the 10th anniversary of the TRC's final report and Calls to Action, we are continuing this tradition by inviting university administrators and leaders to come together around the TRC.

The two-day Forum will feature roundtable discussions with Indigenous leaders, Presidents, Chancellors, Board Members, and Universities Canada representatives, highlighting the role of research-intensive institutions in reconciliation. Key sessions will focus on decolonizing education, advancing the TRC's Calls to Action, and Indigenizing post-secondary institutions.

"At the University of Regina, we are committed to working with post-secondary leaders from across the country to acknowledge the hard truths of our shared past and continue on a meaningful path of reconciliation as we work toward a brighter future for everyone," said Dr. Jeff Keshen, President and Vice-Chancellor. "It is an honour to be chosen to host this important event on Treaty 4 lands, together with our colleagues at First Nations University of Canada."

"Congratulations to First Nations University of Canada and the University of Regina on their selection as hosts of the 2025 Building Reconciliation Forum," said Gabriel Miller, President and CEO of Universities Canada. "This Forum will be an opportunity to advance the essential role of Canadian universities in supporting reconciliation and Indigenous education. We look forward to gathering and collaborating on Treaty 4 Territory." 

 Key Highlights:

• Purpose: Connect Indigenous and university communities to facilitate dialogue and drive meaningful systemic change, support Indigenization, decolonization and reconciliation efforts
• Focus Area: Reinforce the responsibility that higher education leaders must listen, collaborate, and build partnerships with Indigenous peoples in relation to the TRC Calls to Action
• Attendees: Canadian university presidents and leadership teams, Indigenous leaders, student representatives, and scholars

Details on the program agenda and a dedicated event website will be released in December.