Everyone Belongs. All are Welcome.

During our time together at STLHE 2025 Annual Conference in Saskatoon, we gather on treaty six territory and the ancestral lands of the Cree, Saulteaux, Dene, Dakota, Lakota, and Nakota peoples, and the traditional homelands of the Metis. In Saskatoon we acknowledge the contributions of the Dakota and Round Prairie Métis peoples in establishing our city where were we have come together for this conference.

As educators in these territories, it is our collective priority to ensure all learners gain a deeper understanding of our shared histories and contemporary relationships. Our work reflects a desire and commitment to create a reconciled future. We respectfully recognize the Indigenous peoples of these lands as part of our ongoing commitment to good relations.

Approximately two years ago, I began engaging in conversations with my colleague Carrie McCloy about respectfully acknowledging Indigenous Ways of Knowing and recognizing the intersectionality of it with Universal Design for Learning. Together we crafted this statement. Although there may be a temptation to include Indigenous ways of knowing within other frameworks such as Universal Design for Learning, it is essential that we are integrating Indigenous ways of knowing and being, by staying true to the principles, values, teachings, and Indigenous Knowledge. It is imperative that we consult with Indigenous peoples about our ideas of integrating Indigenous ways of knowing and doing within our classroom spaces.

We encourage you to reach out to a nearby Indigenous community member, fellow Indigenous faculty, Elders, or Traditional Knowledge keepers to help inform your plans for integration.

We acknowledge and honour Indigenous people during the month of June as part of National Indigenous History Month, but it is of the utmost importance that we reflect and act on reconciliation and decolonization throughout the entirety of the year.

In the spirit of miyo wâhkôhtowin (good relations), we also acknowledge the 2SLGBTQIAP+ community, differently-abled, neurodivergent, and all traditionally othered people.​ Through our work at Saskatchewan Polytechnic, we strive to be effective allies who create safe, positive, and supportive learning environment for all.​

We recognize and notice the creativity, acceptance, and trust in teams that honour and respect differences. We accept the many gifts that people bring into our circles.

June is also Pride month. We celebrate this month, but remember that support, love, acceptance and allyship happens every day of the year. As Indigenous leader and lovely person Jack Saddleback says, “there are no closets in tipis”.