In celebration of National Indigenous Peoples Day, faculty, staff and students gathered to acknowledge the recognition and reconciliation efforts underway at McGill and to highlight the work that remains ahead. They were brought together by the Office of Indigenous Initiatives, which also organizes the raising of the Hiawatha Wampum Belt flag above the McCall MacBain Arts Building to honour the national day.
Kanahsohon Kevin Deer, from Kahnawake Mohawk Territory, opened the event with the “Words that Come Before All.”
Next were remarks provided by McGill President Deep Saini, read aloud for the room.
“At the heart of our journey together are McGill’s 52 Calls to Action,” wrote Saini. “This year, we have continued to make meaningful progress: expanding access for Indigenous students, strengthening relationships with Indigenous communities and embedding Indigeneity more deeply into university life.”
Celebrating 95 Indigenous grads this spring
Speakers highlighted the particularly large number of Indigenous graduates this spring as a sign of tangible progress being made. Ninety-five of them crossed the stage during McGill’s 2025 spring convocation ceremonies.
“[Ninety-five] is more than just a number,” said Christopher Buddle, Associate Provost (Teaching and Academic Planning).
“We are seeing the result of the consistently dedicated work – especially by Indigenous units across our campuses – to provide support to students every step of the way,” he said.
Celeste Pedri-Spade, Associate Provost (Indigenous Initiatives), spoke of National Indigenous Peoples Day as a time to come together in respect and truth and to honour the richness of Indigenous cultures across the land. At the same time, she noted the importance of using the day to recall past attempts to erase those cultures, not least the residential school system, from which communities are still working to heal.
“Not just this weekend, but every day, let’s remember the importance of supporting Indigenous people in the classroom. They not only need to be seen, but heard. They need to be thriving, not just surviving,” said Pedri-Spade.
She said McGill’s 52 Calls to Action are more than a checklist. They are calls to meaningfully engage with Indigenous communities and support Indigenous learners.
“They provide a blueprint for institutional transformation, ways that we can work collaboratively to support change,” Pedri-Spade said.
The importance of symbols
Michael Loft, now retired from McGill’s School of Social Work, remarked on the progress that has been made.
“When I first came to McGill, 50 years ago, there was nothing Indigenous, no recognition of the original caretakes of this land,” said Loft, who has continued to work with the University on ways to increase Indigenous representation on campus. “Now, one of our beloved symbols, the Hiawatha Wampum Belt, is flying above the Arts Building. And it’s also showing up on the convocation stage, across which our young graduates walk. It’s important that they can see themselves in symbols. And for me, that’s a dream that has come true.”
For Brittanny Janvier, director of the Office of Indigenous Initiatives, the growing number of Indigenous graduates is another testament to the change underway.
“That’s 95 stories of strength; 95 journeys with challenges, growth and success; 95 students who made it through while staying rooted in who they are,” said Janvier. “That number matters because it shows us that all the work we’ve been doing is starting to take root.”
Janvier thanked Indigenous peers for all the guidance and support, but also recognized the contributions of non-Indigenous colleagues.
“True allyship isn’t about one big moment. It’s about the everyday choices. It’s about listening, learning and acting, even when it’s uncomfortable. Whether you are bringing Indigenous content into your courses, pushing for better student services or just creating space, you’re helping build a place where Indigenous students can truly belong,” Janvier said.
National Indigenous Peoples Day is June 21. Because the date falls on a weekend, McGill’s celebration was held Thursday.