On my way home from a luncheon I attended last month to honour York retirees, this line popped into my head. Throughout the afternoon, I had been fortunate to hear such great stories from retirees about how their time at York shaped their life, identity, sense of purpose and friendships. I heard stories about colleagues showing up at family members’ memorials and funerals unexpectedly, coming together to support each other in hard times and kind notes to celebrate birthdays and other milestones. I heard stories about returning to work after the pandemic and learning about the new hobbies people had picked up. Perhaps this meant a few more loaves of banana bread in the break room from those who had taken up baking, or more plants throughout the office from those who had nurtured their green thumb.

Though all retirees I spoke to were doing well in retirement, all looked back on their time at York fondly, recognizing how it had been woven into the fabric of their lives.

This is something that really resonates with me. Throughout my career, I’ve been lucky to work with colleagues who are intelligent, empathetic and supportive, both within and outside the metaphorical office walls. I’ve been even luckier to work with some of the same colleagues at different points in my career and have them turn into friends. To hear that others feel the same is a great connector.

We are all governed by individual experiences and thoughts, yet we are bound where our collective experiences and thoughts intersect. A place of work, especially one that an individual has contributed many years to, is a prime example of where these experiences intersect on a daily basis, creating connections that transcend workplace borders. The ability to develop interpersonal relationships with colleagues is not synonymous with any place of work, but anecdotes from recent retirees affirmed what I already believed to be true – that York’s workplace environment and culture is uniquely welcoming and inclusive, and while community may not be a part of every workplace, it is certainly a cornerstone of ours.

This concept is not new. In fact, it has roots with those who have care taken the land �첥��Ƶ is situated upon and those who call it home today.

While it is important to learn about, respect and celebrate the diversity in cultures of Indigenous nations in Canada, First Nation, Inuit and Métis world views have certain elements in common. For learners, these common elements are often referred to as essential understandings, as understanding their importance and application provides a foundation for further learning about Indigenous knowledges, languages, practice, and ways of being.

One such essential understanding is that of community. In practice, this involves cultivating a sense of belonging within a group as a core element of identity. It also means taking care of each other and coming together for life’s many moments, including celebration, mourning, gratitude, and support.

During National Indigenous History month, we have the opportunity to engage with the history and culture that Indigenous people bring to York and their importance to Canadian society. Our strong sense of community – a concept inherited, learned and consistently applied – is a contribution worth celebrating.

As we move into the warmer months, I would encourage you to practice the same concepts of community and taking care of each other on a personal level. As our responsibilities and lives at work ebb and flow, so do our personal lives. We respond to challenges, navigate difficult situations, relish in causes for celebration and seek opportunities to rest and recharge. As the saying goes, you cannot pour from an empty cup, and time away is just as important as showing up.

On the heels of a successful Congress 2023 which saw contributions from every department across the division, rest is well deserved. Take the time you need and spend it however you’d like. Your York colleagues and friends will look forward to hearing stories from your time off when you return.

Carol

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Canada also has a rich history of 2SLGBTQIA+ activism, with noteworthy gay rights protests taking place as early as 1971. Over the years, the demonstrations have evolved into a month of festivals and celebrations across the globe, with one of the largest parades in the world taking place right here in the City of Toronto.

On June 21, we commemorated the history, heritage, culture, resilience and contributions of Indigenous Peoples at �첥��Ƶ and across Canada when we observed National Indigenous Peoples Day.

In 1996, then Governor General Romeo LeBlanc proclaimed National Aboriginal Day following many years of consultations and statements of support from various Indigenous groups. In 2017, Prime Minister Trudeau issued a statement renaming the day “.” It is a day meant for all Canadians to recognize and celebrate the unique heritage and outstanding contributions of all Indigenous Peoples. It is observed on June 21 to recognize the summer solstice, the day when the earth’s northern hemisphere is maximally tilted toward the sun, resulting in the longest day of light in the year. For thousands of years, this day has held great significance for Indigenous Peoples. It is a day when First Nations gather and share in ceremonies and traditions to thank Mother Earth for her gifts and to celebrate the preservation of Indigenous languages, knowledge, culture and histories.

The month of June is also recognized as Indigenous History Month. An opportunity for Indigenous Peoples to celebrate, and for non-Indigenous people to commit to learning more about the history and the many contributions Indigenous Peoples make across (North America) today.

For many centuries and continuing through to the present, colonial practices and social policies have sought to erase Indigenous history and knowledge. Legislation such as the Indian Act and the residential school system were created to intentionally dismantle cultures, familial ties, histories and knowledge systems. These actions have resulted in tremendous trauma and harm to Indigenous Peoples. We cannot erase the past, we must acknowledge it, learn from it and commit to making the present and the future more hopeful, inclusive and harmonious. This is a commitment that requires substantial work and effort to undo the harm and destruction caused by colonialism.

In the recent past and as part of this commitment, Canada has been on a journey of truth to understand the legacies of harm and has been working with Indigenous Peoples toward reconciliation. In 2015, the multi-volume was released. The report contains 94 calls to action for Indigenous and non-Indigenous people to come together to help repair the harm caused by colonial practices, former social policies and legislation and to help us move forward. The calls to action were divided into two categories, Legacy and Reconciliation. The Legacy category focus on redressing the catastrophic consequences of the while the calls under the Reconciliation category aim to establish better relations between the federal and provincial governments of Canada and Indigenous Peoples.

A key component in this journey of truth and reconciliation is learning — learning about the unique culture, traditions, communities and histories of Canada’s Indigenous Peoples and learning from Indigenous Peoples in our community, about ways in which we can live well together, support each other and help each other thrive. And while June is observed as Indigenous History Month, enhancing our knowledge as part of our journey towards reconciliation should not be limited to a single month. Reconciliation is intentional, it is the only way forward and I remain committed to my journey of learning, intentionally seeking out books and articles by Indigenous writers to help me better understand. 

I recently read a book with a collection of essays by Haudenosaunee writer Alicia Elliott, titled . The title is a rough translation of a Mohawk phrase for depression. The author covers a broad range of topics, from race, parenthood, love, art, mental illness, poverty and sexual assault to gentrification and representation. Elliott sheds light on problems from the seldom-heard perspective of the Indigenous community. She writes with love for her culture, her community and her family. She writes with love for herself while revealing that she is the product of intergenerational trauma and colonialism. She provides historical context about current issues while delving into the ways they manifest on a personal level through vulnerable glimpses into her own life growing up as a biracial, Haudenosaunee woman in the US and Canada. Her essays shed light on how colonial actions continue to reverberate and are being experienced by Indigenous Peoples today.

In her book, Elliott mentions the Haudenosaunee belief in the principle of the . The principle holds that the actions and decisions we make today will affect seven generations into the future. Imagine knowing what you do today will impact seven generations later. What would you do differently?

As I close off this blog, I would like to extend my best wishes to you for the rest of the summer. I would like to recommend A Mind Spread Out on the Ground by Alicia Elliott as a summer read and I encourage you to join me on a journey of learning. I truly believe that we can be transformed by what we read and how we participate in our community. I believe everyday represents an opportunity for us to: reflect on and learn more about the culture and contributions of Canada’s Indigenous Peoples; to show support for members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community; to embrace our unique diversity; and go forward together, to develop a community and a nation that is fulfilling, safe, inclusive and equitable for all, for now and for the future.

All the best,

Carol

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As I sat writing my blog, I realized that there is so much about this month that warrants mentioning. June is the month in which we usher in summer, it has both the longest and the shortest days of the year— depending on where you’re standing! If you’re in the northern hemisphere, like we are, then June 21, is the longest day of the year. If you were in the southern hemisphere, then the 21^st would be the shortest day of the year. June brings beautiful bouquets, delicious fruits and vegetables, and an urge to get out there and enjoy the sunshine.

Summer tends to be a light and carefree time of the year, however, this year our celebration of summer might be tempered. The discovery of 751 unmarked graves on Cowessess First Nation in southeast Saskatchewan is a stark reminder of the work that we must do, and how very important it is for each of us to commit to reconciliation. So, while we celebrate National Aboriginal History Month and National Indigenous Peoples Day in June — a time for learning about, appreciating and acknowledging the contributions that First Nations, Inuit and Métis people and all that they have done in shaping Canada, we also grieve with them. I encourage you to take the time to reflect on the injustices and suffering inflicted and to get acquainted with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Reports and its 94 Calls to Action and learn how you can play a part towards reconciliation.

I would also like to ask if we can all bring to mind the tragic workplace incident that happened on our Keele campus on Monday, 28, June. Our hearts go out to the victim's family, friends, co-workers and to the York community. This is a keen reminder that workplace safety is everyone’s responsibility and that safety in the workplace has a significant impact on all of us. Resources are available through the Employee and Family Assistance Program to help you through this traumatic experience.

At our last town hall, I mentioned that June is a month in which we celebrate with, and show our support for, members of the 2SLGBTQIA communities in their historic and current struggles for equality. But more than that, it is a demonstration of our unwavering commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.

This month also brings us to the mid-year point, a time for me to reflect on the year so far, to look at the exciting things that have happened, not just in my life but in our division, and to look forward with great anticipation of what’s to come.

This past year, 116 colleagues from the Community Safety �첥��Ƶ Department have continued to come on campus to ensure a safe community for all.  Our colleagues responded to 11,922 calls for service, conducted almost 5,986 check-ins at campus buildings and offices, and processed 2,324 requests for access to campus. And even though far less people have been on campus, this dedicated team has responded to 133 Emergency Medical Service calls. Always prepared and focused on the safety of the York community, this team has maintained regular checks on the exterior lighting, emergency phones and all the fire safety equipment on our campuses.

Before the pandemic, UIT provided expert service and support to the community. Throughout the pandemic, the team has continued to demonstrate that they can rise to any challenge and exceed expectations. They have enhanced services and added layers of security to ensure students, faculty and staff can study, teach, conduct research and work, with peace of mind knowing that UIT is working on their behalf. They have improved the performance and resilience of eClass resulting in a glitch-free winter exam period. They’ve added Ada—a virtual assistant for IT support, a complement to the award winning, highly successful student virtual assistant, SAVY. They are moving full steam ahead with the University’s largest digital transformation project, the Student Systems Renewal Program (SSRP).  With a focus on delivering superior services to students, faculty and staff, SSRP will streamline processes and technology platforms to allow students to plan and better manage their learning experiences.

On June 14 the University Services Centre (USC) was officially launched. Colleagues from the Pension and Benefits Office from the Human Resources Department have joined colleagues from the General Accounting team, Expense Desk, Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable, from the Financial Services Department, to become the first members of the USC. These two teams will be joined in late summer by members of the Procurement Operations team, also from the Financial Services Department. Together, these teams will become part of a one-stop-shop in which administrative services to faculty, instructors and staff will be delivered in a consistent and simple manner, with ease of access and enabled through technology.

The design and implementation of the USC is part of the Service Excellence Program (SEP). SEP is a three-year initiative focused on improving processes, structures, systems and culture and is guided by York’s vision for service excellence. The program seeks to collaboratively create solutions with the community; solutions that are user-focused and aimed at making York a better place to work and learn.

If I have learned anything over this past year, it is that colleagues in DFA are extraordinary. They are committed to the division and the University. They are resilient as demonstrated in the extraordinary successes achieved during the most challenging of times, and I am humbled, and tremendously grateful to each team member.

It is my hope, that over the next few months, you can take some much-deserved vacation time and enjoy the sights and sounds of summer.  Summer is really starting to get into full swing, every day lasts just that little bit longer, making breezy summer evenings a real treat. Whatever you do, I encourage you to take a moment to reflect on the year so far, as it’s halfway gone already!

All the best,

Carol

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