University leaders gather to advance action on anti-Indigenous racism

REGINA, Sask. — The president of First Nations University of Canada says the university will be supporting an upcoming summit on anti-Indigenous racism.

Indigenous education leaders, scholars and policymakers from across Canada will gather at Simon Fraser University’s First Peoples Gathering House on Nov. 3-4, for the NIUSLA Summit 2026: Gathering for Change – Dismantling Anti-Indigenous Racism in Post-Secondary Education.

The national summit will focus on moving post-secondary institutions beyond commitments and toward meaningful, accountable action to address anti-Indigenous racism, organizers say.

“First Nations University of Canada is proud to support this important gathering of Indigenous and post­secondary leaders dedicated to advancing reconciliation through action. Together, we can build institutions where Indigenous students, faculty, staff, and communities are respected, supported, and able to thrive,” said Dr. Jacqueline Ottmann, president of First Nations University of Canada.

A nationally recognized physician and leader in Indigenous health and anti-racism, Dr. Marcia Anderson will open the summit with a keynote address exploring how institutions can move from commitments to accountability and systemic change. Dr. Verna St. Denis will deliver the second-day keynote, focusing on leadership, institutional responsibility and pathways toward transformational change.

The summit will also feature the Mapping Whiteness team, led by Dr. Sheelah McLean, examining how institutional norms, structures and practices can marginalize Indigenous knowledge and experiences.

A panel discussion on residential school denialism will examine the responsibility of universities to advance truth-telling and confront misinformation. Facilitated by Clifford Atleo of the University of British Columbia, the panel will feature Dr. Edana Beauvais of Simon Fraser University, Dr. Mark Williamson of McGill University and Dr. Sean Carleton of the University of Manitoba.

“Universities, as sites of higher education, have a foundational responsibility to develop timely and effective strategies to better inform their students and the public about Canada’s colonial history,” said Williamson.

Insights and recommendations emerging from the Summit will inform a national report designed to help post-secondary institutions strengthen their approaches to addressing anti-Indigenous racism, institutional accountability and systemic change.