Workshop-seminar EDI and Indigenous Peoples

What is the actual status of universities’ action plans regarding Indigenous Peoples in Quebec?

The Cercle des Premières Nations de l’UQAM (CPNUQAM), invites you to attend this workshop–seminar titled “EDI and Indigenous Peoples” to be held in Montreal on March 26, 2026.

March 26, 2026, 6:00 PM
315 Sainte-Catherine Street East,
Room R-M110, Metro Level, UQAM

Also by Zoom

In Canada, in 2017, the government’s Action Plan for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) required universities to adopt EDI policies and measures aimed at addressing the underrepresentation of women, people with disabilities, Indigenous peoples, and members of visible minorities. This Action Plan emerged from significant pressure from affected communities calling for systemic change. EDI initiatives aim to address the inequalities experienced by groups facing oppression. However, they are often criticized for perpetuating oppression under the guise of inclusion, without bringing about real change.

The rise of EDI initiatives in universities and the prevailing discourse surrounding “reconciliation” might lead one to believe that the fight against inequality is well underway, but is this really the case (Ahmed, 2007a, 2007b)? Are universities making meaningful changes for Indigenous peoples?

Furthermore, inadequate university policies can have a range of negative effects: performative approaches, assimilationist dynamics, co-optation, additional burdens, and microaggressions toward Indigenous Peoples. A critical analysis of such institutional actions is therefore imperative, especially in a context where systemic racism is denied.

This workshop-seminar will discuss the findings of a study on institutional policies at 19 universities in Quebec, analyzed through the Indigenous Holistic Framework (Pidgeon, 2014, 2016). The findings reveal major gaps in universities’ efforts to address the ongoing impacts of colonialism. This study was published here.

The study’s findings will be summarized and discussed, after which the audience will be invited to review UQÀM’s action plan in order to put the shared insights into practice.

For more information cpn@uqam.ca

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