Office of the President / en Acknowledging the land: Showcasing Indigenous artists, voices and experiences /news/acknowledging-land-showcasing-indigenous-artists-voices-and-experiences <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Acknowledging the land: Showcasing Indigenous artists, voices and experiences</span> <div class="field field--name-field-featured-picture field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="eager" srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/2023-12/2023-10-11-Simcoe-Hall-Indigenous-Art-Installation_Polina-Teif-9-crop.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=1kuCSMbb 370w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_740/public/2023-12/2023-10-11-Simcoe-Hall-Indigenous-Art-Installation_Polina-Teif-9-crop.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=xyZM_Sl2 740w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_1110/public/2023-12/2023-10-11-Simcoe-Hall-Indigenous-Art-Installation_Polina-Teif-9-crop.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=yaZ0ZKuM 1110w" sizes="(min-width:1200px) 1110px, (max-width: 1199px) 80vw, (max-width: 767px) 90vw, (max-width: 575px) 95vw" width="740" height="494" src="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/2023-12/2023-10-11-Simcoe-Hall-Indigenous-Art-Installation_Polina-Teif-9-crop.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=1kuCSMbb" alt="&quot;&quot;"> </div> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span>lanthierj</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2023-12-12T14:54:37-05:00" title="Tuesday, December 12, 2023 - 14:54" class="datetime">Tue, 12/12/2023 - 14:54</time> </span> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-cutline-long field--type-text-long field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Cutline</div> <div class="field__item"><p><em>Chancellor Rose Patten looks at the new art pieces inside 91Թ’s Simcoe Hall (all photos by Polina Teif)</em></p> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-author-reporters field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/authors-reporters/mariam-matti" hreflang="en">Mariam Matti</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-topic field--type-entity-reference field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Topic</div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/topics/city-culture" hreflang="en">City &amp; Culture</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-story-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/utogether" hreflang="en">UTogether</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/indigenous-initiatives" hreflang="en">Indigenous Initiatives</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/office-president" hreflang="en">Office of the President</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/art-museum" hreflang="en">Art Museum</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/president-meric-gertler" hreflang="en">President Meric Gertler</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/truth-and-reconciliation" hreflang="en">Truth and Reconciliation</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-subheadline field--type-string-long field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Subheadline</div> <div class="field__item">'This is an incredible example of prioritizing Indigenous space while showcasing Indigenous excellence and resiliency'</div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>A new art installation inside the 91Թ’s Simcoe Hall is shining a spotlight on some of Canada’s most respected Indigenous artists while giving the community an opportunity to reimagine the concept of public space.</p> <p>The exhibition, <em><a href="https://artmuseum.utoronto.ca/program/guided-visits-acknowledging-the-land-at-simcoe-hall/">acknowledging the land</a></em>, honours Indigenous continuity, resilience and self-determination. The long-term installation occupies space previously reserved for paintings of 91Թ leaders who have shaped the university over its 196-year history – a gesture acknowledging the importance of making space for Indigenous voices and presence.</p> <figure role="group" class="caption caption-drupal-media align-center"> <div> <div class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/scale_image_750_width_/public/2023-12/UofT93704_2023-10-11-Simcoe-Hall-Indigenous-Art-Installation_Polina-Teif-20-crop.jpg?itok=-Lrspnia" width="750" height="500" alt="&quot;&quot;" class="image-style-scale-image-750-width-"> </div> </div> <figcaption>Artist Katherine Takpannie's work is featured in a new art installation at 91Թ’s Simcoe Hall (photo by Polina Teif)</figcaption> </figure> <p><a href="https://www.katherinetakpannie.ca/alleyesonmikmaki">Artist <strong>Katherine Takpannie</strong></a> said her mother – a residential school survivor who was born in Apex Hill, Nvt., before being taken away at age six – was in tears when she learned her daughter’s work would be featured at the exhibit.</p> <p>“It was impactful for her because her life and what happened to Indigenous Peoples has been swept under the rug for so long,” said Takpannie, who was born in Montreal.</p> <figure role="group" class="caption caption-drupal-media align-right"> <div> <div class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/2023-12/2023-10-11-Simcoe-Hall-Indigenous-Art-Installation_Polina-Teif-4-crop.jpg" width="350" height="525" alt="&quot;&quot;"> </div> </div> <figcaption>Artist Katherine Takpannie's portrait titled <em>All Eyes on Mik’Ma’Ki (Ma Myriah) </em>is displayed (photo by Polina Teif)</figcaption> </figure> <p><a href="https://www.katherinetakpannie.ca/university-of-toronto-acknowledging-the-land#1">Takpannie’s portrait</a> is of Inuk/L’nu/Scottish grassroots activist Ma Myriah Peace. It recognizes Peace’s frontline work in support of Mi’Kmaq fishers’ rights and pays homage to her role as a determined and dedicated community organizer.</p> <p>Other artists whose work is featured include: <strong>Rebecca Belmore</strong>, <strong>Catherine Blackburn</strong>, <strong>Lori Blondeau</strong>, <strong>Dana Claxton</strong>, <strong>Caroline Monnet</strong> and <strong>Laakkuluk Williamson Bathory</strong> with <strong>Jamie Griffiths</strong>.</p> <p>Under the leadership of the President’s Office, and through wide-ranging conversations with Indigenous artists, curators, faculty members and staff, the installation was produced by the Art Museum with the generous support of 91Թ’s Office of Indigenous Initiatives.</p> <p>“It was an honour to support this exhibit and see the reimagining of the walls of Simcoe Hall come to life,” said <strong>Shannon Simpson</strong>, senior director of the Office of Indigenous Initiatives.</p> <p>“This is an incredible example of prioritizing Indigenous space while showcasing Indigenous excellence and resiliency.”</p> <p>Those who wish to view the artwork at Simcoe Hall can <a href="https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/guided-visits-at-simcoe-hall-acknowledging-the-land-tickets-749503413887?aff=oddtdtcreator">register for a guided visit through Eventbrite</a>. While the Dec. 13 visit is already fully booked, there are visits scheduled for Jan. 10 and Feb. 14 at 3:30 p.m. Those who can’t make the listed dates can contact <strong>Melody Lu</strong>, operations assistant at 91Թ’s Art Museum (<a href="http://mailto:mel.lu@utoronto.ca">mel.lu@utoronto.ca</a>)&nbsp;to <a href="https://artmuseum.utoronto.ca/program/guided-visits-acknowledging-the-land-at-simcoe-hall/">plan group tours</a>.</p> <p>A launch to celebrate the exhibit was recently held inside 91Թ’s Governing Council chambers.</p> <figure role="group" class="caption caption-drupal-media align-center"> <div> <div class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/scale_image_750_width_/public/2023-12/2023-10-11-Simcoe-Hall-Indigenous-Art-Installation_Polina-Teif-31-crop.jpg?itok=DWPFUdud" width="750" height="500" alt="&quot;&quot;" class="image-style-scale-image-750-width-"> </div> </div> <figcaption>Artist Dana Claxton’s portrait titled <em>Headdress</em> is displayed (photo by Polina Teif)</figcaption> </figure> <p>91Թ President <strong>Meric Gertler</strong> said the portraits invite the public to “hear voices of courage, resilience and solidarity that for so long have been ignored or silenced.”</p> <p>He added that the installation is among several actions taken by 91Թ in response to <a href="https://www.provost.utoronto.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/155/2018/05/Final-Report-TRC.pdf"><em>Wecheehetowin</em>, the final report of the Steering Committee for the 91Թ’s Response to the Truth and Reconciliation Committee of Canada</a>, and will serve as a reminder to the university community that the work of reconciliation is ongoing and must remain a priority.</p> <p><a href="https://www.daniels.utoronto.ca/people/core-faculty/barbara-fischer"><strong>Barbara Fischer</strong></a>, executive director and chief curator of the Art Museum at 91Թ, said the discussions around the role of traditional leadership portraits in public-facing spaces inside Simcoe Hall began years ago, but the “clincher came in 2020.”</p> <p>“There were rising questions about public art and monuments prompted by the Black Lives Matter movement – why are there permanent monuments which tell of histories that exclude others? It was such an intensive time to rethink public space at every level, and it continues to be vitally important today” said Fischer, who is an associate professor, teaching stream, at the John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design.</p> <figure role="group" class="caption caption-drupal-media align-center"> <div> <div class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/scale_image_750_width_/public/2023-12/UofT93702_2023-10-11-Simcoe-Hall-Indigenous-Art-Installation_Polina-Teif-16-crop.jpg?itok=neIaxh3G" width="750" height="500" alt="&quot;&quot;" class="image-style-scale-image-750-width-"> </div> </div> <figcaption>Barbara Fischer is the executive director and chief curator of the Art Museum at 91Թ (photo by Polina Teif)</figcaption> </figure> <p>She added that wide-ranging conversations with Indigenous artists, curators, faculty members and staff led to the installation becoming a reality.</p> <p>“The voices of Indigenous artists are critical to confronting colonial history and relations with the land; their works attest to the amazing flourishing of Indigenous art and artists all across the country,” she said.</p> <p>“We are super proud that the artists agreed to be presented in this context with their works.”</p> <p><strong>Rose Patten</strong>, 91Թ’s chancellor, said she continues to be in awe of the artwork in the exhibit. &nbsp;</p> <p>“Let me add my thanks to the artists represented in it and to the staff responsible for all of this,” she told those gathered at the launch. “You have made a very impactful contribution to our academic mission as an institution dedicated to inclusive excellence.”</p> <figure role="group" class="caption caption-drupal-media align-center"> <div> <div class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/scale_image_750_width_/public/2023-12/UofT93714_2023-10-11-Simcoe-Hall-Indigenous-Art-Installation_Polina-Teif-30-crop.jpg?itok=Vds_-QZN" width="750" height="500" alt="&quot;&quot;" class="image-style-scale-image-750-width-"> </div> </div> <figcaption>Artist Catherine Blackburn stands in front of her portrait that’s featured inside 91Թ’s Simcoe Hall (photo by Polina Teif)</figcaption> </figure> <p>Blackburn, a multidisciplinary artist and jeweller who spoke at the event alongside Takpannie, said she feels honoured to be featured alongside some of her favourite artists – but that the installation comes with its challenges.</p> <p>“I’m addressing the effects of a settler institution, in a settler institution” she said. “To have this work celebrated alongside these powerful women is beautiful, and intense. This exhibition is a powerful intervention bound through love, land, resurgence and relationality, and that is worth celebrating.”</p> <figure role="group" class="caption caption-drupal-media align-right"> <div> <div class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/2023-12/2023-10-11-Simcoe-Hall-Indigenous-Art-Installation_Polina-Teif-28-crop.jpg" width="350" height="525" alt="&quot;&quot;"> </div> </div> <figcaption>Artist Catherine Blackburn’s portrait titled <em>But there’s no scar? II</em> is displayed (photo by Polina Teif)</figcaption> </figure> <p>Blackburn’s artwork, titled “But there’s no scar? II,” depicts a kneeling figure, with long, braided hair, who faces away from the viewer and wears a cream-coloured, unsmoked deer hide bearing a bruise stitched in iridescent beadwork.</p> <p>“The original textile work is two-thread applied beadwork, which is the same technique my grandmother would have used when making her garment work,” Blackburn said, adding that beading inspired her to reconnect with her cultural identity.</p> <p>Born in Patuanak, Sask., and a member of the English River First Nation, Blackburn’s work addresses complexities of memory, history and identity connected to her personal narrative.</p> <p>“I speak to personal and familial [trauma] rooted in the residential school system,” she said.</p> <p>“I’m always aware of the tension within my work, constantly interrogating whose voices are present as to avoid generalization because our cultures are so unique.”</p> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-home-page-banner field--type-boolean field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">News home page banner</div> <div class="field__item">Off</div> </div> Tue, 12 Dec 2023 19:54:37 +0000 lanthierj 304909 at In holiday message, President Meric Gertler celebrates community's work on sustainability /news/holiday-message-president-meric-gertler-celebrates-community-s-work-sustainability <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">In holiday message, President Meric Gertler celebrates community's work on sustainability</span> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span>lanthierj</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2023-12-07T07:56:42-05:00" title="Thursday, December 7, 2023 - 07:56" class="datetime">Thu, 12/07/2023 - 07:56</time> </span> <div class="field field--name-field-youtube field--type-youtube field--label-hidden field__item"><figure class="youtube-container"> <iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/BaDJXsSSs9k?wmode=opaque" width="450" height="315" id="youtube-field-player" class="youtube-field-player" title="Embedded video for In holiday message, President Meric Gertler celebrates community's work on sustainability" aria-label="Embedded video for In holiday message, President Meric Gertler celebrates community&amp;#039;s work on sustainability: https://www.youtube.com/embed/BaDJXsSSs9k?wmode=opaque" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> </figure> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-topic field--type-entity-reference field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Topic</div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/topics/our-community" hreflang="en">Our Community</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-story-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/utogether" hreflang="en">UTogether</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/office-president" hreflang="en">Office of the President</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/faculty-staf" hreflang="en">Faculty &amp; Staf</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/alumni" hreflang="en">Alumni</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/current-students" hreflang="en">Current Students</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/holidays" hreflang="en">Holidays</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/president-meric-gertler" hreflang="en">President Meric Gertler</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-subheadline field--type-string-long field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Subheadline</div> <div class="field__item">‘Your scholarship, innovation and leadership are making a huge difference' </div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>In his <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BaDJXsSSs9k">annual holiday message</a> released today, 91Թ President <strong>Meric Gertler </strong>celebrates the work of students, faculty, librarians, staff and alumni to build a “sustainable, equitable and inclusive” future – across the three campuses and around the world.</p> <p>“We’re partnering with remote communities to track and fight climate change, we’re creating clean energy solutions, remediating pollution – and so much more,” <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BaDJXsSSs9k">he says in the video</a>, noting that <a href="/news/u-t-named-most-sustainable-university-world">QS Top Universities recently ranked 91Թ first in the world for sustainability</a>, “recognizing our ability to tackle the world’s greatest environmental, social and governance challenges.”</p> <p>In a year marked by deeply upsetting global events, the president also calls on members of the community to build bridges, foster mutual respect and understanding, and advance the search for peace.</p> <p>“And during the upcoming break, let’s take time to rest and recharge with family and friends,” the president says.</p> <p>“I wish you all the best in the year to come.”</p> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-home-page-banner field--type-boolean field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">News home page banner</div> <div class="field__item">Off</div> </div> Thu, 07 Dec 2023 12:56:42 +0000 lanthierj 304833 at Stealing the show: Conference aimed at event professionals first of its kind on campus /bulletin/stealing-show-conference-aimed-event-professionals-first-its-kind-campus <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Stealing the show: Conference aimed at event professionals first of its kind on campus</span> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span>sungjimi</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2019-03-20T10:27:15-04:00" title="Wednesday, March 20, 2019 - 10:27" class="datetime">Wed, 03/20/2019 - 10:27</time> </span> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>From organizing staff retirement parties to receiving a foreign dignitary on campus, you can bet event planners at the 91Թ have been working hard behind the scenes.</p> <p><a href="https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/u-of-t-event-professionals-day-the-main-event-registration-56118361530">Main Event, an upcoming conference for event planning professionals at 91Թ</a>, is formally bringing together all the internal staff who are involved in organizing events. The April 2 conference is being organized by the Office of the President and will be the first of its kind for the university.</p> <p>“There’s a lot of creativity across the three campuses when it comes to event planning. I think the challenge is meeting the objectives of the local division and also giving it that consistent 91Թ brand,” says <strong>Bryn MacPherson</strong>, assistant vice-president in the Office of the President and chief of protocol.</p> <p>For example, as the chief of protocol, MacPherson often gets questions from staff about how to receive guests or dignitaries in a consistent manner befitting of the university.</p> <p>“I think that’s something many 91Թ event planners are looking for: a way to ensure best practices are shared broadly across the university,” she says.</p> <p><strong>Stevie Asselstine</strong>, manager of donor relations and advancement at the Rotman School of Management, says she’s looking forward to expanding her network at Main Event. Prior to her role at Rotman, where she is the sole alumni event planner, Asselstine worked in the central division of university advancement with a team of six event planners.</p> <p>“A lot of my former DUA coworkers have gone on to other divisions so I know that I can call on them for ideas, which is great, but I know that not everybody has that,” says Asselstine.</p> <p>In addition to networking, Main Event will feature skills development sessions such as speechwriting and will address topics ranging from complying with accessibility standards to managing disruptions from the public. Special guests will include President <strong>Meric Gertler </strong>and Stewart Wheeler, the chief of protocol of Canada, who will deliver the keynote.</p> <p>MacPherson says a newly created 91Թ Event Professionals Group is already prompting conversations among 91Թ staff who are looking to bounce ideas off of their colleagues. The group, run as an Office 365 team, is intended to be a reliable network and community for event planning professionals at the university and will help facilitate interoffice collaboration.</p> <p>“There are conferences and associations outside of the university, but we thought, why not harness the expertise we have within the university and share with one another?” says MacPherson.</p> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-caption field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Stealing the show: Conference aimed at event professionals first of its kind on campus</p> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-featured-picture field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/UofT15354_1113_CRC_UofT015_0.jpg?h=06ac0d8c&amp;itok=YXn7KpT_ 370w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_740/public/UofT15354_1113_CRC_UofT015_0.jpg?h=06ac0d8c&amp;itok=gjVGpGs5 740w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_1110/public/UofT15354_1113_CRC_UofT015_0.jpg?h=06ac0d8c&amp;itok=BtA6CjwM 1110w" sizes="(min-width:1200px) 1110px, (max-width: 1199px) 80vw, (max-width: 767px) 90vw, (max-width: 575px) 95vw" width="740" height="494" src="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/UofT15354_1113_CRC_UofT015_0.jpg?h=06ac0d8c&amp;itok=YXn7KpT_" alt title="Kirsty Duncan, Minister of Science and Sport, speaks to students and faculty during an announcement about investments in the Canada Research Chairs Program, at the 91Թ, November 13, 2018."> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-cutline field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">An on-campus announcement about the Canada Research Chairs program is an example of an event co-ordinated by 91Թ staff. Kirsty Duncan, the federal minister of science and sport, is pictured. Photo by Nick Iwanyshyn</div> <div class="field field--name-field-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden clearfix"> <ul class="links field__items"> <li><a href="/news/tags/bryn-macpherson" hreflang="en">Bryn MacPherson</a></li> <li><a href="/news/tags/main-event" hreflang="en">Main Event</a></li> <li><a href="/news/tags/event-planning-professionals" hreflang="en">Event Planning Professionals</a></li> <li><a href="/news/tags/president-meric-gertler" hreflang="en">President Meric Gertler</a></li> <li><a href="/news/tags/office-president" hreflang="en">Office of the President</a></li> <li><a href="/news/tags/chief-protocol" hreflang="en">Chief of Protocol</a></li> <li><a href="/news/tags/staff" hreflang="en">Staff</a></li> <li><a href="/news/tags/conference" hreflang="en">Conference</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Jenny Rodrigues</div> <div class="field field--name-field-hide field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> Wed, 20 Mar 2019 14:27:15 +0000 sungjimi 155641 at