Executive-in-Residence Shares Indigenous Teachings at Schulich
This week, the Schulich School of Business held a workshop and traditional Indigenous smudging ceremony to honour Canada’s third annual National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. The ceremony is one of the activities that Schulich is initiating as part of its ongoing journey towards greater awareness, integrated inclusivity, and meaningful reconciliation.
The event was facilitated by Kristin Murray, Schulich’s Executive-in-Residence for Indigenous Initiatives, and a proud member of Chapleau Cree First Nation.
“When people leave this space with new knowledge, they may take a little chunk and share it with someone else,” said Murray. “That’s why I am passionate about my work at Schulich. To know that our stories will benefit others is beautiful.”
Murray introduced attendees to the significance, context, and symbolism behind the smudging ceremony. She shared personal stories about her experience with smudging and spoke about the qualities of the four sacred medicines. After the workshop, attendees had the opportunity to participate in a smudge around the Busy Beaver sculpture in the McEwen building courtyard.
“By sharing teachings as both an Indigenous and Black woman, Sacred Eagle Woman (Kristin Murray) reminds us of how deeply connected these two communities are. Acknowledging the complexities of our intersecting identifies, shared practices can only bring us closer together”, said Professor Carl James, the Jean Augustine Chair in Education, Community and Diaspora in the Faculty of Education and attendee.
“We see this event as a starting point for a host of events, activities, and changes we plan to implement over the next few months,” said Schulich Dean Detlev Zwick. “Thank you to everyone for being part of today’s session. Thank you for participating in the process that the University needs to continue on Truth and Reconciliation”.
To read the Dean’s message on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation please click here.
To see larger photos from the event, please click here.