NIUSLA Summit 2025: Honouring Indigenous Knowledges at Canadian Universities

Regina, SK – The National Indigenous University Senior Leaders’ Association (NIUSLA) will host the NIUSLA Summit 2025: Honouring Indigenous Knowledges at Canadian Universities on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, in Regina, Saskatchewan. This one-day gathering will bring together Indigenous university senior leaders from across Canada to exchange ideas, share best practices, and discuss strategies for embedding Indigenous knowledges and governance within post-secondary institutions.

As Indigenous perspectives continue to shape the future of higher education, this summit will serve as a critical space for university decision-makers, educators, and scholars to engage in meaningful conversations about reconciliation, systemic change, and institutional commitments to Indigenous communities. Through keynote presentations, panel discussions, and interactive sessions, participants will explore key issues such as Indigenization, accountability in reconciliation, and strengthening relationships between universities and Indigenous communities.

The NIUSLA Summit 2025 will take place ahead of the National Building Reconciliation Forum, scheduled for May 14 to 15, 2025, a collaborative initiative co-hosted by the First Nations University of Canada (FNUniv), the University of Regina (U of R), and Universities Canada. Together, these events will foster dialogue between Indigenous and non-Indigenous academic leaders, building stronger partnerships and advancing reconciliation efforts within Canada’s higher education system.

Event Highlights

• Keynote Address: Métis educator, writer, and activist Chelsea Vowel will start the day with “Indigenization: EDI on the Keemooch?” This session will explore Indigenization’s role in decolonial efforts within academia, amidst rising political hostility towards Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI). It will examine what distinguishes Indigenization from EDI and how it may be susceptible to political animus.

• Collaborative Sessions: Featuring Indigenous scholars and leaders, including Dr. Jacqueline Ottmann (President, FNUniv and NUISLA Executive Member), Dr. Shauneen Pete (NIUSLA Executive Member), and Dr. David Newhouse (Academic Leader in Indigenous Governance), covering topics such as developing Indigenous strategies, measuring accountability in reconciliation, and advancing Indigenization in post-secondary education.
• Panel Discussions: NIUSLA members will share experiences and insights on implementing Indigenous strategies, fostering systemic change, and strengthening institutional commitments to Indigenous communities.

A special thank you to the Mastercard Foundation for its generous support in strengthening NIUSLA’s capacity to drive meaningful impact across the post-secondary education system. This partnership is helping NIUSLA foster connections among senior Indigenous leaders, advance Indigenization, reconciliation, and decolonization efforts, and ensure long-term sustainability. Additionally, NIUSLA is developing tools to track and document progress and impact, reinforcing its role in shaping systemic change in higher education.

“The NIUSLA Summit 2025 will provide a space for Indigenous university leaders to discuss the challenges and opportunities in embedding Indigenous knowledges, perspectives, and governance in post-secondary institutions,” said Dr. Jacqueline Ottmann, President of the First Nations University of Canada. “By bringing together Indigenous leaders and decision-makers, this summit will strengthen relationships, enhance institutional commitments, and drive meaningful reconciliation efforts in higher education.”

This summit is an unparalleled opportunity to engage with leaders and peers dedicated to advancing Indigenous knowledges in Canadian universities. Be part of the conversation shaping the future of Indigenous education and reconciliation in Canada.

For more information and to register, please visit NIUSLA Summit 2025 website or contact Maria Morrison.

Media Contact:
Maria Morrison
Project Manager, NIUSLA
mmorrison@firstnationsuniversity.ca

We look forward to welcoming you to the NIUSLA Summit 2025 and fostering meaningful dialogue and action towards integrating Indigenous knowledge into our educational institutions.

About NIUSLA

The National Indigenous University Senior Leaders’ Association (NIUSLA) unites Indigenous senior leaders from universities across Canada to advance Indigenous governance, leadership, and reconciliation in post-secondary education. NIUSLA fosters collaboration, advocates for systemic change, and supports Indigenous student success and faculty development. The association works with universities, governments, and Indigenous communities to strengthen Indigenous inclusion in academia. For more information, visit: www.fnuniv.ca/about-us/niusla.
About FNUniv:
Established in 1976, the First Nations University of Canada (FNUniv) is Canada’s only national First Nations-owned Indigenous post-secondary institution. FNUniv is a unique place of higher learning that specializes in Indigenous Education for Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples of all cultural backgrounds. FNUniv’s vision is to have a transformative impact by bridging Indigenous ceremonies, knowledge keepers, languages, and traditions with the delivery of high-quality post-secondary education. For more information, please visit www.fnuniv.ca.

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