Gee-Gees women’s rugby a reconciliation leader in Ottawa

OTTAWA—Gather around for a good news story. It’s about the University of Ottawa’s women’s rugby team, the Gee-Gees. The team has spent some serious time considering its path to push reconciliation, and the truth is that it has a great opportunity. After speaking with Indigenous peoples in the community, the team decided to do something for Orange Shirt Day, but to do it early to avoid taking emphasis away from Indigenous-led events on the actual day. So it was on Sept. 24 that the Gee-Gees took to the field against the Bishop’s University Gaiters. But it was all the activity surrounding the game that was worth the gold. First, some context. Most universities have done some work to put the action into reconciliation, and some have found that this is more difficult than expected. Reconciliation in universities covers a large swath of areas of change: deepen cultural competence in all teaching and support staff; show respect for Indigenous knowledge systems with real inclusion in all teaching programs; increase the number of Indigenous student graduates, professors, and staff; build real relationships with Indigenous communities; and ensure Indigenous community benefit. This isn’t a project of tweaks around the edges—this is transformative work that requires committed leadership. Algonquin Elder Claudette Commanda, pictured Aug. 30, 2022, giving a blessing to open an announcement on behalf of Minister of Canadian Heritage, Pablo Rodriguez, at the Royal Canadian Geographical Society in Ottawa for funding of projects to commemorate the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade The University of Ottawa has an Indigenous Action Plan and is starting its reconciliation journey with the support of its Mashkawazìwogamig Indigenous Resource Centre. Then there’s the Indigenous Law Student Governance, which is a growing force in the law sector for Indigenous knowledges about justice. And the faculty of medicine’s recent Centre for Indigenous Health Research and Education. And most recently, the university named Elder Claudette Commanda as chancellor. There is evidence here of a systematic approach to transform the university to honour the first caretakers of the land upon which it sits. The game’s halftime performances included hoop dancer Celina Cada-Matasawagon, who displayed some serious athletic ability. Photograph courtesy of Greg Kolz Back to the Gee-Gees/Gaiters game. There were so many things that the rugby team did on this day that are examples of how to do reconciliation with authenticity. The team reached out to the Indigenous Resource Centre to partner on this special day. The team listened to and followed the suggestions of its partners to ensure appropriate compensation and recognition was invested into Indigenous community. The team took to the field in their orange shirts, the ones they have worn every September since 2020. The halftime performances included throat singers Annie Aningmiuq and Tracy Sarazin from Nunavut, and hoop dancer Celina Cada-Matasawagon from Sheshegwaning First Nation. They recognize this event as the beginning of an ongoing commitment to relationship-building and learning. Rugby fans were shown the beauty and strength of Indigenous cultures, a celebration of all the knowledge that underpins the arts of throat-singing and hoop dancing. Hoop dancing involves some serious athletic ability, and hoops—symbols of the circle of life—is the dance about how all things are connected. In the lead up to Sept. 30, the decision was made to celebrate Indigenous Peoples at the game with knowledge that the coming week could be difficult for Indigenous Peoples. There will be other times to focus on the truth of residential schools. There was something so impactful about the halftime performance, as the teams stayed out to witness the singing and dancing. They stood in a semi-circle on the field and modelled the respect and humility of adults learning more to do better. This is reconciliation. Unity of the team to work together to make an impact for reconciliation. Ensuring Indigenous community buy-in and benefit. Honouring the skill and art of Indigenous Peoples. Take the time to listen quietly. Bring others along with you. This is a gold-medal learning opportunity on how to do reconciliation. Follow the lead of the Gee-Gees women’s rugby team. Rose LeMay is Tlingit from the West Coast and the CEO of the Indigenous Reconciliation Group. She writes twice a month about Indigenous inclusion and reconciliation. In Tlingit worldview, the stories are the knowledge system, sometimes told through myth and sometimes contradicting the myths told by others. But always with at least some truth. The Hill Times