Advocacy

These recommendations are summarized from the report. To see the full recommendations as they are originally worded, see the full report here.

Recommendation	Status
The UASU shall advocate for increased access to childcare services at the U of A.	Substantially complete. Winter 2021 saw significant improvements to student childcare access, as well as federal advocacy priority traction and childcare barrier reduction for elected positions.
The UASU shall increase advocacy for the implementation of mandatory Indigenous course content.	Perpetual priority. As one example, in September 2022 the University provided a requested inventory of this content at a course-by-course level across faculties, and committed to further progress.
The UASU shall continue to advocate for the building of the Maskwa House of Learning.	Perpetual priority. UASU Execs have brought this priority to operational budget meetings, the Board of Governors, and the provincial government, and secured much but not all of the necessary funding commitment.
The UASU shall engage in consultation with surrounding First Nations communities.	Perpetual priority. The UASU engages with local communities for events like the Residential School Memorial.
The UASU shall support relationship-building with surrounding Indigenous communities.	Perpetual priority. Staff and student leader involvement in TAWOW and regular KAIROS blanket exercises.
The UASU shall advocate for an increase in support for Indigenous student services on all campuses.	Perpetual priority. UASU Execs have advocated to the Board of Governors and the Senate. VP Student Life has brought this priority to working groups and advisory committees. President has secured relevant commitments from Office of the Dean of Students.
The UASU shall advocate for the creation of a dedicated Indigenous student gathering space at Campus Saint-Jean.	Substantially complete. Commitments secured in 2022/23.
The UASU shall increase its advocacy towards the federal government on issues of Indigenous post-secondary funding.	Substantially complete. Increased long-term federal advocacy has led to funding commitments and establishment of Indigenous representation at CASA.
The UASU shall encourage the U of A to conduct a renewed Indigenous Student Success Survey.	Substantially complete. At the SU's urging, the survey ran in Winter 2021, and the survey report became available during the 2022/23 school year.
The UASU shall advocate that all faculties provide Indigenous-specific advising positions.	Significant effort. Execs have repeatedly brought this issue to University administration and the Academic Restructuring Working Group.
The UASU shall advocate for a centralized website for all information pertinent to Indigenous students.	Substantially complete. The renewed Indigenous Initiatives website gathers all pertinent resources.
The UASU shall advocate that plaques be placed narrating art that depicts racist and colonial violence.	Significant effort. Executives have brought this issue to the Board of Governors, the Senate, and appropriate senior administration.
The UASU shall aid Aboriginal Student Council in securing a sustainable funding model.	Substantially complete. UASU now collects a fee from students to fund ASC (now the Indigenous Student Union (ISU)).
The UASU shall advocate for financial, housing, and job opportunities for Indigenous students.	Perpetual priority. Student advocacy has factored into increased funding in federal and provincial budgets. VP Academic advocated to GFC Executive Committee. SU played a role in Ancillary Services report on housing for students who parent.
The UASU shall advocate for increased accessible and online learning for off-campus students.	Perpetual priority. VP Academics have brought this issue to Admin, both before and during the pandemic. Quality of accessible remote learning is a core advocacy issue, leading to developments like 50+ hybrid lecture theatres.
The UASU shall advocate for the creation of a visual identity for First Nations students and alumni.	Significant effort. Research conducted. Issue raised with Senate and Board of Governors. Potential artists identified.
The UASU shall advocate for the creation and implementation of an Indigenous achievement strategic plan.	Substantially complete. Strategic plan fully available as of 2022/23.
The UASU shall write an open letter stating its condemnation of racism and discrimination.	Substantially complete. Letter was finalized and released.
The UASU shall advocate for campus services to offer programs or services in support of Indigenous students.	Perpetual priority. UASU Execs have raised this issue with Office of the Dean of Students regarding specific services.
The UASU shall advocate that Residence Services hire Indigenous students for Indigenous programmer positions.	Substantially complete. VP Student Life advocated to University administration, who resumed hiring FNMI students. UASU will revisit the issue if Residence Services repeats the error in the future.

Phone

780-492-4241

Students' Union Executive and Administrative Offices
Room 2-900
Students' Union Building
University of Alberta
8900 - 114 Street NW
Edmonton, AB
T6G 2J7