NEWS RELEASE
ALGOMA UNIVERSITY
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Algoma University is honoured to welcome the Colombian Minister of Equality and Equity, Carlos Rosero, along with a delegation of Indigenous and Afro-descendant leaders, during their visit to Sault Ste. Marie from May 18 to 22.
The delegation will be hosted by the Institute of Peoples, Territories and Pedagogies for Peace (IPTP) along with Algoma University’s Faculty of Cross-Cultural Studies (FCCS), Shingwauk Kinoomaage Gamig (SKG), the Robinson Huron Waawiindamaagewin, the African Caribbean Canadian Association of Northern Ontario (ACCANO), NORDIK Institute, and other partner organizations in Northern Ontario.
This visit sets out to strengthen organizational, institutional, and academic partnerships involving the IPTP, Algoma University, the Colombian Ministry, and allied organizations in both Canada and Colombia. It reflects a shared commitment to advancing common goals in decolonial education, as well as community economic development, environmental justice and governance, and self-determination.
“We are very excited to host the Minister of Equality and Equity, and a team of dedicated Indigenous and Afrocolombian leaders,” shared Dr. Sheila Gruner, Director of the IPTP, a faculty member within Algoma University’s FCCS and Associate Researcher at NORDIK Institute.
“These are leaders who have been involved in land defence, justice, and transformative initiatives on the front lines for many decades, and who see enormous value in the developing relationships with Anishnaabe and Afro-descendant peoples in Northern Ontario. This type of partnership wields great potential to position our communities to be on the cutting edge of change projects, to be on the right side of history during trying times, and to inspire our students and faculty members to take up the challenges we collectively face at a planetary level.”
Building on previous delegations and exchanges involving Indigenous and Afro-descendant leaders, educators, land defenders, and peace-builders in Bolivia, Canada, and Colombia, this initiative furthers a growing movement of global collaboration and knowledge-sharing, addressing determinants of conflict and the intergenerational effects of colonialism. This visit advances Algoma University’s commitment to cross-cultural education, supporting global learning, and pushes forward the goals of Algoma University's Special Mission.
The visit will include a welcome brunch on May 19 hosted at Shingwauk Kinoomaage Gamig, followed by a reception and public talk on May 21. Minister Rosero has also been invited to attend the Robinson Huron Treaty Chiefs Assembly from May 20-21.
Members of the community are welcome to attend the public talk on Wednesday, May 21, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Algoma University North Wing (NW) 200.
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