FNUniv President Calls for Action on Anti-Indigenous Racism at 2026 NIUSLA Summit

November 6, 2026

First Nations University of Canada (FNUniv) President Dr. Jacqueline Ottmann delivered opening remarks at the 2026 National Indigenous University Senior Leaders’ Association (NIUSLA) Summit, held November 3–4 at Simon Fraser University’s First Peoples Gathering House in Burnaby, British Columbia.

The two-day gathering, Gathering for Change: Dismantling Anti-Indigenous Racism in Post-Secondary Education, brought together Indigenous leaders, educators, scholars and policymakers from across Canada to examine systemic racism in higher education and explore meaningful approaches to institutional change.

In her remarks, Dr. Ottmann emphasized the importance of integrating anti-racist principles into post-secondary policies, practices and decision-making. She also highlighted the responsibility of educational institutions to confront residential school denialism, uphold historical truths and challenge misinformation within academia and broader society.

Her opening address helped set the tone for discussions throughout the Summit, which featured keynote presentations by Dr. Marcia Anderson and Dr. Verna St. Denis, alongside sessions examining institutional barriers, Indigenous leadership and accountability.

A panel discussion on residential school denialism further explored the role of universities in advancing truth-telling and strengthening public understanding of Canada’s colonial history.

The Summit provided an opportunity for post-secondary leaders to share perspectives, examine existing institutional practices and identify approaches to creating more equitable and inclusive learning environments for Indigenous students, faculty and staff.

Insights and recommendations from the gathering are intended to inform a national report supporting continued efforts to address anti-Indigenous racism across Canada’s post-secondary sector.