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COMMUNITY ursday, September 14, 2023 | MEET UNIVERSITY © OF WATERLOO'S J] NEW DIRECTOR OF 2 INDIGENOUS 3 RELATIONS LORAINE CENTENO acenteno@metroland.com Melissa Star Ireland is the new director of Indige- nous relations at the Uni- versity of Waterloo. Prior to this post, Ireland worked as part of the Indigenous relations and outreach team at Qualia Counselling Services and as director of Indigenous initiatives at Wilfrid Laurier University. TELL US ABOUT WHAT YOU DO/YOUR CALL- ING? WHY IS THAT YOUR PASSION? Yellow Onion Bag 10Ib insidehalton.com Long Hot Pepper ‘IT'S IMPORTANT TO BUILD RELATIONSHIPS’ "Tm newly in the role oft director, In- dig rela- tions “at the Uni- tion, inclusion, and anti-op- pression, ich was not happening at this level 20 years ago during my time as an undergraduate. Asan alumnus of the university, I'm thrilled to be back on campus and able to use my acquired skills and gifts to connect with others while working to lead strategic initiatives, and implemen- tation which will remove barriers for Indigenous Peoples as well as work to Melissa Star Ireland is the new director of Indig¢ at the University of Waterloo. address some of the ongo- that are Melissa istered oto tures." Q: WHAT'S ONE THING ABOUT YOUR NEW JOB THAT YOU ARE EX- CITED ABOUT? A: "The University's Office a Indigenous Relations has just created its Indige- nous strategic plan. I'm excited to support this im- portant work by helping to launch the plan, as well as growth within faculties, departments, and aca- demic support units that ‘king with a reate practical and accessible approach- es to Indigenous inclusion is adream job." a TEL His wnat DRIVES YOU. nity me. vironment with the ‘indig canallowroom for Positive still occurring ing legacies of colonialism within systems and struc- Cauliflower i Mooli with Leaf o TAR Bes Long Squash spaces of ceptance. I am thrilled to be working in an environ- ment where I do not have to check my Indigenous i Head lettuce identity a at (the) door, andI expel rience for caerae Q: IF NON-INDIGENOUS CANADI- ANS LEARN ONE THING ABOUT IN- DIGENOUS HISTORY THIS MONTH, WHAT SHOULD THAT BE? at hone Indigenous peo- ove through rer ‘earning not only with their mind, but through their hearts and actions, real change is mint et, folks ‘to come out to also engage the heart by at- tending events or activi- ties hosted by Indigs enous and “eatonsips It's impor- im build relationships to understand where the needs are." ‘SCAN THIS CODE for more Truth through Storytelling Orange No le. id llustratione, All sales are final, No exchange or on products in this Ther Commercial resale of our pene mentioned ig ye scenes Te rst val production