In recent weeks there have been incidents of messages on the Internet and graffiti in the washrooms that have attacked or insulted members of the Indigenous community. I am sure we all deplore these actions.

It runs counter to our respectful workplace policies and certainly to the historical values of our institution. I want to express my apologies to those who were aggrieved, and want to confirm that these matters have been taken very seriously by both me and the senior administration of the University.

In the forthcoming weeks there will a special seminar offered by Wab Kinew, Director of Indigenous Inclusion, which will open to all members of the University community. As well, Human Resources will be revising the Respectful Workplace Policy and will be holding mandatory, campus wide workshops.

I welcome further suggestions on how to promote an open, tolerant, and inclusive institution and how to support these concepts within the broader community.