Reduced Inequalities

Recognizing equality needs to underpin every aspect of sustainability if the Sustainable Development Goals are to be successfully advanced, Lakehead University has a longstanding commitment to social justice, to access and equity to postsecondary education. Since its inception, Lakehead’s approach to accessible post-secondary education has focused not only on supporting students to get to university, but also on the ongoing provision of supports to help students achieve their academic potential while at university. Lakehead University has made an explicit commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion, and is actively partnering to advance research and knowledge exchange in this area.

COMMITMENT TO EQUITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

While progress has been made over the past few decades, Lakehead University recognizes that there is more we can – and must – do to truly achieve inclusive excellence throughout our society, including throughout all parts of our University community.

Lakehead University has made an explicit commitment to the Universities Canada Inclusive Excellence Principles, and remains committed to being an active champion of equity, diversity and inclusion on our campuses, in our communities and across the country.

This includes the establishment of the University’s Office of Human Rights and Equity ("OHRE"), which operates as an arms-length office of Lakehead, and promotes and protects the human rights of students, faculty, and staff at Lakehead University by building and fostering an equitable, diverse, and inclusive university community.

These commitments are further articulated in Accessing Excellence Together, the University’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan (2019-2024).

More information on the Universities Canada Inclusive Excellence Principles can be found here.

More information on Lakehead University’s Office of Human Rights and Equity can be found here.

More information on Lakehead University’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan can be found here.

COMMITMENT TO ADDRESS THE TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION COMMISSION CALLS FOR ACTION AND UNIVERSITIES CANADA PRINCIPLES ON INDIGENOUS EDUCATION

Lakehead University’s Strategic and Academic Plans both include commitments to continue to address the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls for Action and Universities Canada Principles on Indigenous Education.

We recognize the role and responsibility we have in honouring multiple knowledges, and in creating a deeper and wider understanding of ways of knowing: in teaching, research and campus spaces. Lakehead University is engaging our internal community, and members of the communities we serve, in discussions and education related to reconciliation and decolonization. Lakehead University includes Indigenous content in the curriculum of every degree program. And Lakehead University remains committed to supporting access to postsecondary education for Indigenous learners.

Lakehead University’s goal is to create a model of reconciliation through education, in which all members of the internal university community and members of the external community work together on a reconciliation process that weaves together the diversity of cultures, colours, languages, knowledge bases, and art across our institution.

More information on Lakehead’s work to address the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action can be found here.

More information on Indigenous initiatives at Lakehead University can be found here.