Join us in building Indigenous House at UTSC

The University of Toronto Scarborough is seeking philanthropic support to finalize the construction of a one-of-a-kind building, Indigenous House.

Read more about this landmark building project and design.

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Breaking ground in 2021, Indigenous House will set a bold new standard for urgently-needed Indigenous inclusion, access and equity at the University of Toronto. This intentional space-making was designed in close consultation with Indigenous stakeholders across U of T’s campuses and community service organizations, with a goal of increasing participation of Indigenous students, staff, faculty and community members in the life of postsecondary education.

Indigenous House is a response to the 94 calls-to-action outlined by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. This unique building will provide a safe, culturally-relevant space for communities to gather, to celebrate and to practice Indigenous cultures and Ways of Knowing. Representing an important and much-needed step forward on the path to Reconciliation, Indigenous House will be the fullest expression of, and most highly visible hub, by which Indigeneity will extend across the UTSC campus.

Alongside its breathtaking architecture - designed by architect Alfred Waugh, a member of the Fond Du Lac Denesuline Nation of Saskatchewan - Indigenous House will play a crucial role in developing and supporting Indigenous-focused and truly inclusive educational programming and curricula, potentially supporting programs such as the VILLAGE (Valuing Indigenous Learning Leadership and Academic Growth in Education) pathway program and the Indigenous Languages revitalization project - an area of growing strength at UTSC.

Indigenous House will be a vital connection point between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities from across the eastern GTA as it creates innumerable opportunities to celebrate and learn about Indigenous Knowledges, history, culture and art. Community partnerships will flourish with the ability to hold on-site gatherings, ceremonies and Learning Circles, and with on-site Elders’ offices and an Elder’s garden, opportunities are created in which the sharing of tactile and experiential Indigenous Ways of Knowing with generations of Indigenous and non-Indigenous individuals and communities can occur.

 

“If you’re an Indigenous person [on the path of post-secondary education] you need help. You need security. You need people around you that can help you. It is very, very important for Indigenous people to have that Indigenous house to keep you grounded.”

– Naulaq LeDrew, Inuit Knowledge Keeper and Indigenous House Committee member

 

“For some of our youth, thinking about going to a university as prestigious as the University of Toronto that seems out of reach for them. By creating this open opportunity where they can meet the staff, meet with elders and knowledge keepers, even run into students who - just like them - maybe didn’t know that this was available and that this was an attainable and achievable goal for them? It’s motivating, and it provides hope.”

- Native Child and Family Services of Toronto

 

Download the Indigenous House Case for Support

Available naming opportunities can be found here

 

Join us in bringing this breathtaking, unique and vitally-needed building to life, and help make our campus a welcoming place for Indigenous students, faculty and staff. Make a gift today to help us reach our goal of raising the final $3.5 million of a $12.5 million project cost to complete Indigenous House. A number of naming opportunities are listed below.

Donate online here. 

For more ways to donate to Indigenous House, or more information on how to become a part of this project, please contact Lisa Lemon, Executive Director, Development & Alumni Relations, at: lisa.lemon@utoronto.ca or: 416-208-5104

 

Top image: Indigenous House, Southern Exterior (Formline Architecture); Bottom: Indigenous House, first floor plan with naming opportunities (Formline Architecture)

 

Indigenous House Naming Opportunities

Large Ceremonial Gathering Place

$1,500,000

Atrium (first and second floors)

$1,000,000

Small Gathering Room

$500,000

Library

$500,000

Multi-Purpose Room

$250,000

Lounge

$200,000

Gallery

$150,000

Feature Stair 

$100,000

Meeting Room (2)

$50,000

Elder Office (2)

$50,000

 

 

Terrace

$150,000

Children’s Play Area

$ 100,000

Outdoor Kitchen

$ 100,000

Gardens (8)

$20,000 - $100,000 (based on size and location)

 

 

Recognition Installation

Donations under $10,000 will be listed on an installation within Indigenous House