February is Inclusive Education Month in Canada, and over the past weeks, I have been reflecting on what I have observed at Humber in my first six months, and my own personal commitment to creating inclusive spaces and experiences.

Inclusion is a principle we strive to embed in every aspect of what we do at Humber College. It is integral to our  Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Framework and Strategy that is helping to shape the College and its future.

For me, inclusion is not enough. I believe we must strive to ensure that everyone feels a sense of belonging. Belonging in the classroom, outside the classroom, as students, as colleagues and as members of our communities. A true sense of belonging enables people to know that they matter and that they are all valued within our community.
 
Fostering inclusion and belonging requires constant work. You can’t check a box and say we have accomplished this and move on. Each day, we all have a role to play in how our spaces and interactions make community members feel welcome and supported.

One of the truly amazing things about Humber is our diversity. February is Black History Month, and the Black Heritage 365 Committee and Black Student Support and Engagement team have organized several events and activities for the Humber community. I thank them for all their efforts.

Our recognition and celebration of the Black communities’ histories and accomplishments shouldn’t be limited to one month. It is something that Humber must celebrate year-round. While I have a sense of some of the micro-aggressions and other forms of racism faced by Humber’s Black community members, and the actions we have taken through the EDI Framework and the Centre for Human Rights, Equity and Inclusion, I am interested in understanding what more we can do to ensure that Black students, colleagues and community are valued and supported.

Inclusion and belonging are critical indicators of engagement. And we know that an engaged community is a vibrant learning community. A focus on inclusion and belonging doesn’t mean that we will always agree. In fact, inclusion allows for more diverse views and lived experiences to be shared. That diversity allows us to learn, grow and transform.

I am thankful that Humber provides opportunities and room for people to learn. It is through learning that we can enhance our understanding. Both of those actions – learning and understanding – are key to strengthening inclusion and belonging.  

I have seen us learn as we give land acknowledgements; in which we take the time to reflect on what that action means to us on a personal level. It is not about providing a land acknowledgement to say that we have done it. It is about treating each one as an important opportunity to reflect on our human connection and our shared journey towards reconciliation. Every acknowledgement has been different, and I have learned something from each. I have also learned the importance of Mino Nawendiwin (good relations) as a key part of belonging.

This month, ECE students from Humber and University of Guelph-Humber have undertaken a campaign as part of ‘Have a Heart’ Day. Their goal is to collect 3,000 messages from our community members advocating for First Nations to have equal opportunity to access health services and education. They plan to send these messages written on hearts to the Prime Minister. I am proud and support their advocacy.

While the college is taking meaningful steps to ensure that our equity-deserving students and employees feel included and welcomed, we know that there is more work to be done. Humber’s commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging must be at the core of our planning and priorities. As we make decisions or take actions, we need to be mindful of their impacts on the members of our diverse community. It is imperative that we continue to recognize barriers to inclusion and make it a priority to dismantle them in all their forms.  

During Inclusive Education month, and throughout the year, I encourage us to reflect on how we can act to create inclusive spaces, be a force for positive change and come together to advance equity, justice and a sense of belonging for all.  

AMV