As many people are aware, on June 3rd, 2021, a bill creating a statutory holiday for Federal employees received royal assent. This holiday was created to commemorate the tragic legacy of residential schools, a painful part of Canadian history that significantly impacts Indigenous people and communities – and all of us – to this day.

Whether the provincial government or any institution, including Humber, designates this day as a day away from work, the fact remains that September 30th is also recognized as Orange Shirt Day, which is an important opportunity for the Indigenous community to gather, reflect and commemorate the loss of children and the acts of attempted cultural genocide that devastated families and communities. This day also provides an opportunity for many others to sit with the impact it has on all of us as we seek a society that is caring, respectful and loving for us all.

Humber College is committed to recognizing and celebrating Indigenous cultures, histories, and Knowledges throughout the year in our academic programming, events, professional development, and other initiatives. This work is led by the Department of Indigenous Education and Engagement (IE&E) and guided by Humber’s Indigenous Education Advisory Council. It is something we all need to participate in through ongoing, genuine, caring and empathetic ways of learning and recognizing the legacy of residential schools. As the 2021 Colleges and Institutes of Canada Gold Medal recipient for Indigenous Education Excellence, Humber provides opportunities to learn about and build understanding of the impact and legacy of residential schools in Canada, all year round.

So what can you do?

It is the work of all Canadians to understand the impacts of residential schools, the policies that created the conditions for the devastation of Indigenous cultures and communities, and the ways that Indigenous peoples are driving a resurgence that will write, and right, the future of our country. The negative impacts on Indigenous cultures have been experienced for generations, and it will require a multigenerational commitment from all Canadians to change this. For more information about how Humber contributes to your own opportunities to learn, please visit the Humber Indigenous Education and Engagement website.

As the college will be open on September 30th, we ask that you support Indigenous staff and students who may want to gather and participate in broader community events, or do what they need to do to commemorate the multigenerational impacts of residential schools.

Approaching September 30th, there are several events and learning opportunities that will be taking place specifically intended to commemorate this new federal statutory holiday and Orange Shirt Day.

The current list of planned initiatives is below:

• On September 27 at 6 p.m., IE&E will discuss the 2016 Indigenous documentary “Colonization Road.” In the film, activist Ryan McMahon discusses histories of colonialism with Indigenous historians, researchers and policy makers who provide history, context and solutions moving forward into the future.
   
• On September 28, 2021 at 1 p.m., the Centre for Human Rights, Equity & Inclusion, in collaboration with the Indigenous Education & Engagement department, is pleased to invite the Humber Community to the upcoming Equity and Inclusion Dialogue virtual session about the importance of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Additional event and registration information is on the Eventbrite page - we ask that you ensure that all staff are provided the opportunity to participate.
   
• On September 30, all flags at Humber will be lowered in honour of the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation and to commemorate the tragic legacy of residential schools.

Leading up to September 30, a number of messages and initiatives will be posted on Humber’s social media channels, including opportunities for students and employees to get their own orange shirt for Orange Shirt Day. Students and employees are encouraged to post a photo of themselves wearing an orange shirt on September 30 on social media and/or upload it to the Orange Shirt Day website.

As this is a new holiday, we will continue meaningful discussions with a wide range of Humber/Guelph-Humber community members to find new ways to observe this critical holiday in future years.

Enhancing Institutional EDI Knowledge of Disability and Academic Accessibility 

• Creating accessible documents present considerations beyond how the content is laid out on a page. 

• Readability and comprehension by a wide audience – including persons with sensory impairments or learning disabilities – is important so your document needs to work well with screen reading software. 

• Rather than retrofitting existing course materials to address accessibility after challenges arise, it is best to create content that is accessible from the start. 

Visit our ALS Information for Faculty website to learn more about creating accessible documents. 

Humber’s Teaching + Learning Support Centre also has a robust range of resources and workshops on creating accessible courses and materials, along with instructions on how to create and caption videos through Panopto. They also offer a 3-part Digital Documents Accessibility training series.

Please email us at accessible-learning@humber.ca with suggestions for key accessibility-related topics that you would like us to address through the Communiqué.

As we conclude the first week of the fall term, we wanted to provide an update on the requirements to access college facilities.

Since September 7, everyone accessing college facilities has been required to complete the screening tool on the Humber Guardian app and confirm that they are fully vaccinated or have proof of a recent negative COVID-19 test.

Checklist reminder:

• Complete the vaccination declaration
• Bring and wear your mask
• Complete the daily screening questionnaire on the Guardian App
• Show your code
• Show photo ID and proof of vaccination or proof of a negative COVID-19 test

Beginning on September 20, anyone coming to campus must show the result of their screening (Green QR code) on the Guardian app and either proof of full vaccination or a recent negative test result to access Humber campuses and facilities.

Below please find details of these requirements based on your individual circumstances.

You are fully vaccinated

• Proof of vaccination will need to be provided in order to access campus. This can be done with a hard copy or email receipt of vaccination.  

You are partially vaccinated and are intending to become fully vaccinated by Saturday, October 18, 2021

• Until you are fully vaccinated, proof of a negative COVID-19 test will need to be shown to access campus. This can be done with a hard copy or email result of the negative test taken within the 72 hours prior to attending campus or Humber facilities. Valid proof of a negative COVID-19 test (PCR or rapid antigen) must clearly show the individual’s name, type of COVID-19 test performed, date and time of the test, and the negative result.

Not intending to become vaccinated/Requesting an exemption 

• Pending the approval of an exemption, you may continue to access college facilities for the time being provided that you show proof of a recent negative COVID-19 test upon entry. This can be done with a hard copy or email result of the negative test taken within the 72 hours prior to attending campus or Humber facilities. Valid proof of a negative COVID-19 test (PCR or rapid antigen) must clearly show the individual’s name, type of COVID-19 test performed, date and time of the test, and the negative result. If an exemption is approved and your on-campus learning or work is accommodated, you will need to continue to provide proof of a negative test taken within 72 hours of each visit to campus.
• Exemption forms will begin to be issued the week of September 13.

On-Site Rapid Antigen Testing 

On-site Rapid Antigen Testing is now offered free of charge to staff and students who need to provide proof of a negative test in order to access Humber campuses and facilities. Below are important details related to testing:

• Students and staff will be able to access testing at these sites free of charge. Appointments can be made by visiting the testing clinic scheduling site. Please note that the booking system that was linked in previous communication experienced some technical difficulties. Please use this new booking site link.
• Walk-ins will not be accepted and cannot be accommodated.
• Same day appointments may not be available, so please plan ahead and book an appointment within 72 hours of each time you need to be on campus.
• Rapid testing is also available at many pharmacies for a fee.

Testing locations are:  

North Campus  
Barrett Centre for Technology Innovation  
205 Humber College Blvd., Etobicoke  
Main Floor, Demonstration Room (CTI 108)  
7:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.  

Lakeshore Campus 
Fashion Institute  
3166 Lake Shore Blvd. West, Etobicoke  
FAS 102  
7:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. 

For more information on health and safety measures and what you need to know before coming to campus, please visit humber.ca/campus-return and humber.ca/campus-return/vaccination-information.

I am very pleased to announce and welcome Audrey Wubbenhorst, Faculty Representative from the Faculty of Media and Creative Arts and Joe Markovic, Support Staff Representative from the Faculty of Applied Sciences and Technology to Humber’s Board of Governors for a three-year term commencing September 2021.

Nancy Brennan
Office of the Board of Governors