Who we are
The Cooperative of Indigenous Students Studies & Alumni was established at McMaster University as a means to further promote and support Indigenous peoples, knowledge and culture. We are here to raise awareness of historical and contemporary Indigenous issues, as well as, to further foster a sense of community to all Indigenous students and Indigenous Studies students.
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We achieve this through (1) creating events and workshops to raise awareness of Indigenous issues, promote strength and resilience of Indigenous peoples and share and promote Indigenous knowledge and culture, (2) hosting realistic and tangible fundraisers to enable our group to carry out various projects, workshops and activities, which perpetuate Indigenous core values (including, but not limited to: regeneration, sustainability, Indigenous knowledge and local support) and (3) hosting regular weekly check-ins/meetings and social events to provide opportunities for Indigenous students to connect
The land we are on
McMaster University resides on the traditional territories of the Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabe Nations, on lands protected by the Dish With One Spoon Wampum Agreement.
CISSA works to maintain gratitude and appreciation towards these Nations for taking care of these lands for generations so that we may exist here, while acknowledging our responsibility to uphold the principles of peace, reciprocity, sharing, and community-mindedness, as outlined in the Dish With One Spoon Wampum Agreement.
As an organization run within McMaster University, a colonial institution, we also acknowledge our shared responsibility to address the historic and contemporary acts of violence and exploitation that have occurred and continue to occur against these lands and the Indigenous and Black peoples who call these lands home or have been displaced from their homelands, at the hands of the colonial government and Canadian society.