Best of CASE District VIII Award
 

Institution: University of Alberta

Title of entry: Braiding Past, Present, Future: University of Alberta Indigenous Strategic Plan

About this entry: Braiding Past, Present and Future is the university’s first formally endorsed Indigenous Strategic Plan. Its goals are to bring about the kind of foundational change imagined by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC), and the broader expectations that have emerged for Indigenous engagement and inclusion. The overarching goal was to create a visual narrative with strong, bold and beautiful imagery that accurately reflects the humanity and diversity of modern Indigenous Peoples at the university.

In order to truly disrupt the tropes and stereotypes that are so often relied upon, such as the teepee, Métis Red River cart, etc. to represent the entirety of Indigenous identity, we undertook a complete reevaluation of our methodology as it relates to photography and design processes. Relationships were key to advancing these goals as was being acutely open to listening and questioning our assumptions. This shift in perspective was paramount to achieving the intended goal of visually honouring the university’s commitment to celebrating Indigenous Ways of Being, Knowing and Doing. The result is a beautiful, professional and — most critically — responsive document that represents Indigenous Peoples and direction.