The rise of EDI and Indigenizing institutional initiatives in settler universities like so-called Canada [1] could suggest significant transformations and reduction of colonial violences. Yet, inadequate university policies can cause multiple negative effects: performative approaches, assimilation dynamics, co-optation, added burdens and microaggressions on First Peoples. The few studies that include ‘’Quebec’’ show major flaws in institutional actions towards First Peoples. Only one report focuses on ‘’Quebec’’ but merely states the presence of university institutional actions. Therefore, a critical analysis of university policies addressing First Peoples in ‘’Quebec’’ is necessary. Method: A systematic review of the policies of all universities (18) in ‘’Quebec’’ was achieved. The results were analyzed with the Wholistic Indigenous Framework. Results: No university in ‘’Quebec’’ has an institutional policy addressing First Peoples. Only 28% of universities have an action plan specific to First Peoples, while 56% have Equity, Diversity and Inclusion action plans. Only 1 of those 5 universities with an action plan specific to First Peoples presents the necessary conditions for respectful, responsible, relevant and reciprocal institutional actions. In other words, only 1 out of 18 (6%) universities has adequate institutional actions towards First Peoples. Conclusion: The Wholistic Indigenous Framework suggests that the action plans engage in tokenism with a checklist approach without a real transformation of power. The results reveal major gaps in higher education to address ongoing colonialism.
[1] The terms so-called Canada and “Quebec’’ in quotation marks are used to highlight that they are colonial names and settler-colonial establishments, see for example Alook, A., Eaton, E., Gray-Donald, D., Laforest, J., Lameman, C., & Tucker, B. (2023). The End of this World: Climate Justice in So-called Canada. Between the Lines., or for an explanation https://medium.com/@waterwatchers/whats-up-with-so-called-so-called Canada-ba9e085ec9d2