Indigenization, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
The Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance is committed to fostering an inclusive culture within its programs, so all can feel respected, valued, and able to contribute in a meaningful way to support Ontario’s agri-food sector and rural communities.
Our commitment is demonstrated through conscious efforts to prioritize Indigenization, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (IEDI) in the programs and services we provide.
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
Identifying and addressing patterns of systemic discrimination in practices, policies, procedures, and culture is a deep and ongoing commitment. As members of the Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance, the University of Guelph and the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness (OMAFA) strive to embed equitable, inclusive, and unbiased systems and practices in Alliance programs that remove barriers to participation and make space for diverse modes of knowledge creation and dissemination.
Reconciliation and Indigenization
The programs and research centres of the Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance operate on the traditional, unceded and treaty lands and territories of First Nations and lands that are now home to diverse communities of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. We acknowledge our responsibility to work alongside Indigenous Peoples. OMAFA and the University of Guelph are committed to working together to identify how the Alliance’s mandate and operations can be decolonized and to find opportunities to engage in dialogue with Indigenous peoples to seek pathways toward reconciliation.
IEDI Principles
Transparency
Building trust, strengthening communication and support, and deepening accountability within and across the Programs. Listening to and considering the opinions and needs of diverse communities and participants in decision-making and encouraging open discussion and feedback.
Accountability
Building IEDI metrics and collecting data to establish baselines and track progress to support embedding IEDI in the Programs.
Allyship
Educating about privilege;
Learning about the history of oppression and the barriers faced by equity-deserving people; and
Supporting and removing barriers for equity-deserving groups, sharing space and resources. Enabling people with lived experience of exclusion and oppression to lead and innovate.
Inclusive Leadership
Creating a culture where people, particularly people from equity-deserving groups, feel supported voicing IEDI-related issues. Demonstrating IEDI values and behaviours.
Dedicated Resources
Dedicating resources, including but not limited to financial, human, and educational, to support decision-making, strategic planning, priority setting, and monitoring and evaluation of IEDI plans and commitments.
For further information regarding the University of Guelph’s commitment, please visit Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in Research.
