Isaiah Maracle has been supporting Lancer Recreation in the department's allyships efforts (PROVIDED BY I. MARACLE; FILE/University of Windsor)
As part of the launch of the Turtle Island — Indigenous Student Services Centre's Indigenous Allyship Guide, we are featuring conversations about allyship with campus community members.
Isaiah Maracle is an Indigenous student who has been supporting Indigenization efforts at the Toldo Lancer Centre
Q: How would you describe what Indigenous allyship means to you?
Isaiah Maracle (IM): To me, Indigenous allyship has a crucial role in addressing and reversing the ongoing effects of colonization. In my eyes, allyship needs to be more than words and broken promises. Instead, it should consist of listening, learning and, most importantly, taking meaningful action. An ally should recognize both the historical and ongoing impacts of colonization while understanding that Indigenous voices, stories and experiences are powerful tools in reconciliation. Allyship also means creating space for Indigenous Peoples to be heard, challenging stereotypes and discrimination and continuously working toward respectful and meaningful relationships.
Q: What has your role been in supporting allyship and Indigenization efforts in Lancer Recreation?
IM: My role has been to help create meaningful and lasting change within the Toldo Lancer Centre and, more broadly, across the University of Windsor. A major part of my role has involved connecting with local Indigenous organizations and community members to build relationships and partnerships that can continue after my time at the University. I have also worked on developing educational materials and programming that can increase Indigenous awareness, understanding and participation within campus recreation. Through this work, I hope to make the Toldo Lancer Centre a more welcoming and culturally respectful space for Indigenous students and community members while contributing to the University’s efforts toward truth and reconciliation.
Q: What impact do you hope your efforts will have on Indigenous students and the broader campus community?
IM: The main goal of my efforts is to help establish an identity that Lancers can be proud of and to create a space that is welcoming to incoming students. I hope Indigenous students can see themselves represented within campus recreation and feel a stronger sense of belonging when using the Toldo Lancer Centre. I also hope my efforts help build stronger connections between the University and Indigenous communities, creating opportunities that continue well into the future. For the broader campus community, I hope this work encourages greater awareness and understanding of Indigenous cultures, histories and perspectives. Eventually, I want these efforts to contribute to meaningful and lasting change where reconciliation becomes something we actively practice rather than just talk about.
Q: What does meaningful reconciliation look like to you within a university setting?
IM: To me, meaningful reconciliation goes beyond land acknowledgements and promises. It means creating real, lasting change that aligns with the University’s values and commitments. It means making Indigenous students feel welcomed, listening to and addressing their concerns, ensuring their voices are heard and creating opportunities for students and staff to learn about Indigenous cultures and histories. Reconciliation should also involve building genuine relationships with Indigenous communities, recognizing the ongoing effects of colonization and ensuring Indigenous voices are represented in important decisions and conversations across the University. Most importantly, reconciliation requires consistent action and accountability, rather than something that is done once and forgotten.
Q: What advice would you give to non-Indigenous allies looking to further their allyship journey?
IM: My advice to non-Indigenous allies would be to take part in as many allyship opportunities as you can, even if you do not think they directly relate to your own background or interests. Allyship is about stepping outside of your own experiences, listening to others and being willing to learn. Although my work focuses primarily on Indigenous students, the changes we are working toward can help create a more inclusive and welcoming environment for all students, regardless of their background. I also believe that the more people who are willing to listen, learn, speak up and take meaningful action, the stronger allyship becomes. You do not need to know everything to be an ally, but you should be willing to continue learning and contribute.
I would add that reconciliation and allyship are ongoing journeys, and there will always be more work to do. I am proud of the progress we have made so far, but I also recognize that meaningful change takes time, consistency and collaboration. I hope the work being done now continues to grow beyond my role and encourages future students, staff and leaders to build on these efforts.
I also believe it is important for Indigenous students and communities to understand that it is okay not to know everything about your culture, history or background.
Growing up, I knew very little about my own background and hardly participated in cultural events. I was ashamed, but I eventually stepped outside of my comfort zone and took the time to learn and reconnect because I realized how important having a strong sense of identity was to me. I hope other Indigenous students who may feel disconnected from their culture know that they are not alone and that it is never too late to learn, reconnect and become more involved.
To access the Allyship Guide, visit the Turtle Island website.