Oki and Hello,

I have recently become aware that Frances Widdowson, a former professor with Mount Royal University, will be attending our campus on Wednesday February 1st, 2023, to offer a public lecture focused on the “positives” of the Indian Residential School system (IRS). Frances Widdowson is a former associate professor with Mount Royal University, who has recently been let go from her tenured position resulting from her perspectives and opinions on the Indian Residential School system, as well as for her public opposition towards the Black Lives Matter movement. While the Indian Residential School system is an important topic, the way in which Frances Widdowson is framing the topic has caused distrust and disappointment from myself and many other Indigenous and non-Indigenous students who attend the University of Lethbridge.

The atrocities that occurred within the Indian Residential Schoolsystem are 100% accurate and true, and I strongly feel that Frances Widdowson’s attendance on our campus devalues the opinions and shared histories of the many survivors who attended this colonial system. This issue not only affects the many survivors that attended the IRS, but it also affects the children and grandchildren of these survivors who are dealing with the impacts of intergenerational trauma, like myself and many other students who attend our university.

The ULethbridge student population not only consists of many Indigenous students, but it also consists of many international students who do not know the harsh and accurate history of the Indian Residential School system. Frances Widdowson’s false narrative on this issue will be the first time some of thesestudents will be learning about the Indian Residential School system, and I strongly feel that we as an institution, have a duty to these students to provide accurate and true information on this important piece of Canadian history.

Due to the university’s “freedom of expression policy”, Frances Widdowson’s public lecture will unfortunately go forward as planned. However, the U of L Student Action Assembly has organized a peaceful protest to demonstrate opposition towards Frances Widdowson’s attendance on our campus. I will be in attendance to provide support and to show my opposition on this disappointing and repulsive matter. I support the notion of freedom of expression, but when that happens to discriminate a specific demographic of Ulethbridge students, as well as support misinformation and false narratives, this is not okay.

I want students to know that my stance on this issue is one of opposition, disappointment, and disapproval. The ULSU is currently working on an action plan to address this issue, and to provide the necessary resources and support for our students dealing with the wide range of emotions brought forth by this distasteful situation.

I want you to know that as your Indigenous Student Representative, I am appalled by this situation. I also want you to know that your feelings and emotions are valid, and I am committed to making every effort possible to provide support in this difficult time to show my opposition on the matter. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns that you may have.

Please show your support by signing the petition, so that the spreading of misinformation and false narratives surrounding the Indian Residential School system can be stopped!