TORONTO, June 21, 2021 – On this Indigenous Peoples Day, while Canadians celebrate the rich cultural heritage and contributions of Indigenous communities, it is also a time to acknowledge and reflect on the country’s colonial history and its lasting effect on Indigenous communities.
Deborah McGregor
York University Professor Deborah McGregor (Anishinaabe), an internationally recognized expert in Indigenous environmental justice is available for interviews, including on the recent discovery of the remains of 215 children in Kamloops, B.C.
McGregor, cross-appointed with Osgoode Hall Law School and the Faculty of Environmental Studies and Urban Change, is credited for her innovative use of digital and social media to engage Indigenous communities. Her research recognizes Indigenous-derived solutions must be generated based on knowledge and legal systems that have fostered Indigenous survival despite centuries of environmental upheaval affected by colonization.
In addition to holding academic positions, including as the principal investigator of the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council-funded Indigenous Environmental Justice Project, McGregor is actively involved in Indigenous communities serving as an advisor and engaging in community-based research and initiatives.
McGregor is available to comment on:
- Indigenous environmental justice
- Environmental justice as it relates to the discovery of the remains of 215 Indigenous children at the former Kamloops residential school
- Indigenous governance, policy and law
- Sustainability, water governance and security
- Knowledge systems
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York University is a modern, multi-campus, urban university located in Toronto, Ontario. Backed by a diverse group of students, faculty, staff, alumni and partners, we bring a uniquely global perspective to help solve societal challenges, drive positive change and prepare our students for success. York's fully bilingual Glendon Campus is home to Southern Ontario's Centre of Excellence for French Language and Bilingual Postsecondary Education. York’s campuses in Costa Rica and India offer students exceptional transnational learning opportunities and innovative programs. Together, we can make things right for our communities, our planet, and our future.
Media Contact:
Gloria Suhasini, York University Media Relations, 647.463.4354, suhasini@yorku.ca
