"We believe strongly in the declaration by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission that universities must be leaders in re-setting the relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities. We know this relationship has been destructive and there is much work to be done. 

For our part, this means advancing reconciliation through education, dialogue, and collective action, and STU has a strong foundation from which to build. We have a significant and growing number of Indigenous students, Indigenous faculty, a Chair in Native Studies, a Mi’kmaq / Maliseet Bachelor of Social Work Program, a Native Studies Program, Indigenous Language Programs, courses at St. Mary’s and Elsipogtog First Nations, an Advisory Council for Aboriginal Student Services, and the Wabanaki Student Centre.

The flags of the Wolastoqiyik and the Mi’kmaq Grand Council that welcome visitors to our campus  publicly and permanently acknowledge that St. Thomas University is located on the traditional territory of the Wolastoqiyik and, when St. Thomas University and St. Thomas College was located in Chatham, the traditional territory of the Mi’kmaq. They are symbolic of the past and hopeful for the future, especially our aspirations for our Indigenous and non-Indigenous students. With steps both symbolic and substantive, I believe that it is within us to be the leaders that the Truth and Reconciliation Commissioners have called us to be."

— Dawn Russell, President and Vice-Chancellor