From June 10 to 12, 2026, Université du Québec à Chicoutimi (UQAC) will host the 10th National Building Reconciliation Forum.
Supported by Universities Canada since 2015, the Forum provides a unique platform for dialogue, reflection, and action. It brings together Indigenous leaders, Elders, academic staff, students, and representatives from higher education institutions across the country. The goal is to advance the transformation of university campuses into inclusive spaces that honour Indigenous knowledge and embrace reciprocity.
Hosting this anniversary edition is an honour for UQAC, which is located on the ancestral land of the Pekuakamiulnuatsh people, in the heart of Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean. In keeping with its tradition of working with First Nations and Inuit, particularly through the Nikanite First Nations Centre and the Teshipitakan Research Chair, UQAC aims to ensure a Forum that is inclusive, reflective, and action-oriented.
Forum 2026 will provide a unique opportunity to showcase initiatives developed in partnership with Indigenous communities, to take stock of the progress made, and to collectively reflect on what still needs to be done to respond to the calls to action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada.
Simultaneous interpretation will be available for certain parts of the Forum (English/French).
Inspired by the values of respect, truth, and solidarity, this event will be an important milestone allowing us to collectively reaffirm our commitment to a more just, inclusive, and sustainable future.
Your hosts
We remain convinced that reconciliation can only come through concrete actions rooted in listening, recognition, and co-responsibility. Hosting this Forum also means honouring the voices of Elders, students, academic staff, and all those who build our shared community, in all its diversity.
“Through this event, UQAC continues its work of remembrance and engagement by offering a space for reflection and dialogue. The goal is to deepen our understanding of Indigenous realities, foster intercultural dialogue, and bolster our commitments to reconciliation. The 10th anniversary of the Forum will stand as a defining moment collectively reaffirm our will to move toward a more just and supportive future.”
Ghislain Samson, President of UQAC
“Your participation in this event is essential to nurturing these efforts and giving them collective meaning.
In collaboration with First Nations communities and organizations, we continue our commitment to supporting educational pathways, research, and student mentorship in a spirit of lasting partnership. I thank you for your presence, your openness, and your commitment to making this Forum a meaningful and impactful moment of action.”
Danielle Rousselot, Head of Relations with First Nations
I am honoured and humbled to serve as Honorary Chair of the 10th National Building Reconciliation Forum—a role I accepted with a deep sense of commitment to the work we will undertake from June 10 to 12, 2026.
Since its inception in 2015, the Forum has evolved into a vital platform for dialogue, reflection, and action. It serves as an essential gathering place for Indigenous leaders, Elders, academic staff, and students, as well as institutional representatives from across the country. It is a unique and invaluable opportunity to collectively envision the systemic shifts required to transform our institutions into truly inclusive spaces that honour Indigenous knowledge and are grounded in reciprocity.
Our theme, Winds of Change, reminds us that reconciliation is a living, evolving movement. It speaks to the subtle yet powerful forces that challenge established practices, open new horizons, and spur us to act with both courage and accountability. This Forum serves as a catalyst for transformation, deeply rooted in listening, respect, and co-construction.
This 10th edition marks a significant milestone. It is an opportunity to reflect on how far we have come while renewing our collective commitment to truth and reconciliation. Truly transforming our institutions requires concrete choices, authentic relationships, and a shared resolve to amplify Indigenous knowledge, voices, and visions.
I invite you to join us for this event, to participate with openness and goodwill, and to add your voices to the dialogues that will shape our communities today and in the years to come.
I look forward to meeting you during this powerful gathering of shared purpose and collective engagement.
The Honourable Senator Michèle Audette
Honorary Chair
