“Most Canadians are not aware of the treaty history of Indigenous Peoples or are not aware of the violations of this treaty relationship,” says Beverly Jacobs, senior advisor to the president on Indigenous relations and outreach. “Nor are they aware of the genocide against Indigenous Peoples to try to erase them as people.”

A professor of law and a former president of the Native Women’s Association of Canada, she will address these issues in a free talk Wednesday, Sept. 28, at the River Bookshop. The public event will begin at 6:30 p.m. on the second floor of the store at 67 Richmond St. in Amherstburg.

Owner Richard Peddie (BComm 1970, honorary LLD 2001) says his bookstore wants to contribute to the dialogue of Truth and Reconciliation.

“Indigenous peoples have lived here since time immemorial. They walked on these lands and cared for them well before us,” he says. “Yet today, there is very limited recognition of their important role in our community.”

See a list of the store’s related events.

Dr. Jacobs will also be presenting on campus at UWindsor’s National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Sept. 30 Orange Shirt Day Drum Social Teach-In at the David Wilson Commons, following a community walk. Details of Orange Shirt Day events at the University of Windsor can be found at www.uwindsor.ca/indigenous-peoples/316/orange-shirt-day.

Jacobs will also present during a discussion of the impact Canada’s death investigation and legal systems have on the lives and deaths of Indigenous people, Oct. 4 at the Ontario Forensic Sciences and Coroners Complex in Toronto.

The seminar, entitled “Anti-Indigenous Racism in Canada’s Medicolegal System,” will run 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. both in person and online. Register for virtual attendance by Sept. 26.