UCalgary Residence Services and Indigenous community collaborate on new outdoor study space

In a time when education increasingly recognizes the value of Indigenous engagement, diversity and inclusivity, a forward-thinking initiative brings a refreshing change to the outdoor space near the Dining Centre. It showcases a vibrant blend of academic pursuits, cultural integration and mutual respect for the land.

This student-led and supported project showcases the result of collaboration across multiple groups. The initiative was started by a group of Residence Services Community Ambassadors (CAs) who applied for and received SU Quality Money to create an outdoor academically oriented study space accessible not only to undergraduate residents, but also to all undergrad students to gather, study, grow, socialize and enrich mental health.

“The goal was to go beyond the usual study spaces by mindfully highlighting the project's dual emphasis: enhancing mental well-being through interaction with nature and fostering a sense of community and mutual support among students,” says Brittanie Walker-Reid, director of Residence Services. This was accomplished by working closely with UCalgary Facilities Development and Campus Sustainability and Indigenous Elders from local Nations before, during and after the outdoor space was completed in August 2024.

The outdoor space looks at mental health holistically, recognizing the connection between physical space and mental health, an insight deeply ingrained in Indigenous teachings.

Understanding the significance of an authentic representation of Indigenous culture was paramount in ensuring that the creation of the outdoor space was genuinely reflective of Indigenous knowledge and respectful of their traditions. In close partnership with Elders, a comprehensive plan was established, intimately tying the space to Indigenous ways of knowing, particularly through the incorporation of cultural symbols that have been gifted to the university.

The designed space's key features include four foundational concepts: Ways of Knowing, Ways of Being, Ways of Doing and Ways of Connecting. It also includes comfortable outdoor seating, individual and group study areas, accessible tables, ample lighting, vibrant aesthetics, and technology access points. These elements combine to create an inviting and functional outdoor study area suitable for academic collaborations, peer-based support and social gatherings.

The outdoor study space serves as a beacon of inclusivity and cultural integration. The collaborative effort between students, the university and Elders not only enhances the student experience, but also paves the way for continued allyship and mutual respect between the university and Indigenous peoples.