UTSC has taken many steps to honour the legacies and influence of Indigenous people through several Indigenous spaces on campus. These spaces allow non-Indigenous members to learn from Indigenous U of T community members and to experience their culture, customs, and ways of being.

Indigenous Place-making

In December 2023, UTSC renamed four spaces on campus by translating them into Indigenous languages. The Management Wing Social Sciences Building is now known as the Kina Wiiya Enadong Building; the Valley Land Trail is now called the Ma Moosh Ka Win Valley Trail; Scholar’s Walk is known as Ilinniaqtiup Aqqutinga; and the Rock Walk is now known as Tsi Yonenyakéhtó:Ten. 

Each space is translated using different Indigenous languages: Kina Wiiya Enadong is Anishinaabemowin, meaning “Everyone Spirit Mind” in reference to the building’s ethos of representing the gift of multiple perspectives; Ma Moosh Ka Win is Mushkegowuk Cree, “meaning people coming together with the land for healing, restoration, to enjoy the environment, peace/water for healing;” Ilinniaqtiup Aqqutinga is Inuktitut, meaning “students who walk the path of education for their future to come;” and Tsi Yonenyakéhtó:Ten is Mohawk, meaning “the place where the rocks protrude.”

“These names were decided upon by our community, after going through a detailed process to ensure the chosen Indigenous names were encompassing of the spirit of these spaces,” said Kelly Crawford, assistant director of Indigenous initiatives at UTSC and member of M’Chigeeng First Nation, in a UTSC News article.

These spaces mark UTSC’s commitment to Indigenous Place-making, which the school describes as the “restoration of an Indigenous presence within the natural and built environment.” 

“I trust that the use of Indigenous language-derived place names is intended to provide education about the truths of Canada’s land misappropriation at the expense of Indigenous nations and stimulate action to rectify the many ongoing and historic issues of this nature,” said Tahohtharátye (Joe Brant) in a UTSC News article. He is an assistant professor in U of T’s Department of Linguistics and the Centre for Indigenous Studies who was born, raised, and resides in Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory. 

Students also had various responses to the news. In a message to The Varsity, Harry Xu — a third-year UTSC student in environmental science and media and communication studies — wrote that he feels frustrated with people who “don’t have much knowledge of the history of this land we live on.”

“I love to see efforts that empower native cultures and communities make a presence on my campus as a non-native person residing on Turtle Island.”

Indigenous Garden 

In 2020, Assistant Professor Dani Kwan-Lafond initiated the Indigenous Garden at the UTSC Campus Farm with Isaac Crosby, a knowledge keeper, gardener, and Indigenous agriculture expert who identifies as Indigenous with Black ancestry. The Indigenous Garden offers sociology students opportunities to experience land-based, Indigenous, and experiential learning. The garden also provides workshops and learning spaces for student groups, class visits, and community members. 

Tianna Tabobondung — a UTSC alumni and member of the Wasauksing First Nation — wrote to The Varsity about her personal experience with the garden. 

“I had a truly wonderful experience at the UTSC farm, especially working alongside Béatrice Lego and Isaac [Crosby]. Learning directly from the land, in the heart of such a big city, was a powerful reminder of the deep connections we have with the earth, even in urban spaces like UTSC.”

Recently, students and faculty have shared concerns about the nonrenewal of the Campus Farm Coordinator Béatrice Lego’s contract. In a letter to the UTSC Principal, Vice-President, Academic, Dean, and Chief Administrative Officer, the UTSC community expressed concerns over the transparency surrounding Lego’s contract expiration and the future maintenance of the farm. 

Indigenous House

Looking ahead, UTSC is currently underway in building its Indigenous House, a space that aims to bring Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities together to foster Indigenous knowledge, history, culture, and art. Construction began in 2021 and is scheduled to open in 2025. The house will be built by Centennial Circle.

“I hope it becomes a safe, welcoming environment where Indigenous students can gather, connect with one another, and find the support they need both academically and personally,” wrote Tabobondung. “For many students, having a dedicated space that reflects and honors their culture is essential — not just for healing, but for building community and a sense of belonging.”

She continued, “I envision the Indigenous house as a place where students can access resources, share knowledge, and engage with one another in ways that help them thrive in both their studies and their personal lives. It’s a space where they can reconnect with their cultural roots, deepen their understanding of their traditions, and find strength in the collective wisdom of their communities.”