Sustainability Seminar Series explores relationships and Indigenous peoples

In her talk titled “It is all about the relationships,” York professor Ruth Koleszar-Green, will discuss building relationships with Indigenous peoples. Koleszar-Green’s talk is the fourth instalment in the 2019-20 Sustainability Seminar Series.

Ruth Koleszar-Green

Koleszar-Green is co-chair of the Indigenous Council at York University, an assistant professor in the School of Social Work at York University and the special adviser to the president on Indigenous Initiatives.

An activist turned accidental academic. Koleszar-Green identifies as an urban Indigenous person and is a citizen of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy. She is from the Mohawk Nation and is a member of the Turtle Clan. She was born a Canadian but was one-half disenfranchised when she was 10 years old. By the time she was 34.5 years old she was completely disenfranchised. Koleszar-Green acknowledges the privileges she gets in a world of identity politics to be governed by legislation that is 100 years older than she is! She also acknowledges her paternal Celtic heritage. Koleszar-Green likes to think about Indigenous education and social issues that impact Indigenous communities. She has a PhD from OISE in Adult Education and Community Development, an MSW and a BSW from Ryerson.

Koleszar-Green’s talk will take place on Feb. 27, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in room 140, HNES Building, Keele Campus.

The Sustainability Seminar Series was launched in October 2018 by York University’s President’s Sustainability Council, an advisory body to the president, responsible for providing input and recommendations on how to advance the University’s sustainability initiatives, projects and practices. For more information about the seminar series, visit sustainability.info.yorku.ca/sustainability-seminar-series.