Equity, diversity, inclusion, and decolonization (EDID)

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We oppose discrimination, bigotry, prejudice, and injustice in all their forms, and since our establishment in 1996, we have expanded our commitment to support equity, diversity, inclusion, and, more recently, decolonization.

This work is ongoing, and we want to do it with you. Check back for more updates or email contact@federationhss.ca.

2021 –

The Federation endorses the Charter on EDID in the Social Sciences and Humanities

On April 8, 2021, we endorsed the Charter on Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Decolonization (EDID) in the Social Science and Humanities.

Our goal in supporting the Charter is to address obstacles that negatively affect the career trajectories and lived experiences of individuals from diverse communities, including women; First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples; members of racialized communities; persons with disabilities; members of LGBTQ2S+ communities; and linguistic, religious, and cultural communities. 

We encourage our member associations, institutions, affiliates, as well as individuals to read, discuss, support, and promote the Charter.


The Congress Advisory Committee on EDID releases “Igniting Change”

The Charter was developed by the independent Congress Advisory Committee on EDID, and is a key component of “Igniting Change”, the Committee’s final report and recommendations. Both a call to action and a valuable resource, “Igniting Change” is helping us to identify and address barriers to equitable, diverse, and inclusive participation in our events, particularly the Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences, Canada’s largest academic conference. 

Guided by the Committee’s work, we have expanded our historic support for EDI to encompass decolonization — the "second D” in EDID — and we are supporting critical conversations about colonialism, anti-Black racism, and other pressing social and racial justice issues.

2020 –

The Federation appoints a Congress Advisory Committee on EDID

“As Canada’s largest academic gathering, Congress annually empowers more than 8,000 scholars to have critical discussions, build and strengthen networks, and showcase the incredibly valuable work happening within the Humanities and Social Sciences. We have a duty to make the opportunities and benefits of Congress as accessible as possible to all members of our community.” Read the announcement


The Federation launches a review of its Canada Prize program

The Canada Prizes are currently under review to make all necessary changes to support reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples, better address anti-Black racism, and more fully imbed the principles of equity, diversity, inclusion, and decolonization in the program.

2019 – 

The Federation adopts a new Code of Conduct

The Federation requires that all members, affiliate members, participants, and those accompanying participants to Federation activities, whether in-person or virtual, comply with the Code of Conduct as set out herein and as may be amended by the Federation from time to time. Failure to do so may result in disciplinary action up to and including expulsion from Federation membership and/or participation in Federation activities. Read our Code of Conduct and Complaints Investigation Procedure

2015 – 

The Federation adopts the Touchstones of Hope Principles and Processes

In 2015, the Federation adopted the Touchstones of Hope Principles and Processes to guide its work on reconciliation. In this framework, reconciliation is recognized as being a movement that must be built and sustained — it is not an event or a short-term project.

The five core Touchstone of Hope Principles include:

  • Recognizing Indigenous peoples’ right to self-determination;
  • The need to take a holistic approach to promoting reconciliation;
  • Respecting Indigenous cultures and languages and acknowledging the academy is heavily influenced by Western cultures;
  • The need for structural interventions to address systemic disadvantage and historical wrongs; and
  • Non-discrimination: ensuring that the right of Indigenous peoples to be free of discrimination is respected throughout the academy.

These Principles are situated in a four-phase reconciliation process: truth telling, acknowledging, restoring and relating.
Read the Federation’s media release announcing our commitment

2010 – Present

For the past decade, our Equity Matters blog series has received hundreds of contributions from scholars engaging in informed dialogue on the complex challenges faced by members of equity deserving groups. The blog series serves as an important platform for teaching and scholarly debate on equity and diversity issues in Canada.

You can find all Equity Matters contributions by selecting the Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Decolonization tag in the Resource hub.

In support of the United Nation’s International Decade for People of African Descent, the Federation recognizes the need to strengthen national, regional, and international cooperation in relation to the full enjoyment of economic, social, cultural, civil, and political rights by people of African descent, and their equal participation in society. Further, the Federation recognizes the obligation to advance the spirit and intent of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), to advance reconciliation and decolonization, and to engage meaningfully with Indigenous peoples, cultures, and ways of knowing. 

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