Advocate
Students, staff and faculty continue to be a strong force at the Ted Rogers School. At every level, our community actively champions equity, diversity and inclusion, demonstrating a clear commitment to transformative justice, decolonization and accessibility through their actions. Advocacy is a central part of the EDI activity and during 2024-25, we continued our efforts to raise awareness of our communities' critical needs to create a sense of belonging for all.
In this section
Project highlights
This event was designed to promote female representation and leadership in sales. It featured a keynote by Sarah Willock (National Lead, Inside Sales & Sales Support, Individual Brokerage, RBC), and a panel of female leaders from Salesforce, Softchoice, TEKsystems and Cintas. The event provided students with the opportunity to hear from industry professionals, ask questions and network with women working in business-to-business sales and sales management.
Retail Week brought together students and industry during an intensive week of learning and sharing ideas about leading edge topics and innovations in the retail sector in Canada and beyond. Retail is “everywhere,” and retail industry practices have environmental, social and economic impacts that affect nearly every aspect of modern life.
The theme for 2024 was Sustainability, and speakers were invited from across relevant sectors. From women-led consulting professionals who spoke on sustainability, to Indigenous business owners sharing their knowledge on Indigenous entrepreneurship, to Black and Pan-Asian-identifying entrepreneurs speaking about social impact and sustainability, the speakers represented the cultural diversity of the Canadian retail sector and offered insights into current and emerging trends.
For the third year, Treaty Relations In Business Education (now renamed to Student Association for Indigenous Growth and Economics [SAIGE]), organized the Reconciliation in Business Conference 2024 with the theme: Indigenous Worldviews: Education to Action. The word adaawe – from the Algonquin language for one who buys or trade, and in the Anishinaabemowin language, translates to the act of building a structure – was selected because it represents strong symbols for the work that we are doing together. The title of the conference also reminds us that reconciliation will require a prioritization of actions over words.
Building on the success of the last two years, the one-day conference consisted of discussions designed to foster inclusion and appreciation of Indigenous perspectives and encourage centering Indigenous ways of knowing in research and education. The event featured an Indigenous marketplace, a feast, research presentations and an Indigenous business case competition.
Students played a significant role together towards reconciliation efforts. Through our shared commitment to provide access to these platforms of learning, the admission to this conference was complimentary for students, staff and faculty from any university, and Indigenous participants.
The installation of Philip Cote’s mural inside the Ted Rogers School building, Indigenous History of the Land (2024), was formally unveiled and celebrated with an artist talk and mural presentation. The artist talk also took place during Treaties Recognition Week and Indigenous Education Week. It centred on Cote’s teachings through the artwork and the mural’s visual representations of the Indigenous Nations and Peoples who have stewarded these lands since time immemorial. The artist talk was moderated by Derek Sands (Coordinator, Saagajiwe), and offered an opportunity for the TMU community to learn from Cote’s teachings and reflect on their own connection to the traditional territories of Anishinaabe Peoples, the Huron-Wendat, Haudenosaunee Nations and the Ojibway.
The Indigenous History of the Land mural is located by the escalators on the landing beneath the 7th floor of the Ted Rogers School.
The Moccasin Identifier project was developed by Carolyn King, in partnership with Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and The Greenbelt Foundation, to promote public awareness of significant cultural historic sites and the ancestral presence of First Nations, Metis and Indigenous communities.
The Office of the Associate Dean, Engagement and Inclusion continues to facilitate the Moccasin Identifier Project, an experience designed to educate the TMU community that our university operates on the Treaty Lands of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and on the traditional territories of Anishinaabe Peoples, the Huron-Wendat, Haudenosaunee Nations, and many other Indigenous Nations and Peoples who have stewarded these lands since time immemorial—land that is now home to Inuit, Métis and First Nations Peoples from across Turtle Island. The project also embodies the resistance against the cultural genocide of Indigenous peoples on their lands.
On Ozaawaa Babigoyaan Giizhigad and Debwewin Miinwaa Boonedamowin Giizhigad 2024 (from the Anishinaabemowin language for Orange Shirt Day and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation), the Moccasin Identifier was stenciled along Nelson Mandela Walk, which marked the start of the Memorial Walk in that day’s commemoration of the victims of Canada’s residential school system. On Anishinaabe Giizhigad (from the Anishinaabemowin language for National Indigenous Peoples Day) in 2025, staff hosted a Moccasin Identifier table where participants grounded their knowledge of treaty recognition by stenciling a Wendat, Anishnaabe, Seneca or Cree moccasin on a 50ft mural.
TRSM Pride, established in April 2024, is the first affinity group at the Ted Rogers School for 2SLGBTQ+ faculty, staff and their allies. During the 2024-25 academic year, the group amplified its presence through a range of activities, including hosting its inaugural workshop for faculty and staff, “So You Want to Be an Ally”; reviewing student survey data on outcomes for 2SLGBTQ+ students at the Ted Rogers School and meeting with the Ted Rogers Pride Alliance student club to lay the groundwork for future collaborations. Planned initiatives include an allyship workshop for student leaders and networking events that bring together students, faculty and staff. During the 2025-26 academic year, TRSM Pride will launch a new series of “Bagels and Belonging” sessions to foster stronger connections across the Ted Rogers School community.
For more information about TRSM Pride, including joining to support, contact Ben Samms bsamms@torontomu.ca (opens in new window)
The Ted Rogers Students’ Society (TRSS) is deeply committed to supporting, advocating and educating students about equity, diversity and inclusion. They spearhead and support students in leading equitable work and in organizing socially responsible events.
TRSS has culturally diverse and community-led groups for students, some of which are:
TMU Neurodivergent Students’ Association
The TMU Neurodivergent Students’ Association relaunched in 2025, creating a community space for neurodiversity on campus. Their mission is to support and provide resources for neurodivergent students at TMU; promote awareness and advocate for more visibility of neurodiversity on campus and; to build community for neurodiverse individuals.
To connect, follow them on Instagram @tmu_ndsa (external link) or to become a member, complete the (google form) membership form (external link) .
Student Association for Indigenous Growth in Economics (SAIGE)
The Student Association for Indigenous Growth in Economics (SAIGE), formerly Treaty Relations in Business Education (TRIBE), is an impactful student group committed to creating a warm and inclusive environment for Indigenous students. SAIGE’s mission is to foster collaboration and reconciliation within the business community by bringing together both Indigenous and non-Indigenous students to work together, being the only Indigenous-led student initiative to do so. The group aims to inspire and empower students from all backgrounds to work towards meaningful business reconciliation, as well as to support campus groups in inviting Indigenous professionals to their events, panels and discussions in the spirit of reconciliation. Each year, the team organizes the Reconciliation in Business Conference, and in 2025, they expanded their reach by partnering with other student groups to deliver an Indigenous art gallery and film screening, and held a candlelight vigil in remembrance of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and two-Spirit people.
To connect, follow them on Instagram @trsmindigenous (external link, opens in new window)
Black Business Students’ Association (BBSA)
The Black Business Students’ Association (BBSA) (external link) is an award-winning student group of dedicated and driven student leaders supporting the Black community at TMU. BBSA equips students with essential tools to become future changemakers by organizing events and initiatives focused on community engagement, professional development and academic excellence. In 2024-25, the association focused on growing and enriching the school community through a diverse range of professional and social events such as a Women of Colour in the Industry and the second annual BBSA Conference: Breaking Barriers, Building Success!
To connect, follow them on Instagram @tmubbsa (external link, opens in new window)
Ted Rogers Pride Alliance (TRPA)
The Ted Rogers Pride Alliance (TRPA) (external link) is a 2SLGBTQIA+ student group dedicated to advocating for, empowering and celebrating its community within the Ted Rogers School and the broader TMU community. Their mission is to create an inclusive environment where queer students can thrive both academically and personally regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity and expression and sex characteristics. TRPA aims to bridge the gap between the business world and the queer community, fostering meaningful connections and professional opportunities for students.
To connect, follow them on Instagram @tedrogerspride (external link, opens in new window)
Women in Leadership TMU (WILTMU)
WILTMU is a student organization that focuses on mentoring female professionals and bridging the gap between the industry, alumni, and the student community. WILTMU connects students with industry professionals and provides support through education, mentorship, and networking. Our vision at WILTMU is to successfully build an environment at TMU that supports the advancement of women and gender equality, to develop the foundation for successful student leaders.
To connect, follow them on LinkedIn @wiltmu (external link, opens in new window)
Project BITS
Enactus TMU (external link) is Ted Rogers School’s largest student social entrepreneurship group. Project BITS got its start in 2018 when two Enactus students identified a pressing need among domestic and international students for fundamental financial literacy education. The group regularly organizes financial literacy programs (external link) for students, such as sessions on Buying Your First Home, Building an Investment Portfolio and How to Pay for School. It also produced a curriculum to fill knowledge gaps and meet needs through identifying emerging financial trends and issues impacting students.
Placemaking is a term used to describe creating unique, iconic spaces of gathering for visits, learning, teaching and exchange that strengthen the connection between public space and the people who use it. “Placemaking” efforts, such as the inclusion of art installations or other elements in a public space, have a positive impact on people’s feelings about their environment and increase the likelihood they will develop a comfortable and safe attachment, spend more time there, look up more information about the location or recommend a visit to others. Placemaking is also an approach to public space design that places social innovation and local communities at the heart of the planning process, with the aim of shaping healthier and more equitable public spaces. Inside the Ted Rogers School, our community has continued its efforts towards making an inclusive environment.
EDI Well-being Space
The EDI Well-being Space, which was launched by the Ted Rogers Students’ Society (TRSS) in 2023, continues to be a safe space in the Ted Rogers School building. After increased interest by the community to establish an in-house quiet space, the well-being space is regularly used by students, staff and faculty to pray, meditate and reflect. There were over 1,000 uses of the space over the first month, and since its launch, there continues to be daily visits by community members. Students have especially benefited from this space for significant and holy religious observances, for example during Ramadan, and we commit to the continued promotion of this space. The EDI Well-being Space is located on the 7th floor room 1-045.
TRSS Period Care Equity Project (PCEP)
TRSS partnered with the company Joni (external link, opens in new window) to supply the Ted Rogers School with tampons and pads inside the building’s restrooms. After launching in 2024, TRSS has maintained the partnership with the company, and the PCEP now has nine dispensers inside the school, making vital menstrual products available for all who require them. Through this initiative, health and well-being, as well as menstrual equality is being promoted to the student population.
The Birch Bark Canoe at the Ted Rogers School
Thanks to a collaboration between many members of the Toronto Metropolitan University community, a birch bark canoe, built by Mi'kmaw artisan Todd Labrador, has a new permanent home at the Ted Rogers School. The birch bark canoe is culturally significant for its role in the history of Indigenous entrepreneurship and in trading relationships on Turtle Island. Its presence at the Ted Rogers School is deliberately established to be a learning symbol for the student community to understand the origins of commerce in Canada, and its presence anchors Indigenous innovation and entrepreneurship in shaping Canada’s economic history.
During Indigenous History Month, the Ted Rogers School, in collaboration with the Chang School of Continuing Education hosted a seminar, “Trade & Tradition: Why is the Birch Bark Canoe Important?” which featured a presentation by Michael Mihalicz, Assistant Professor of Entrepreneurship & Strategy and Indigenous Advisor at the Ted Rogers School, who shared insights into the importance of the birch bark canoe and the role that Indigenous entrepreneurs have played in shaping Canada’s economic history.
A plan was also intentionally prepared as an invitation to the TMU community to learn how to connect with the canoe in mind, heart and spirit – and how we, as a community, can reflect on our shared relationship with the canoe.
The birch bark canoe is located in the north-east corner of the 8th floor, beside the east-facing windows.