The outdoor Indigenous gathering space at the south-east end of Tindall Field recognizes Kanonhsyonne (Janice Hill), BEd ’99, and her years of contributions to the Queen’s Indigenous community after her retirement from the position of Associate Vice-Principal (Indigenous Initiatives and Reconciliation) in March 2024.
Opened in September 2023 as a teaching and learning hub for Queen’s students and faculty to engage with Indigenous knowledge, the space will be officially named Tsi Yakwanastahentéha, which translates to “the place where we extend the rafters.”
The new name honours the work of Kanonhsyonne in the Queen’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission Task Force (QTRCTF), specifically noting the title of the task force’s final report “Yakwanastahentéha | Aankenjigemi | Extending the Rafters.”
Released in 2017, the final report contains 25 recommendations for institutional change which include strengthening relationships with Indigenous communities, promoting a deeper understanding of Indigenous histories, knowledge systems, and experiences, and creating a campus that values and reflects Indigenous histories and perspectives.
READ MORE: Queen’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission Task Force reveals final report
“I think it was a very important step,” she said. “Indigenous students are going to go where they see themselves represented, and up to this point, there hasn’t really been a large physical representation of Indigenous peoples on the campus.”
READ MORE: New Indigenous gathering space opens at Queen’s
Kanonhsyonne reflected upon her recognition of the space’s naming.
“I feel very honoured by this naming. I was a little surprised by it, but I’m happy to see that the work that I did has been recognized and acknowledged,” Kanonhsyonne said. “I extend my gratitude, respect, and my sincere, humble thanks for this honor that’s being bestowed upon me.”
She noted the significance of “extending the rafters,” a concept rooted in the Haudenosaunee tradition of adding rafters to longhouses to welcome more people. She hopes this tradition will inspire Queen’s to strengthen its connections with the Indigenous community.
When asked about her biggest takeaway from her time and contributions to Queen’s, Kanonhsyonne emphasized the importance of building relationships especially those between the Indigenous and
non-Indigenous communities.
“One of the things that was most important to me was I felt like, as a University, Queen’s is responsible for seeing that every student that es through leaves with some understanding of that historical relationship of the place of Indigenous people in this country and beyond.”
Kanonhsyonne, a member of the Turtle Clan from the Mohawk Nation at Tyendinaga, has contributed to the University’s relationship with Indigenization and reconciliation for almost 30 years as co-director of the Indigenous Teacher Education Program, director of the Four Directions Indigenous Student Centre, and as member of the QTRCTF.
“This honour celebrates her profound impact but will also inspire future generations at Queen’s. Her contributions have left an indelible mark on the University and extend far beyond campus borders,” President and Chief Executive Officer of Bader Philanthropies Inc. Daniel Bader, LLD ’21 told the Gazette. Bader Philanthropies Inc. played a critical role in funding the creation of the space.
According to the Gazette, a celebration ceremony for the naming will take place this spring.
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