Racism within the Canadian university: Indigenous students’ experiences

This article extends the investigation and understanding of the impact that everyday racism/microaggressions can have on the academic experience of Indigenous students by examining the racial climate of a major Canadian university to learn about the nature of anti-Indigenous racism. The data from seventeen interviews with students at McMaster University provide a deeper understanding of how Indigenous students perceive and experience racism within the university environment – including levels, impacts and coping mechanisms – and highlight the potential for racism to have a continuing impact on equality and access to education for Indigenous peoples. Subtle, modern racism is playing an active role in the daily lives of Indigenous university students, affecting both their academic and personal success. Despite increasing levels of successful degree completion and the creation of strong support systems, Indigenous students are consistently faced with barriers, including interpersonal discrimination, frustration with the university system and feelings of isolation.