Indigenous Scholars Allege Systemic Racism and Toxic Environment at University of Ottawa
Seven Indigenous faculty members have left the University of Ottawa since 2023 amid allegations of systemic racism, poor treatment, and a toxic work environment. University President Marie-Eve Sylvestre acknowledged the institution's failure to foster inclusivity and announced plans to investigate its historical ties to the residential school system.
Seven current and former professors at the University of Ottawa have spoken out about their negative experiences at the institution, citing racism and poor treatment. According to CBC Indigenous, seven Indigenous faculty members departed across multiple departments within a single year starting in 2023, leading scholars to describe the university as a "revolving door" for Indigenous academics.
Among those who left is Veldon Coburn, a member of the Algonquins of Pikwàkanagàn, who officially resigned in summer 2025. CBC Indigenous also learned of an unresolved racism grievance filed by Coburn and fellow professor Pierrot Ross-Tremblay. Nancy Wiscutie-Crépeau quit after working in the faculty of education's French sector, describing the environment as colonial. Tricia McGuire-Adams left the education faculty around 2023, stating that harmful anti-Indigenous racism and microaggressions affected her health.
Métis scholar Larry Chartrand retired early in 2019 after nearly 30 years at the university, characterizing the environment as toxic. Darren O'Toole, a Métis law associate professor, used the term "revolving door" to describe the retention of Indigenous faculty. Amir Attaran, legal counsel for the Algonquin Anishinabeg Nation Tribal Council, stated he has never experienced systemic racism as bad as at the University of Ottawa. Additionally, a First Nations former professor sued the university in 2023 for $1.4 million over alleged inappropriate sexual contact.
The departures have strained trust between the university and the host Algonquin nation, deteriorated the health and mental well-being of affected professors, and resulted in the loss of multiple promising Indigenous scholars.
University President Marie-Eve Sylvestre stated she views the complaints as a failure of the university to create an inclusive environment. She intends to appoint a new associate vice-president for Indigenous engagement. The university previously issued a tuition waiver for Algonquin students, which increased their presence from 11 to 53 students. For fall 2025, the university reports a combined graduate and undergraduate enrolment of 12,300.
Sylvestre also announced investigations into the university's historical ties to the residential school system. The University of Ottawa was administered by the Oblates of Mary Immaculate from its founding until 1965. The Oblates ran 46 residential schools. Bishop Jules Leguerrier, a uOttawa alumnus, served as principal at St. Anne's residential school from 1944 to 1975.