Gabriella MenezesCandidates in the University of Alberta Students’ Union (SU) 2025 election met for the Indigenous Students’ Union (ISU) forum on February 28. At the forum, the Board of Governor (BoG) candidates, Karina Banerji and Angelina Raina, went over how they plan to work with the ISU. The snapshot goals are to advocate for Indigenous students’ cultural experience at the U of A, and to find solutions for safety concerns. Banerji and Raina did slightly differ on how to best achieve these goals. However, both BoG candidates have concrete plans on how to combat the cultural and safety concerns of Indigenous students.
Banerji continued with her broader platform of accessibility, affordability, and advocacy during the ISU forum. She made it clear that advocating for “culturally competent” resources would be a cornerstone of how she would approach Indigenous cultural enhancement. Banerji would not rely on mere consultations with the ISU. Instead, she plans to participate in cultural events, such as Round Dances. Banerji is confident that she could better advocate for Indigenous students by avoiding performative actions. Performative support of Indigenous culture and concerns is a ubiquitous problem in Canada — one that Banerji might just avoid.
Raina reaffirmed a platform based on “pillars of accountability and engagement” while she spoke to the ISU. She noted that getting to cultural events can be a challenge for Indigenous students. To combat this problem, she plans to seek funding for transport specifically for students looking to connect with their culture. Raina also pointed out that she would continue to advocate for better childcare services for Indigenous students– something that the current BoG student representative has been working on. Childcare services are vital for Indigenous student parents. Raina’s support of continuing this work makes her a strong contender for the Indigenous student parent vote.
In addition to competent plans for enhancing the cultural experience of Indigenous students, Banerji and Raina addressed safety concerns. In December 2024, a student was assaulted in the ISU lounge. This sparked concerns over the safety of Indigenous students on campus. Banerji promised to hold the university accountable on the issue of safety by pursuing more security guards and better lighting at night for the ISU. These deterrents would, at the very least, allow security to more easily see any would-be attackers at night.
Safety reigned as top priority for Raina’s plan to address both cultural and safety concerns for Indigenous students. Having previously spoken with the ISU, Raina claimed that 60 per cent of Indigenous students have personal experiences or concerns about safety on campus. One way that she is looking to address this alarming statistic is by advocating for security cameras at the ISU lounge and the LRT. Outside of advocating for security cameras, Raina also vowed to engage with the ISU regarding food insecurity. Food insecurity impacts Indigenous students at disproportionate rates, and is an issue with serious potential problems for physical and mental health. This is ultimately a health and safety issue that candidates must address, and Raina is promising to do so.
The ISU forum exemplified the high degree of professionalism and unity that has become the staple of this year’s BoG race so far. Safety is particularly important to address for Indigenous students, who are often navigating the stresses of intergenerational trauma. Still, that is not to discount the importance of cultural outreach. Raina and Banerji are both prepared to tackle two major concerns of Indigenous students. Banerji is confident in her ability to build strong relationships with Indigenous students, and that promise is important. Yet, with food insecurity and childcare services on the line, Raina is the candidate to watch for Indigenous voters.
