Author: Julie

Professor in neuroinflammation – Université de Sherbrooke

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Professor in neuroinflammation – No 06008

JOB DESCRIPTION: Professor

LOCATION: Health Campus

STATUS: Regular

ADMINISTRATIVE UNIT: Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Pediatrics

SCHEDULE: tenure-track assistant professor

The Université de Sherbrooke is seeking applicants for a tenure-track assistant professor position in the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences’ Department of Pediatrics. Required expertise is in the field of neonatal/pediatric cerebral neuroinflammation. The Department of Pediatrics invites interested candidates to apply for an assistant professor position

About the Faculty

Basic, applied and clinical research are key strengths of our institution. The Université de Sherbrooke Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences enjoys a first-class reputation thanks to its educational innovations, its constant adaptation to society’s changing needs and to the success of its world-class research teams. It stands out among the international elite as the only faculty in Canada and the only Francophone faculty in the world to be designated a World Health Organization Collaborating Centre on Health Science Education and Practice.

About the Department

The Pediatrics Department has 74 professors, including 10 recognized research teams led by clinical investigators or fundamental researchers.

Members of the department teach in the MD program and the graduate programs in Immunology, Physiology, Health Sciences, Radiation/Imaging Sciences and Biochemistry. The ongoing construction of the new mother-child care centre will soon provide the ideal conditions for the transfer of knowledge in areas ranging from preclinical research to pediatric patients.

Profile desired

We are seeking exceptional candidates with expertise in basic sciences who are able to carry out innovative research programs in the field of cerebral neuroinflammation applied to neonatology and pediatrics. The Department of Pediatrics is especially eager to bridge the gap between research in neonatal respiratory pathologies—which represents a 40-year-old tradition—and research centres in neuroscience, imaging and physiology. The availability of ovine models, which is unique to Canada, is a major asset in the development of a research theme in neonatal and pediatric neuroinflammation, as ovine models allow for faithful reproduction of the care provided to newborns and infants in the context of intensive care. The successful candidate must establish and maintain an independent, externally funded research program and obtain salary support from external sources (e.g. FRQS). The successful candidate must collaborate actively with researchers in the Department of Pediatrics, especially with the ovine research team. The candidate is also expected to collaborate with researchers from the Université de Sherbrooke Centre of Excellence for Maternal-Child Research—a key theme of which is neurodevelopment—and with members of the Université de Sherbrooke Centre of Excellence for Neurosciences. Collaborations may also be developed with researchers from the Department of Immunology and Cell Biology and the Sherbrooke Molecular Imaging Centre. These internationally recognized groups constitute ideal settings for the development of an active and innovative research program and strong leadership in the field of cerebral neuroinflammation on the national and international stages. All Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences researchers have access to state-of-the-art scientific equipment and to an interdisciplinary research environment.

The successful candidate must teach at all undergraduate and graduate levels. Knowledge of French, or a commitment to learn the language in the short term, is essential.

Main duties

  • Teach at undergraduate and graduate levels.
  • Supervise graduate students.
  • Develop basic and applied research activities, maintain a competitive externally funded
  • research program, and obtain salary support (scholarship/fellowship) from provincial and/or
  • national programs.
  • Take part in university life.
  • Contribute to community service.

Qualifications

  • Hold a PhD and/or MD degree in cerebral neuroinflammation.
  • Have at least three (3) years of postdoctoral experience.
  • Teach and mentor undergraduate and graduate students.
  • Have cutting-edge expertise in the fields indicated above.
  • Have a keen interest for and be highly skilled in teaching, university pedagogy, research, development, and innovation.
  • Demonstrate leadership qualities, initiative and an outstanding ability to communicate and effectively and harmoniously interact with various internal and external partners.
  • Demonstrate the ability to lead graduate students.
  • Have a publication record testifying to the excellence of the researcher’s file in the field identified above.
  • Demonstrate skills in establishing and maintaining good interpersonal relations, a collaborative spirit and teamwork skills.
  • Ability to teach in French, or to rapidly achieve the ability to do so (2 years).

Work conditions

The working conditions are governed by the collective agreement in effect between the University and the Association des professeures et professeurs de la Faculté de médecine de l’Université de Sherbrooke (APPFMUS).

Regular full-time tenure-track position.

Anticipated start date: 2023.

Equity, diversity and inclusion

The Université de Sherbrooke (UdeS) values equity, diversity, equality and inclusion in employment within its community and invites all qualified individuals to apply, particularly women, members of visible and ethnic minorities, Aboriginal peoples and persons with disabilities in compliance with the Quebec Act respecting equal access to employment in public bodies. The screening and assessment tools can be adapted according to the needs of persons with disabilities who request them, and this, in complete confidentiality. The Université de Sherbrooke also encourages people of all sexual orientations and gender identities to apply. Priority will be given to Canadians and permanent residents. Learn more about equity, diversity and inclusion at UdeS.

Application process

Check our website then submit your application online. For this opportunity, see offer 06008.

Direct link:

https://www.usherbrooke.ca/emplois/offre/no/06008

The deadline for submitting applications is 5 p.m. on June 30, 2023.

Please attach:

  1. A full curriculum vitae.
  2. A short research proposal (maximum 2 pages).

In addition, please send three (3) letters of recommendation, directly from the signatories, to the following address:

Frédéric Dallaire MD PhD
Directeur du centre de recherche mère-enfant de l’université de Sherbrooke
Job posting 06008
Département de pédiatrie
Faculté de médecine et des sciences de la santé
Université de Sherbrooke
3001, 12eme avenue nord
J1H5N4
Sherbrooke
QC – Canada

CAN submits a brief to the House of Commons permanent committee on Science and Research on “International Moonshot Programs”

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The Canadian Association for Neuroscience joined its voice to a large coalition of Canadian stakeholders calling for the Canadian government to invest in a Canadian Brain Research Initiative, to make Brain and Mental Health Research a National Priority in Canada.

Read our brief, along with those of many other stakeholders, on the House of Commons website

https://www.ourcommons.ca/Committees/en/SRSR/StudyActivity?studyActivityId=11835988

The CHU Sainte-Justine makes a giant step forward in understanding autism

Posted on | by Julie
Roberto Araya, Soledad Miranda Rottmann, Diana Mitchell (photo Charline Provost)

source: chusj.org

Source : CHU Sainte-Justine Research Centre

MONTREAL, February 16, 2023– Results of a new study led by Roberto Araya, a neuroscientist, biophysicist and researcher at the CHU Sainte-Justine Research Centre, show that in Fragile X syndrome (FXS), the most common cause of autism, sensory signals from the outside world are integrated differently, causing them to be underrepresented by cortical pyramidal neurons in the brain. Continue reading →

RI-MUHC and McGill researchers make a breakthrough in understanding brain nanoarchitecture, using computer vision

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image credit RI-MUHC

A new study published in Current Biology reveals the nanostructure of brain cells at an unprecedented level of resolution

SOURCE: RI-MUHC.

Brain cells are among the most anatomically complex cells in the human body. They create an intricate web of connections that enables the brain to detect, process, encode and respond to diverse information. Importantly, communication breakdown between brain cells leads to disorders and diseases such as dementia and Alzheimer’s disease that affects an estimated 50 million people worldwide. Continue reading →

Read CAN’s submission to the Minister of Finance pre-budget consultations

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CAN made the following recommendations to the recent consultations on budget 2023 by the Minister of Finances:

The Canadian Association for Neuroscience recommends the following:

Recommendation 1: That the government of Canada increase investments in the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) for the benefit of all Canadians. We urge the government to adopt a four-year plan to double the budgets of the three main federal funding agencies (CIHR, NSERC, SSHRC) starting with a 25% increase in the next budget.  This recommendation aims to bring Canadian investment in scientific research to a level commensurate to that of other G7 countries.

Recommendation 2: That the government of Canada increase its support for graduate students and postdoctoral fellows by 50% for graduate scholarships and postdoctoral fellowships to increase both value and number awarded in the next budget. In conjunction with recommendation 1, this recommendation will ensure our next generation of scientists have the means to participate fully in Canada’s knowledge economy.

Recommendation 3: That the government of Canada make research on the Brain and Mental Health a national priority by investing in research to understand the brain through well-established and trusted organizations in the field.

Read our full submission here (PDF)

Postdoctoral Researcher in Translational Rodent to Human Pain Models

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About the position:

Position: Postdoctoral researcher for a two year term, with the possibility of extension

Field of Specialization: Spinal cord nociceptive processing; translational pain models

Academic Group: Hildebrand Pain Lab, Department of Neuroscience, Carleton University

Sources of Funds: 2023-2028 CIHR Project Grant, potential future industrial R&D fellowship

Start Date: May 1, 2023 (or earlier/later depending on applicant’s availability)

Closing Date: March 30, 2023

The Hildebrand Pain Lab (HildebrandPainLab.com) at Carleton University (and affiliated with the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute) invites applications for a postdoctoral research position investigating spinal mechanisms of nociceptive processing in rodent and human tissue models. This translational project involves combining cutting-edge high density multi-electrode array (MEA) recordings with the Hildebrand lab’s unique ability to collect highly viable tissue from human organ donors. Using this powerful combination, the applicant will investigate how molecular and cellular mechanisms of spinal excitability and pain processing are conserved and/or diverge across sex and species. Beyond these physiological questions, the applicant will test how targeting specific molecular players with current and potential future therapeutic compounds impacts excitability in spinal nociceptive circuits of both rodents and humans.

The skills, networks, and mentorship gained through this translational pain project will equip the candidate for potential careers in academic, industrial, and/or healthcare-related fields. Along with direct supervision and mentorship by Dr. Hildebrand, the applicant will be working alongside a neurosurgeon/clinical research scientist collaborator at the Ottawa Hospital, Dr. Eve Tsai (https://www.ohri.ca/profile/etsai), with the opportunity to participate in the surgical collection of spinal cord tissue from neurologic determination of death organ donors. Because of the high translational value of these rodent-to-human spinal cord physiology and pharmacology experiments, the applicant will also have the opportunity to work with and be mentored by pharmaceutical researchers that have ongoing collaborative research partnerships with the Hildebrand Pain Lab.

Qualifications:

Candidates must have a Ph.D. in a relevant field, with neuroscience-related research experience including performing electrophysiological, pharmacological, and/or biochemical experiments on ex vivo nervous system tissue. Expertise in analysis of large datasets and coding is also an asset. The position is full time, and salary will be commensurate with experience. The postdoc will be considered unionized, as a member of PSAC Local 77000. Information on this bargaining unit can be found here: https://psac77000.ca/. Optional extended health and dental benefit plans are available with this position.

The Hildebrand Pain Lab and Carleton University are strongly committed to fostering diversity within their communities as a source of excellence, cultural enrichment, and social strength. We welcome those who would contribute to the further diversification of our team, including, but not limited to: women; visible minorities; First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples; persons with disabilities; and persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity and expressions. We understand that career paths vary. Legitimate career interruptions will in no way prejudice the assessment process and their impact will be taken into careful consideration.

Application instructions:

Completed applications should be sent as one single PDF document to Dr. Hildebrand (mike.hildebrand@carleton.ca) and should include a cover letter highlighting relevant research experiences and how this position fits with your career goals, as well as a curriculum vitae that includes the names and contact information of three referees familiar with your past work and experiences. Please indicate in your application if you are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada.

About Carleton University:

The Neuroscience department (https://carleton.ca/neuroscience/) is a dynamic and growing academic/research unit at Carleton University that includes a diverse range of research interests, outreach activities, and networking/mentorship opportunities. To learn more about our University and the City of Ottawa, please visit https://carleton.ca/provost/reports/.

Contact information

Michael Hildebrand, mike.hildebrand@carleton.ca
Associate Professor and Graduate Chair, Carleton University
Affiliate Investigator, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute
1125 Colonel By Drive
6310 Health Sciences Building
Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6 CANADA

 

Posting end date

2023/06/01

Download – PDF

 

Post Doctoral Scholar – experimental detection of ultra-weak photon emission from biological systems

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Nature of the Work: 

The Faculty of Science has been catalyzing change and inspiring discovery, creativity, and innovation for over 50 years. Our strategic direction integrates current and emerging strengths with areas targeted for future growth and investment. Our strategic priorities, goals, and values guide our mission to advance research, scholarship, and innovation, create authentic learning experiences, and inspire careers of the future. We fuel transformational change, and build a strong community through teaching, learning, research, scholarship, and collaborative partnerships. We do this work to generate curiosity-drive discovery and contribute solutions to society’s grand challenges. For more information, visit science.ucalgary.ca.

We thrive in the dynamic context of the University of Calgary, one of Canada’s most youthful and innovative universities. We are a bold and ambitious research university, grounded in innovative learning and teaching, fully engaged in Calgary’s entrepreneurial spirit.

This is a full-time fixed term appointment, part of the AUPE Bargaining Unit.

Primary Purpose of the Position: 

The postdoctoral researcher is responsible for performing experimental research on detecting ultra-weak photon emission from        biological samples. The candidate will plan, perform and analyze experiments on biological samples using single-photon detection systems. The candidate’s tasks will be based at the National Research Council of Canada in Ottawa with occasional research visits to U. Calgary.  These two sites are home to teams with expertise in biophoton detection/theory and neuroscience applications, who will jointly mentor and supervise the candidate. The candidate is expected to support the development of funding and attracting graduate   students to ensure continued growth in the area of quantum biology. The incumbent will be expected to also present research accomplishments and findings in internal and external meetings, conferences, reports and publications.

Qualifications/Expertise Required: 

  • A PhD in neuroscience, biology or related fields is required
  • Experience in operating optical imaging equipment and image analysis tools and software
  • Experience in preparing and maintaining in vitro biological cell preparations (ideally dissociated cultures and brain slices)
  • An asset would be experience in assessing effect of pharmacological agents on cells and tissues, preferably neuronal in origin
  • An asset would be experience in theoretical and experimental aspects of light emission from biological systems
  • An asset would be knowledge of quantum mechanics.
  • Ability to communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders
  • Capable of assisting expansion and development of research projects in biophoton research
  • A high level of effective time and project management, personal initiative, communications skills and teamwork
  • Majority of job tasks will be performed on-site at National Research Council (NRC) in Ottawa
  • Position requires flexibility to occasionally visit U. Calgary for research collaboration
  • Ability to travel nationally and internationally
  • Knowledge of university policies and procedures is an asset.

Accountabilities/Tasks and Duties:  

Technical:

The candidate will primarily be responsible for operation of an experimental setup designed to detect single   photons (biophotons) from biological samples. Biological samples to be investigated will include living tadpoles and various neuron culture assemblies. Biophoton emission will be investigated using pharmacological and possibly electrophysiological approaches. The incumbent will also be responsible for the analysis and interpretation of the data, working with the teams at U. Calgary and the NRC. The incumbent will design, implement, and consult with the Principal Investigator on projects and programs. The candidate will be expected to identify and pursue new research opportunities aligned with the overall vision of the lab.

Mentorship/Coaching:

The candidate will provide training of undergraduate and graduate students in experimental and theoretical   research techniques, as well as presentation skills(written and oral).

Publishing/Presenting Research: 

  • Publish/present research accomplishments at both the national and international level, including in high impact/selective academic journals.
  • Prepare manuscripts describing findings for submission for publication, and lead process of responding to referees/editors during the peer review process.

Occupational Health& Safety: 

  • Understands and complies with the requirements of the University’s Occupational Health and Safety Policy
  • Has knowledge of and understands the expectations of the University’s Occupational Health and Safety Management System (OHSMS) and applicable Faculty/Departmental/Unit specific health and safety policies and procedures
  • Ensures that all work conducted is in accordance with the Alberta Occupational Health and Safety Act, Regulation and Code and other health and safety legislation as applicable

Position posting at UCalgary

https://science.careers.ucalgary.ca/jobs/10577986-post-doctoral-scholar-physics-and-astronomy-and-cell-biology-and-anatomy

Research professional – CERVO Brain Research Centre, Quebec city

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The research team at The CERVO Brain Research Center in Quebec City is looking for a research professional in the laboratory of Dr. Chantelle Sephton: https://cervo.ulaval.ca/en/chantelle-f-sephton

Research area: The main research objective of the lab is to determine how RNA processing is impaired in neurodegenerative diseases. We will achieve this by studying the RNA-binding proteins that are mutated in the motor neuron disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). We will use our mouse models and cell culture models of ALS to study the function of RNA-binding proteins and the effectiveness of therapeutic drug treatments. The results of these studies will provide insight into how impaired RNA regulation can cause ALS and we will use this information to develop targeted therapeutic treatments to treat the disease.

Research project: The current project in the Sephton laboratory requires a research professional to conduct preclinical testing of drugs in ALS mouse models as a proof of concept for the therapeutic treatment of ALS.

Main responsibilities

Under the supervision of Dr. Chantelle Sephton, the research professional’s main responsibilities are to:

  • Co-ordinate, conduct and analyze the results pertaining to the ongoing research program;
  • Work under minimal supervision for many tasks;
  • Supervise the people under his responsibility and ensure the quality and relevance of the results;
  • Ensure the coordination of research activities in close collaboration with students (ethical authorizations, purchases, communication with partners);
  • Participate in data collection (administration of tests, laboratory measurements), data entry and analysis;
  • Contribute to the dissemination of research results (scientific articles, presentations, and knowledge transfer);
  • Conduct scientific literature reviews to support project development.

Note: Responsibilities could be modulated according to the experience of the candidate

Required profile

Candidates should have some experience in animal handling (mice or rats) and experience in animal handling (e.g. i.p. injection and behavioral testing) as well as experience in molecular biology (PCR, purification DNA) and in biochemistry (Western blot, protein determination)

  • Must hold a Bachelor of Science in one of the following fields: biochemistry, neuroscience, genetics or molecular biology (candidates holding a master’s or doctoral degree are also invited to apply);
  • Sense of organization, initiative, rigour, flexibility and autonomy;
  • Excellent interpersonal and teamwork skills;
  • Ease in the use of various computer software;
  • Language proficiency (English-intermediate and French-advanced)

Additional information

  • Type of employment: Initial one-year contract with possibility of renewal.
  • Schedule: Full time, 35 hours per week.
  • Salary: According to qualifications and experience.

Advantages :

  • Contribution to the Government and Public Employees Retirement Plan (RREGOP);
  • Group insurance (after three months of work) and paid at 50% by the employer;
  • 5 paid sick days per year;
  • 13 paid statutory holidays per year.

Contact information

TO APPLY
Interested persons are invited to send a cover letter and their Curriculum vitae at the following address: chantelle.sephton.1@ulaval.ca
Posting end date 2023/03/31

Funded Graduate Student Positions at the University of Manitoba

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Multiple graduate student positions (M.Sc., Ph.D.) are available in the laboratory of Dr. Tabrez Siddiqui at the University of Manitoba. The Siddiqui lab’s multidisciplinary research program encompasses the molecular, systems and behavioural branches of neuroscience to investigate neuronal circuit organization, plasticity and network integration. Our goals are to generate transformative knowledge on the molecular mechanisms of synapse development and function in both the developing and mature brain, provide conceptual advances in understanding the mechanisms governing enduring changes in synaptic properties (plasticity) that underlie cognitive function and associative learning, and determine how synapses are specified in the mammalian brain to provide the framework for understanding the molecular logic of circuit organization and associated behaviours. The Siddiqui lab is also actively pursuing translational goals in uncovering synaptic regulatory mechanisms and targets in neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders such as autism and schizophrenia.

Eligibility Requirements

  1. Excellent academic standing
  2. Strong work ethic and interest in discovery science
  3. Experience or interest in using animal models
  4. Research experience is an asset
  5. Excellent written and oral communication skills

The positions are fully funded with standard stipends commensurate with the University of Manitoba guidelines and Departmental bylaws. Successful students will be admitted to the Physiology graduate program, but may be considered for the Biomedical Engineering program.

This search will close on January 20, 2023.

Please send the following the documents to Dr. Siddiqui by email

  1. Cover letter explaining your background, interests, and training, and why you will be a good fit for the Siddiqui lab research program.
  2. CV
  3. Transcripts

We thank all applicants for their interest. However, however only those candidates selected for interviews will be contacted.

Rady Faculty of Health Sciences
Max Rady College of Medicine
Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology
Neuroscience Research Program
Kleysen Institute for Advanced Medicine
Health Sciences Centre
SR422-710 William Avenue
Winnipeg, MB R3E 0Z3
Phone: 1.204.318.2564

 

Email: tabrez.siddiqui@umanitoba.ca

https://umanitoba.ca

Siddiqui Lab Publications can be accessed here.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=Tabrez+j+siddiqui&sort=date

Some of our recent published studies are listed below

  1. Dhume S.H., Karimi B., Roppongi R.T. Connor, S.A., Mills, F., Tari, P.K., Oku, S., Bamji, S.X., Wang, Y.T., Brose, N., and Craig, A.M., Siddiqui, T.J., Distinct but overlapping roles of LRRTM1 and LRRTM2 in developing and mature hippocampal circuits, Elife. (2022) Jun 6;11:e64742. doi: 10.7554/eLife.64742.0: 0.
  2. Karimi B, Silwal P, Booth S, Padmanabhan N, Dhume S, Zhang D, Zahra N, Jackson MF, Kirouac GJ, Ko JH, and Siddiqui T.J.*, Schizophrenia-associated LRRTM1 regulates cognitive function through controlling synaptic activity in the mediodorsal thalamus, Molecular Psychiatry, 2021May 12. doi: 10.1038/s41380-021-01146-6
  3. Roppongi RT#, Dhume S#, Padmanabhan N#, Silwal P, Zahra N, Bomkamp C, Pati Cl, Karimi B, Champagne-Jorgensen K, Twilley RE, Zhang P, Jackson MJ, and Siddiqui TJ, LRRTMs organize synapses through differential engagement of neurexin and PTPσ, Neuron (2020), Apr 8; 106 (1):108-125.e12. doi: 10.1016/j.neuron.2020.01.003 (# co-first authors)
  4. Sinha R, Siddiqui TJ, Padmanabhan N, Wallin J, Zhang C, Karimi B, Fred Rieke, Craig AM, Wong RO, and Hoon M, LRRTM4: a novel regulator of presynaptic inhibitory and dyad output synapses of retinal bipolar neurons, Neuron (2020), Mar 18;105(6):1007- 1017.e5. doi: 10.1016/j.neuron.2019.12.028.
  5. Zhang Z, Pines MK, Oku S, Ge Y, Siddiqui TJ, Wu W, Archer-Hartmann S, Azadi P, Gordon MD, and Craig AM. (2018). Heparan Sulfate Organizes Neuronal Synapses Through Neurexin Partnerships. Cell 174(6): 1450-1464.

tabrez.siddiqui@umanitoba.ca

Tabrez J. Siddiqui, PhD

Associate Professor of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Max Rady College of Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba.

Principal Investigator, Children’s Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba.

Principal Investigator, Neuroscience Research Program,

Kleysen Institute for Advanced Medicine, Health Sciences Centre.
SR422-710 William Avenue, Winnipeg R3E 0Z3, Manitoba, Canada.
Phone: 1. 204.318.2564

https://umanitoba.ca/medicine/faculty-staff/tabrez-siddiqui

Twitter: @siddiquilab

The University of Manitoba campuses are located on original lands of Anishinaabeg, Cree, Oji-Cree, Dakota and Dene peoples, and on the homeland of the Métis Nation. We respect the Treaties that were made on these territories, we acknowledge the harms and mistakes of the past, and we dedicate ourselves to move forward in partnership with Indigenous communities in a spirit of reconciliation and collaboration.