Indigenous professor leaving University of Saskatchewan over racism concerns

A University of Saskatchewan faculty member says he is leaving his job because of racism and discrimination.

Jaris Swidrovich, recognized as Canada’s first Indigenous doctor of pharmacy and the only self-identified Indigenous faculty member in pharmacy in Canada, is resigning from his position as an assistant professor with the College of Pharmacy and Nutrition.

“I believe I have experienced an extended series of incidents of racism and discrimination at multiple levels. I tried everything I could to make things work, but the support was simply not there,” he said.

Swidrovich, who worked at the College of Pharmacy and Nutrition for six years, announced his resignation via Twitter earlier this week.

He hopes his feelings of isolation won’t be experienced by Indigenous scholars in the future.

“Verbalized or written expressions of support does not equate to action and is not a measure of an institution’s level of safety for Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour,” Swidrovich said.

“If there truly had been support when and where needed, I would not have ended up resigning and we likely would not have seen the number of Indigenous faculty members leaving as we have.”

Swidrovich is one of many Indigenous faculty members to leave the U of S in recent years. Many cited similar reasons for leaving.

In a letter sent by the University of Saskatchewan Faculty Association in 2020, the association expressed “concern and disappointment” with campus culture and Indigenization. At that time, nine Indigenous faculty had left in the previous five years. Three faculty members left one college citing “demeaning interactions with their dean.”

Swidrovich wasn’t able to describe why so many Indigenous staff have opted to leave.

“I wish I had an answer, but the reality certainly does not appear to align with the stated intentions,” he said.

In a prepared statement, U of S provost and vice-president academic Airini said she is “saddened” by Swidrovich’s resignation. Meetings are taking place to better understand the experiences of Indigenous faculty to develop a plan of action to support staff.

“We understand that there are challenges that Indigenous people face on campus and at academic institutions across the country, and because of this – we are being responsive,” she said.

Swidrovich said he made a formal complaint a few months ago.

Swidrovich said his experiences have affected all aspects of his health and wellbeing, which resulted in him taking a three-month leave earlier this year.

His time in his current position expires on Aug. 31. Swidrovich is running as the NDP candidate for Saskatoon West in the next federal election.

Swidrovich said there will be no other Black or Indigenous faculty members in the pharmacy side of the college with his departure.

Reaffirming that pharmacists play a crucial role in providing accessible healthcare, Swidrovich said representation matters.

“In a country where we see the greatest gaps in health outcomes being experienced between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples, it is important that we see more Indigenous students, staff, and faculty members in health professional programs like pharmacy,” he said.

Swidrovich doesn’t want young or aspiring scholars to be discouraged by his resignation, but he did encourage them to find community and seek mentorship.

“Our ancestors were warriors and fought for a world of opportunities for us to seek,” he said.