AMS Statement on Racist Incident in Residence
Yesterday, the Alma Mater Society was made aware of a note attached to the door of a residence common room. The note contained deplorable, racist, and homophobic language which targeted both Indigenous and Queer members of the Queen’s community.
We would like to unequivocally denounce the sentiments and ideas expressed in that note. Queen’s University is a community that is only strengthened by our diversity. The opportunity to live, work, and learn in an environment where individuals come from a wide variety of circumstances and backgrounds is what makes our education and experience at Queen’s so valuable. It is what will allow us to learn from the mistakes of our past, so that we can continue to grow and create a better future. The existence of this note is proof that our community has much more work to do when it comes to educating ourselves and making this campus one where all students, staff, and faculty feel welcome and safe.
To our peers who have been impacted by this incident and others like it, know that this is your home. Know that you belong here, and that you deserve to be treated with dignity and respect.
For those who have been impacted by this incident, know that you are supported. Please utilize the Four Directions Indigenous Center, Empower Me, the Multi-Faith Chaplain, and the Peer Support Centre (PSC), particularly PSC × CARED, if you need someone to talk to. The Head Manager of the PSC, Andie Rexdiemer, can be reached at and the Commissioner of Social Issues, Bunisha Samuels, can be reached at .
We would encourage students not directly targeted by this note to take time to educate themselves on the histories of Indigenous communities and LGBTQ2S+ Canadians. By understanding the intersection of our histories, and better appreciating each other’s hardships, and lived experiences we can move together towards a more respectful and inclusive society.
Please direct all media inquiries to Brendan Robson, AMS Director of Communications, at or (613) 533-6000 x 75850
BACKGROUNDER
Alma Mater Society (AMS) – http://www.myams.org
The central undergraduate student government at Queen’s University, the AMS represents over 18,000 students and is the oldest student government in Canada. There are over 1,000 student volunteers and 700 paid staff.