Dear UConn Campus Community, 

On Indigenous Peoples’ Day, I write to you to honor and celebrate the rich history, culture, and contributions of Indigenous peoples across our nation and around the world. I see Indigenous Peoples’ day is an opportunity for reflection, mindfulness and unity, to acknowledge and support Indigenous communities.

Before I go on, however, please take a moment to acknowledge the land on which our university stands. The University of Connecticut is located on the traditional lands of the Mohegan, Mashantucket Pequot, Eastern Pequot, Schaghticoke, Golden Hill Paugussett, Nipmuc, and Lenape peoples. Especially as an Office dedicated to cultivating a healthy relationship between humans and the environment, we honor and respect the enduring relationship that exists between these Indigenous nations and their ancestral lands.

In the spirit Indigenous Peoples’ Day, the Office of Sustainability encourages all members of our community to learn about Indigenous history, culture, and contemporary issues. On campus, one of the best resources for this is the Native American Cultural Program: https://nacp.uconn.edu/.

In the coming months and years, we will engage deeply with the critical issue of environmental justice and will be sharing resources that provide opportunities for education, dialogue, and celebration of the many vibrant cultures and valuable perspectives of our community, including that of indigenous peoples.

I’d like to take a moment to encourage everyone to support Indigenous communities through acts of solidarity and allyship. One simple act is to understand the historical lands upon which you, your loved ones now stand: https://native-land.ca/

Also, I encourage participating in local events, supporting Indigenous-owned businesses, and advocating for Indigenous rights and environmental stewardship. A good place to start is here: https://career.uconn.edu/blog/2020/11/24/native-american-owned-small-businesses/

Indigenous Peoples’ Day reminds us to reflect and take action for an equitable, just and sustainable world. Let us use this day to honor the resilience and wisdom of Indigenous peoples while also acknowledging the challenges they continue to face.

Thank you for joining us in recognizing Indigenous Peoples’ Day, and for your ongoing support in our shared commitment to sustainability and inclusivity at the University of Connecticut.

Sincerely, 

Joe Fullerton 

Director of the Office of Sustainability  

University of Connecticut 

Dear UConn Community, 

As many of you know, September is Suicide Prevention Month.  

Along with our colleagues throughout the UConn community, the Office of Sustainability is committed to raising awareness about the importance of mental health and suicide prevention. 

In 2020, suicide was the 12th leading cause of death in the United States, and it is the second leading cause of death for people ages 25-34. It is a serious issue that affects people of all ages, backgrounds, and experiences.  Each of us has a role to play in preventing suicide and having the following information handy could save a life: 

• If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, call or text 988 immediately. 

• If you are uncomfortable talking on the phone, you can chat the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988lifeline.org.  
• You can also text NAMI to 741-741 to be connected to a free, trained crisis counselor on the Crisis Text Line. 

 

Of course, many factors can contribute to suicide, including mental health conditions, substance abuse, and difficult life circumstances. That’s why, as part of our work to support mental health here at UConn (and beyond) we use trauma informed principles: 

Here at the OS, we aren’t clinicians, and we don’t offer therapeutic services, but we do see it as our responsibility to be informed about, and supportive of, our mental health service teams and capabilities.  

Here on campus, the best place to learn more about mental health services and get the care you need is through Student Health and Wellness: https://studenthealth.uconn.edu/  

In addition to reaching out for help, there are also things that we can do as a community to prevent suicide. We can: 

• Talk about mental health openly and without judgment. 
• Challenge the stigma around suicide. 

• Be supportive of our friends, family, and colleagues. 
• Create a culture of caring and compassion. 

Please join us as we work together to create a campus community where everyone feels safe and supported. 

Thank you for your time. 

Sincerely, 

Joe Fullerton 

Director of the Office of Sustainability  

University of Connecticut