Ainu Currents Post 6
Initiatives from the Center for Ainu Relations and Initiatives at Hokkaido University
In 2022, Hokkaido University established the Office for Ainu Relations and Initiatives to advocate for the Ainu community within the university and foster a spirit of collaboration.
For today’s post, we would like to highlight several measures the office has implemented over the last few months.
First, the office collaborated with Ainu cultural advisors to introduce authentic Ainu dishes, such as deer and salmon ohau, millet rice, and kabocha rataskep, into campus cafeterias for a limited time. This marks the second time this year the office introduced the campus to Ainu cuisine. The first promotion in 2023 was so well received that they had difficulty meeting demand.
The office also spearheaded the creation of trilingual announcements on the campus shuttle. Stops are now announced in Japanese, English, and Ainu, enhancing cultural awareness and promoting inclusivity. The office worked with members of the Ainu community within and outside of campus to semantic expressions in the Ainu language for the various campus features. Information signs were also posted inside the vehicle in order to further inclusivity and accessibility.
Finally, the university’s President took decisive action in January 2023 by declaring measures to prevent inappropriate and racist remarks targeting the Ainu community and other ethnic minorities. This was further reinforced in October 2023 through revisions to the Guidelines for the Prevention of Harassment, explicitly acknowledging and prohibiting racial harassment as a form of discriminatory behavior. The office played a key role in ensuring these updates were enacted and that there are actionable consequences for discriminatory behavior, safeguarding all members of the university community.
Recognizing the importance of training, the office is actively developing programs for faculty members to enhance their understanding of what constitutes racial harassment and equip them with effective intervention tools.
These initiatives stem from the office’s central mission: to create a welcoming environment where individuals with Ainu roots, or those with Ainu family connections, can pursue their academic and professional endeavors without facing barriers. This commitment aligns with Hokkaido University’s broader efforts to cultivate a diverse and inclusive educational and research ecosystem.