Dr. Dori Tunstall, Dean of the Faculty of Design, signed copies of her book at the March 30 event. Photo by Samuel Engelking.
OCAD U celebrates Dean Dr. Dori Tunstall’s achievements at Decolonizing Design book event
On March 30, the auditorium at 100 McCaul St. was at capacity as the OCAD University community and many of Dr. Dori Tunstall’s long-standing community collaborators, peers and colleagues gathered to hear the Dean of the Faculty of Design talk about her new book, Decolonizing Design: A Cultural Justice Guidebook.
“I am because we are,” said Dr. Tunstall, acknowledging the support she has received from the OCAD U community over the years. She said her book “is a love letter to all of the work that we’ve done collectively and community-wise at OCAD University to be able to transform this institution and the field of design.”
Decolonizing Design: A Cultural Justice Guidebook, addresses the question, “What does decolonizing design mean?” The answer, said Dr. Tunstall, is putting Indigenous first, dismantling the technology and racist bias in the European modernist project, making amends through more than diversity, inclusion and equity, and reprioritizing existing resources to decolonize.
The event also marked an opportunity for the OCAD U community to celebrate Dr. Tunstall’s many achievements since joining the University in 2016 as Dean of the Faculty of Design – the first Black person to hold this post in the world. She is leaving OCAD U at the end of the current academic year.
OCAD U President and Vice-Chancellor Ana Serrano thanked Dr. Tunstall for being a driving force in decolonizing the Faculty of Design’s curriculum, research and practices.
“As you wrap up your time at OCAD U, we will miss your caring and thoughtful leadership and guidance, and we thank you for your contributions and commitment to decolonization, equity, diversity and inclusiveness,” she said.
“You will also be remembered for your passion and dedication to your students. Your commitment to helping students succeed and providing them with the resources they need to flourish distinguishes you as a remarkable educator,” noted President Serrano.
In her remarks, Dr. Caroline Langill, OCAD U’s Vice-President, Academic and Provost, noted Dr. Tunstall’s leadership and guidance in hiring five Indigenous faculty members in 2018, the first of three cluster hires.
“Dori’s tireless work to champion and realize the OCAD U Black Cluster Hire resulted in the hiring of five permanent Black faculty members in the Faculty of Design in 2020 before anyone else was really doing this,” said Dr. Langill, who noted that the Faculty of Design initiated a second Indigenous Cluster Hire in 2021.
“This work wasn’t easy, as Dori explains in her book, and challenged the institution in ways that have left it permanently changed in very positive ways,” she said. “This work didn’t happen in isolation and was accompanied by numerous changes across policies and guiding documents. Dori was present and active in making those changes, providing guidance and creating processes for moving our aspirations for decolonization and integration of Indigenous Knowledge and protocols forward.”
For Nancy Snow, Chair of the Graphic Design Program in the Faculty of Design, Dr. Tunstall made it a priority to shine a light on the successes of students and faculty members.
“After becoming dean, one of her first requests was to collect student and faculty successes so she could share these successes far and wide,” said Snow. “Dori has put OCAD U on the map, and on a personal note, helped me to understand what, how and why I want to contribute to the (design) community.”
Both President Serrano and Provost Langill noted that Dr. Tunstall has not only been an ambassador for OCAD U, but she has been an inspirational voice for Black scholars, designers, alumni, current and future students.
This was reflected in the heartfelt gratitude expressed by OCAD U alum Kimani Peter, a graduate from the Digital Futures program.
“Dean Dori’s work is important because Black liberation and decolonization needs Black and Indigenous designers who are empowered and encouraged so that we can imagine and create a world where our communities are no longer oppressed,” he said.
“What’s so incredible about Dori is that she doesn’t just write about it (decolonizing design), she doesn’t just talk about it, she does it. Her book is not just theory; it’s actions that I’ve seen Dori put into practice, first-hand. Dori lives and embodies the work that she does. And that’s because she’s committed to truth and justice.”
Dr. Tunstall has also been a tireless advocate for programs that benefit Black, Indigenous and People of Colour youth living in Toronto.
President Serrano referred to It’s My Future Toronto, an initiative spearheaded by Dr. Tunstall. This program brings together education, industry and government to provide opportunities for Black, Indigenous and People of Colour, aged eight to 12 years old, to design Toronto’s future for the next three to five years. Past themes have included recovery from COVID-19, systemic racism, and biodiversity.
Dr. Tunstall also created the Black Sparks initiative, a special donor group of Black leaders who contribute a minimum of $100 per month to support paid placements for OCAD U Black students as well as Black-led small businesses and grassroots organizations.
The evening concluded with a book signing session by Dr. Tunstall, followed by an informal reception in the Great Hall.
If you would like to donate in honour of Dean Tunstall, please click here to give to the Dori Tunstall Racial Equity Bursary which supports Black and Indigenous students across the University demonstrating financial need.