We are thankful to be welcome on these lands in friendship. The lands we are situated on are covered by the Williams Treaties and are the traditional territory of the Mississaugas, a branch of the greater Anishinaabeg Nation, including Algonquin, Ojibway, Odawa and Pottawatomi. These lands remain home to many Indigenous nations and peoples.

We acknowledge this land out of respect for the Indigenous nations who have cared for Turtle Island, also called North America, from before the arrival of settler peoples until this day. Most importantly, we acknowledge that the history of these lands has been tainted by poor treatment and a lack of friendship with the First Nations who call them home.

This history is something we are all affected by because we are all treaty people in Canada. We all have a shared history to reflect on, and each of us is affected by this history in different ways. Our past defines our present, but if we move forward as friends and allies, then it does not have to define our future.

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Ontario Tech University students work behind the scenes on Pan Am Games IT infrastructure

FBIT students working on IT infrastructure at Pan Am Games

While the main focus of the TORONTO2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games is on athletic performance, there’s a lot of work and preparation that goes into ensuring the best possible experience for fans and athletes alike. Thirty-nine Networking and Information Technology (IT) Security students and three faculty members at Ontario Tech University played a big role behind the scenes, partnering with Cisco Systems Inc. to help design, deploy and maintain the IT infrastructure running the Games.

“This partnership provides many exciting, once-in-a-lifetime opportunities for our students,” said Josh Lowe, Senior Lecturer and Student Affairs Co-ordinator, Faculty of Business and Information Technology (FBIT). “They are able to apply the concepts they’ve learned in the classroom toward real-life scenarios, while getting an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at one of the largest and most connected multi-venue games ever held in Canada.”

“We could not be more thrilled by the student and faculty volunteers who are working side-by-side with Cisco’s engineers, partners and the TORONTO2015 employees,” said Jeff Seifert, Chief Technology Officer (CTO), Cisco Canada. “They are an essential part of the success of the Pan Am/Parapan Am Games, working in some of the most critical competition venues including opening and closing ceremonies, main press centre and Cisco International Broadcast Centre. Volunteer experiences like this will help shape tomorrow’s leaders as industry looks for the best and brightest.”

Students worked as Venue Technology Specialists and Service Desk Supervisors, monitoring and managing all Games-time installations of technology and technological services for networks, broadcast, media, workforce and volunteers. The faculty members worked as Assistant Venue Technology Managers, managing the volunteer technology teams and providing guidance and leadership on all technology-related issues and troubleshooting.

Some of the students also helped deploy the Pan Am Countdown Clock in Nathan Phillips Square. The unveiling of the clock was attended by several high-ranking officials, including Premier Kathleen Wynne.

Congratulations to all involved!