NU launching Indigenous Week
Next week marks Indigenous Week at Nipissing University and the Office of Indigenous Initiatives has a fantastic slate of events lined up to mark the important occasion. Indigenous Week launches on Monday, October 31, at 11:30 am with Elder-in-Residence John Sawyer of Nipissing First Nation providing a teaching about smudging in the Office of Indigenous Initiatives (F215).
Events on Tuesday, November 1, move to the Library's Thomson Reading Room, beginning with the official launch of the RBC Treaty Learning Centre at 11:30 am. The Centre offers space for hosting talks that will provide insight into treaty relationships in Canada and will house archival maps, publications, curriculum resources and a replica wampum belt gifted to Nipissing University by Anishnabek, Union of Ontario Indians. This event will include an honouring of the late Grand Chief, Dr. Stan Louttit, and the late Professor Emeritus, Dr. John Long, for their contributions to Treaty Education in Treaty No. 9. Tours of the RBC Treaty Learning Centre will be available.
At 1 pm, The Honourable David Zimmer, Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation, will speak to students, faculty and community members regarding. The Journey Together: Ontario’s commitment to Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples. This discussion will be followed by reflections from Maurice Switzer, Ontario Human Rights Commissioner.
The public launch of Reconciliation North Bay takes place at 2 p.m. in the Thomson Reading Room. Chaired by Nipissing’s president, Dr. Mike DeGagné, the launch will feature a circle of key community influencers. Reconciliation North Bay will become a community-wide initiative with support from the business, education, social service, political, justice, arts and faith sectors working towards increased understanding of and work towards reconciliation.
Wednesday, November 2 brings a special presentation, Deepening Our Collective Understanding – Redefining Success for Aboriginal University Students at 11:30 a.m. in room A246. In this presentation, Tanya Lukin-Linklater, Director of Aboriginal Initiatives, Chris Hachkowski, Principal of Aboriginal Programs in the Schulich School of Education, and Melanie Lanois, Student Success and Development Coordinator in Aboriginal Initiatives, will present recommendations, piloted activities and a holistic model of support for Aboriginal students. The information is based on a on a two-year research project comprised of a series of conversations with Indigenous scholars, graduate students and community members centred on defining and identifying actions to support Aboriginal student success.
The university welcomes Dr. Cyndy Baskin to campus for a special lecture on Thursday, November 3, at 11:30 am in F213. Focussing on her book, Strong Helpers, an Indigenous approach to Social Work, participants will learn about different approaches from an Indigenous perspective on how to support Indigenous students. A reception will follow in room H102.
The Office of Indigenous Initiatives will host a Drum Circle in room F215 on Thursday, November 3, at 4 pm. Community member and traditional singer Tasheena Sarazin will lead a drumming and singing group and teach basic traditional songs. Drums are provided for the session.
Indigenous Week events wrap up on Friday, November 4, with a Wampum Beading Session from 10 am–2 pm in the library led by Artist Brenda Lee. Everyone is invited to add beads to a collective Wampum belt. No beading experience is required.