Portage College launched the formal recruitment process for its next president with a pipe ceremony and feast. The ceremony was held in the college’s wanîskah ᐊᐧᓂᐢᑲᐦ room, which is commonly used for spiritual reflection and traditional events, and attended by local Indigenous and municipal leaders. Saddle Lake Elder Ben Steinhauer, who was the Pipe Carrier for the ceremony, explained that this event acts as a link between the past and the future. “We lift the pipe to honour the traditional practices of our Indigenous communities, as we ask for guidance in selecting the next leader of Portage College,” said Portage Board of Governors Chair Randy Benson. “We believe it is essential to start this process in a way that is respectful, inclusive, and deeply connected to the values that shape our college and our future.”
