As part of its line-up of Truth and Reconciliation week events, the University of Lethbridge has put forth a challenge to its staff and students. Earlier this week, ULethbridge President Dr Digvir Jayas and Vice-Provost, Iniskim Indigenous Relations, Dr Leroy Little Bear launched the Iniskim Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action Challenge, directly calling upon members of the university community to stand up against racism and personally commit to actions of reconciliation. Additionally, Dr Leroy Little Bear restated the importance of Truth and Reconciliation, highlighting how healing is needed to mend the relationship between “the newcomers and our Indigenous people.”
Indigenous Top Ten News
October 4, 2023
The Connected North program–which enhances educational opportunities for students at 55 remote Indigenous schools–has received a nearly-$2M investment from the Government of Ontario. The funding will ensure that students from Kindergarten to Grade 12 can continue to benefit from live, interactive virtual learning sessions during 2023-24. Sessions are delivered by Indigenous educators and mentors, and are designed to teach Indigenous content, foster cultural awareness, and promote academic growth. They are aligned with the Ontario curriculum and cover a variety of subjects, including language, arts, STEM, and mental wellness. “As we continue on our journey of making reconciliation real, our government is committed to ensuring equitable access to education for Indigenous students regardless of where they live or go to school,” said ON Minister of Indigenous Affairs Greg Rickford. “Ensuring a more prosperous future for the next generation starts with overcoming barriers to education.”
Several postsecondary institutions have unveiled Indigenous artworks in honour of truth and reconciliation. Emily Carr University of Art and Design installed the “Pacific Song of the Ancestors” totem pole, which was designed by Master Carvers Dempsey Bob (Tahltan-Tlingit), Stan Bevan (Tahltan-Tlingit and Tsimshian), and Lyonel Grant (Māori and Pakeha). The pole is accompanied by an exhibition of the same name which is curated by ECU student Zoë Laycock. Red Deer Polytechnic recently added the art piece “4 Star Art Warrior” to their collection. The painting is by artist and alumnus George Littlechild, who is of Plains Cree heritage with connections to the Maskwacis Nations, and will be displayed inside the polytechnic’s main entrance as a reminder of the journey toward reconciliation. St Francis High School in Calgary marked National Day for Truth and Reconciliation with the unveiling of a totem art piece by Rick Wolcott that centres on inclusion and teamwork. Lakehead University Bora Laskin Law School revealed a new mural called Where the Heart Gathers, which was painted by artists from Neechee Studio as a call to remind law students of the injustices of the past. Wilfrid Laurier University unveiled its 36-foot-tall colourful mural, which was created over the summer by Ojibwe artist Michael Cywink, students, and community members.
Representatives from the Squamish Nation (Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw), Tsq’escenemc (Canim Lake Band), and Ditidaht First Nation recently gathered to celebrate the finalization of agreements with the federal government to assume authority over their education systems. The celebration included a procession of drummers and students from the Squamish Nation and speakers. The school curricula has been Indigenized to incorporate storytelling and ceremony, and the next step will be to expand First Nations-specific education, including language programming. “The road that’s being paved now is providing not only hope for our people, it’s providing that strength, stability and empowerment, that not only myself as a proud father, but as an Indigenous leader for the Nation, to help move us forward and help us strengthen what we are connected to, to who we are and where we come from,” said Squamish Nation elected councillor and spokesperson Sxwixwtn (Wilson Williams).
Crown Investments Corporation (CIC) has launched an Indigenous internship pilot program called “Crown Career Pathways.” The aim of this $1.2M pilot program is to connect Indigenous graduates from eligible postsecondary institutions with permanent careers in the Crown sector, the provincial government, or the private sector. This goal is reportedly in alignment with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Call to Action #92. Over the course of two years, the program will hire 22 interns (11 per year) for positions in the Government of Saskatchewan’s Crowns Corporations. “This internship program is an important step in ensuring Indigenous people are represented in our workforce and have quality opportunities across Saskatchewan,” said CIC Minister Dustin Duncan.
Saddle Lake recently celebrated the grand opening of Onchaminahos Elementary School, which replaces an elementary school which was built in the 1970s. The new school has large windows to allow for natural sunlight and features art by local artists. The building has space for over 533 students from Kindergarten to Grade 6. It is designed to incorporate the Indigenous way of life and support land-based learning with gardens and outdoor tables as well as an outdoor classroom designed in a traditional circular formation. “Our children are so deserving of this place,” said Saddle Lake Education board member Candace Houle. “This is an amazing new structure… it is state-of-the-art. And what better way to invest in our future by providing a facility such as this.”
A program run by the Niagara Regional Native Centre and Niagara Catholic District School Board is helping Indigenous students find success through on-the-land learning. The Soaring Eagles elementary and secondary program offers an alternative study place for students who have struggled with learning in a mainstream classroom. Students spend hours participating in outdoor activities each day, including hikes, gardening, and bonfires. Some students attend the program for a short time before going back to a mainstream school, while others choose to stay in the program long term. “Soaring Eagles definitely makes me feel more connected to my culture,” said student Alistor Hands-Pare. “Beforehand I wasn’t a cultural person. I was like, ‘yeah I’m Indigenous but it’s not really a big deal.’ But I came here and got a lot more interested in it.”
Humber College, Oak Park High School, the University of Saskatchewan, and Lethbridge College have introduced new Indigenous jerseys for their sports teams as a way of honouring Truth and Reconciliation. Humber collaborated with Tribal Lands to create special jerseys for the Humber Hawks that include a prominent Humber “H,” an image of a hawk, and the Tribal Lands tipi logo. Oak Park’s new jerseys were designed by Indigenous students and athletes Dawson Andrews and Rocco Linklater. The jersey was designed to blend Indigenous teachings with the values of being an Oak Park Raider, and features a red handprint on one shoulder and an orange handprint on the other. USask Huskie Athletics received a special logo that was created by artist Chris Chipak from Red Pheasant First Nations. The logo incorporates a variety of symbols, such as the inukshuk, a feather, and the Indigenous medicine wheel. Lethbridge’s Kodiaks team unveiled new Indigenous jerseys that will only be worn on special occasions. They were first used on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
Police are investigating what the Reconciliation Action Group (RAG) described as a “hate-fuelled” attack on a Métis boy that happened at St Timothy School in Cochrane, Alberta. The grade 8 student was attacked and beaten “viciously” by a group of 15-to-17-year-old male students. The student’s parents took him to hospital and made a report to the police, who are investigating the assault and confirmed that all involved are minors. RAG said that the boy was targeted because he is the son of one of its members, who is outspoken on anti-racism matters. “The victim is left bruised, battered, and sore with severe mental and emotional trauma that will remain with him for life,” read a release from RAG. “The family is traumatized by this hate-fuelled attack on their child and do not feel safe in their community.” RAG is calling for several actions, including for the Calgary Catholic School District to expel the students who were involved in the attack.
Schools across Canada recently took time to commemorate Truth and Reconciliation and honour the lives that were lost at residential schools. In Nova Scotia, students from Shubenacadie District Elementary, Riverside Educational Centre, Hants East Rural High School, and L’nu Sipuk Kina’muokuom school joined community members to place 15,000 orange flags on the site of the former Shubenacadie Residential School. Two classes at St Thomas More elementary school in London, Ontario crafted words sharing “compassion and empathy” onto a healing blanket. In Saskatchewan, Vanier Collegiate Institute students created a living medicine wheel by dressing in the colours of the medicine wheel and forming the four quadrants to honour truth and reconciliation. Students in Nelson, British Columbia attended ceremonies at Trafalgar Middle School, walked in a parade, and participated in singing and drumming Indigenous songs; while in the Nanaimo-Ladysmith School District, Const Cole Brewer from the RCMP’s Indigenous policing unit spoke with students about NDTR, led them in drumming, and taught them how to make bannock.