MHC, UVic hold dedicated Indigenous naming ceremonies for new space, research chair

Medicine Hat College and the University of Victoria both recently held Indigenous naming ceremonies on their campuses. MHC held a ceremony with a traditional feast, stories, and songs, in which a new gathering space was gifted the name Ómahksípiitaa or Big Eagle by MHC alumnus Dan Fox, who is a member of the Blackfoot Confederacy. The college Elders also acknowledged the leadership of MHC President Kevin Shufflebotham and the work of director of community engagement Jennifer Kerslake. Kerslake was gifted the name Bobcat Woman or Ómahkatàyaakìì for her work in making the gathering space and naming ceremony a reality. At UVic, traditional songs, dances, and speeches were held at Wawadiťła or Mungo Martin House for the naming of a research chair in Indigenous mental health. The chair has been named for world-renowned Kwakwaka’wakw artist Chief Mungo Martin and is held by Emily AP Haigh, a psychologist and citizen of the Métis Nation of Ontario. MHC| Nation Talk (UVic) Note: Archived stories may contain dead links or be missing source links.