{"id":72690,"date":"2021-06-20T11:29:52","date_gmt":"2021-06-20T15:29:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/brocku.ca\/brock-news\/?p=72690"},"modified":"2021-06-24T08:48:16","modified_gmt":"2021-06-24T12:48:16","slug":"brock-to-celebrate-indigenous-peoples-day-while-recognizing-theres-still-work-to-be-done","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/brocku.ca\/brock-news\/2021\/06\/brock-to-celebrate-indigenous-peoples-day-while-recognizing-theres-still-work-to-be-done\/","title":{"rendered":"Brock to celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day while recognizing there\u2019s still work to be done"},"content":{"rendered":"

NOTE: The Thursday and Friday events planned for Indigenous Peoples Awareness Week at Brock University have been cancelled out of respect for those mourning the discovery of hundreds of unmarked graves near the site of the former Marieval Indian Residential School in Saskatchewan.<\/em><\/p>\n

It\u2019s a time to reflect on how far things have come and how much further they still have to go.<\/p>\n

In addition to honouring the unique heritage, diverse cultures and outstanding contributions of\u00a0First Nations,\u00a0Inuit\u00a0and\u00a0M\u00e9tis\u00a0peoples on Monday, June 21 for National Indigenous Peoples Day, the Brock community is taking the entire week to celebrate and learn while also recognizing there is still work to be done.<\/p>\n

To bring people together while continuing to follow ongoing COVID-19 safety protocols, Aboriginal Student Services (AbSS) has planned more than a dozen virtual events for Indigenous Peoples Awareness Week. The events will welcome all members of the Brock community from Monday, June 21 to Friday, June 25 to learn about a wide range of topics such as Inuit history and culture, how to cook blueberry fry bread, and traditional Indigenous medicine.<\/p>\n

Along with organizing the week\u2019s events, AbSS Director Sandra Wong said members of Brock\u2019s Indigenous communities and their allies are also taking time to celebrate many of the ongoing large and small steps that have been taken in recent years as part of the University\u2019s commitment to Indigenization, decolonization and reconciliation.<\/p>\n

\u201cHaving former Chancellor Shirley Cheechoo and President Gervan Fearon being so committed to making Indigenization and decolonization one of the University\u2019s strategic priorities has opened so many doors,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

But many small changes have made a difference as well. Wong said that along with enhanced programming, like the events on offer next week, changes as simple as the installation of swipe card access for the AbSS office have enhanced availability of the space for students who needed it when on-campus learning was taking place.<\/p>\n

\u201cIndigenous students need that support and people in those roles that are consistent,\u201d she said. \u201cThey need to know there are people like them here. We are here to watch over those students and to guide them and nurture them.\u201d<\/p>\n

Neuroscience student Ryanne Logan said she continues to benefit from the care of the AbSS team, and has taken notice of the University community\u2019s commitment to embracing Indigenous students.<\/p>\n

\u201cComing to Brock in my first year, I never would have imagined the kind of opportunities being available to me as a First Nations student relating to my passion for Indigenous health, decolonization and reconciliation,\u201d she said. \u201cThe future of Brock\u2019s commitment to decolonization is evident, especially with the addition of a teaching lodge<\/a> for Indigenous ways of knowing this year.<\/p>\n

\u201cHowever, we should not stop here,\u201d Logan said. \u201cThis is only the beginning of a long road to decolonization and reconciliation at Brock University. Nevertheless, I am still proud as an Indigenous student here to see the necessary changes slowly start to be made in the right direction.\u201d<\/p>\n

Aboriginal Events Co-ordinator Cindy Biancaniello said many of the positive changes come from the partnerships taking place around the University, which along with featuring in some of the event offerings next week, regularly see offices and Faculties seeking guidance from the University\u2019s Indigenous communities as they teach and learn together.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow more than ever, we have people coming to us to discuss how they can appropriately implement Indigenous engagement and incorporate Indigenous ways of knowing,\u201d she said. \u201cFor so long it was easy for people in the academic space to start teaching about something they knew little about, but in recent years we have seen real change. From Campus Security Services and the Experiential Education team to the Department of History and the Faculty of Health Sciences, so many folks are contacting us and it\u2019s what we want.\u201d<\/p>\n

Brock University President Gervan Fearon said the University will continue to take tangible steps forward as it partners with and learns from Indigenous communities.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs we prepare to celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day, Brock University stands committed to fostering a culture of inclusivity, accessibility, reconciliation and decolonization,\u201d Fearon said. \u201cWe are putting this commitment into action by introducing Indigenous research grants, supporting cultural events, and fostering additional academic programming and student supports, as well as Indigenous faculty recruitment as we strive to continue to grow together and as we honour and learn from Brock\u2019s Indigenous communities throughout the year.\u201d<\/p>\n

Going forward, Fearon said the initiatives he mentioned are in good hands, thanks to guidance from Brock\u2019s Vice-Provost, Indigenous Engagement Robyn Bourgeois.<\/p>\n

\u201cDr. Robyn Bourgeois has been involved\u00a0and assisted in informing the needed steps and actions taken along with other members across the University,\u201d he said. \u201cTogether, we celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bourgeois, who will be involved in Brock\u2019s inaugural Indigenous Leaders Speaker Series event<\/a> taking place Monday, June 21, said it\u2019s important for everyone in the University community to celebrate and learn about the histories, cultures and experiences of Indigenous Peoples, both during the week of celebrations and going forward.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs Murray Sinclair famously proclaimed about Indian residential schools, \u2018education got us into this mess and education will get us out of this mess,\u2019\u201d she said. \u201cIndigenous or not, we are all treaty people here in Canada and each of us has a responsibility to learn not only about the negative historical and ongoing impacts of colonialism on Indigenous communities, but also about Indigenous resilience and excellence.<\/p>\n

\u201cEducation is fundamental to the processes of decolonization and Indigenization and this week offers a critical opportunity for learning.\u201d<\/p>\n

As the celebrations commence and the virtual events get underway, Wong said a key way for members of the Brock community to continue to honour Indigenous communities is to commit further to partnerships and education.<\/p>\n

\u201cBrock students are being done a disservice if they aren\u2019t taught the true history of what happened to our people,\u201d she said. \u201cWe don\u2019t want them to carry the responsibility for past injustices, but they need to teach the history and make staff and faculty understand. It\u2019s not about blame, it\u2019s about education, and we hope there is the same commitment to Indigenized and decolonized education going forward as there has been in recent years here at Brock.\u201d<\/p>\n

To learn more about AbSS and the Indigenous Peoples Awareness Week virtual events mentioned above, visit the Sharepoint link<\/a> on the AbSS Facebook page<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Indigenous Peoples Awareness Week virtual events and resources:<\/h2>\n

Monday, June 21 \u2014 First Nations Day<\/strong><\/p>\n

Traditional Opening \u2014 10:15 to 10:30 a.m. Watch here.<\/a><\/p>\n

Introductions and Teaching Lodge ceremony, including discussing the significance of the Teaching Lodge \u2014 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Watch here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Lunch and Learn with Mac: Indigenous Jeopardy game \u2014 noon to 1 p.m. Watch here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Bobby Henry: What National Indigenous Peoples Day means to me from a First Nations perspective \u2014 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Watch here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Inaugural Indigenous Leaders Speaker Series event to highlight Cheekbone Beauty \u2014 7 to 8 p.m. Sign up here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Additional resources<\/strong> recommended by event organizers to complement the day:<\/strong><\/p>\n

N’we Jinan Artists: DREAMCHILD \u2014 YouTube video<\/a><\/p>\n

Information on First Nations, Inuit and M\u00e9tis books \u2014 Website<\/a><\/p>\n

Tuesday, June 22 \u2014 M\u00e9tis Day<\/strong><\/p>\n

Jayne Morrish: What National Indigenous Peoples Day means to me from a M\u00e9tis perspective \u2014 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Watch here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Lunch and Learn with Sam: Making blueberry fry bread \u2014 noon to 1 p.m. Watch here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Additional resources<\/strong> recommended by event organizers to complement the day:<\/strong><\/p>\n

History of the M\u00e9tis Jig Dance \u2014 YouTube video<\/a><\/p>\n

The Flower Beadwork People \u2014 YouTube video<\/a><\/p>\n

From the Ashes by Jesse Thistle \u2014 Book information<\/a><\/p>\n

Wednesday, June 23 \u2014 Inuit Day<\/strong><\/p>\n

Lunch and Learn with Cindy: Inuit History and Culture \u2014 noon to 1 p.m. Watch here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Additional resources<\/strong> recommended by event organizers to complement the day:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Robert J. Flaherty: Nanook of the North (1922) \u2014 Film<\/a><\/p>\n

Igloo building \u2014 Youtube video<\/a><\/p>\n

Winnipeg Art Gallery tour \u2014 YouTube video<\/a><\/p>\n

Nelson Naittuq Tagoona \u2014 Qaggiavuut! \u2014 Website about beatbox throat singing<\/a><\/p>\n

Uqalurait by John Bennett and Susan Rowly \u2014 Book information<\/a><\/p>\n

Thursday, June 24 \u2014 Student showcase<\/strong><\/p>\n

James Gowland: Discussing experiences of Indigenous students at Brock \u2014 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Watch here<\/a>.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Additional resources<\/strong> recommended by event organizers to complement the day:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Decolonization and Indigenization in the classroom \u2014 YouTube video<\/a><\/p>\n

Cooking by students for students \u2014 Easy air fryer fry bread \u2014 YouTube video<\/a><\/p>\n

Cooking by students for students \u2014 Easy banana bread muffins \u2014 YouTube video<\/a><\/p>\n

Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmer \u2014 Book information<\/a><\/p>\n

Friday, June 25 \u2014 Medicine and celebration<\/strong><\/p>\n

Medicine teachings with Abiidaasmosede (Peter) and visiting Elders Ida and Melba \u2014 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Watch here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Lunch and Learn with Cindy and visiting Elders Ida and Melba: Discussing Inuksuit \u2014 More than just a stack of stones \u2014 noon to 1 p.m. Watch here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Traditional closing with Abiidaasmosede (Peter) and visiting Elders Ida and Melba \u2014 1 to 1:30 p.m. Watch here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Additional resources<\/strong> recommended by event organizers to complement the day:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Traditional Indigenous medicine presentation with Dr. Nicole Redvers \u2014 YouTube video<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

It\u2019s a time to reflect on how far things have come and how much further they still have to go.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":26,"featured_media":72691,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[9794,7,3319,4052,6833,1,4],"tags":[132,8880,8881,5398,4226,10437,8035,6056,10436,3785],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/brocku.ca\/brock-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/72690"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/brocku.ca\/brock-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/brocku.ca\/brock-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/brocku.ca\/brock-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/26"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/brocku.ca\/brock-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=72690"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/brocku.ca\/brock-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/72690\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":72870,"href":"https:\/\/brocku.ca\/brock-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/72690\/revisions\/72870"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/brocku.ca\/brock-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/72691"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/brocku.ca\/brock-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=72690"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/brocku.ca\/brock-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=72690"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/brocku.ca\/brock-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=72690"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}