Students will get a chance to learn a little bit more about a different culture.
Northern College is hosting its sixth annual Indigenous Culture Awareness Week starting today. This annual event started in 2012 when a student requested it. Northern says this week is a learning opportunity designed to promote a deeper understanding of Indigenous traditions.
Indigenous Student Adviser Joseph Nakogee says during the week, students and the public will be exposed to cultural customs, activities and traditions done in this area. “It’s a time where you can ask questions, talk, share, listen and connect.” Nakogee says “people who come out walk away with a little more understanding of our culture.”
Northern will be hosting events throughout the week including cultural movies, artifacts, discussions, competitions, games and music. The school says all these activities will cover a wide variety of topics.
Nakogee says there is one thing he hopes this week will do. He says he wants people to realize that “we are all connected and we are al the same.” Nakogee adds that we have some differences, but the main thing is that “everybody comes together to respect each other.” He says he hopes everyone who attends the activities leaves with a better understanding of the indigenous culture.
Northern College says this annual event is rooted in one of the college’s four strategic directions: Indigenous Perspectives. It says this is part of the school’s commitment to cultural learning and capacity building amongst students and staff.
Here is a schedule for this week’s events:
September 17
8 am – 12 pm Breakfast/Bannock on a stick Shaptuan
8 am – 4 pm Workshop-Building a Sweat Lodge Outside the Tipi/Shaptuan
September 18
8 am – 12 pm Breakfast/Bannock on a stick Shaptuan
1 pm – 4 pm Cultural Artifacts on display provided Tipi by the Ojibway Cree Cultural Centre
6 pm – 9 pm Sweat Lodge run by David Faries Sweat Lodge
September 19
8 am – 12 pm Breakfast/Bannock on a stick Shaptuan
10 am – 12 pm Cultural Movies – Provided by the Ojibway Tipi Cree Cultural Centre
1 pm – 4 pm Drum Group Outside of the Tipi
September 20
8 am – 12 pm Breakfast/Bannock on a stick Shaptuan
1 pm – 3 pm Indian Horse Gym
3 pm – 4 pm Sharing Circle – Indian Horse Tipi
6 pm – 8 pm Indian Horse Gym
8 pm – 9 pm Sharing Circle – Indian Horse Tipi
September 21
8 am – 12 pm Breakfast/Bannock on a stick Shaptuan
1 pm – 4 pm Archery Competition Back Field