UNews - Henderson Lake

Indigenous women from Mexico experience Blackfoot and Canadian cultures

caroline.zentner — Tue, 28 Jul 2015 21:08:08 +0000

A group of 25 indigenous women from Mexico has had a unique opportunity to learn about First Nations culture and practice their English at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge this summer.

They are spending five weeks in Canada through a program organized by the Council for Science and Technology in the State of Quintana Roo (COQCYT) and funded by the National Council of Science and Technology of the United Mexican States (CONACYT).

In their traditional dress, the group of indigenous women from Mexico performed a traditional Mayan dance at the Kainai Powwow.

“It is a government program for indigenous girls who want to study for a master’s degree,” says Yajaira Vianey May Xool, one of the students participating in the program. “We are learning about the Blackfoot culture, about their life, traditional food, stories, histories and dance. At the same time we are practicing the English language.”

Cinthia Interian, another student in the program, and Xool majored in Language and Culture studies at ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Intercultural Maya de Quintana Roo. They both want to pursue master’s degrees and Xool will be attending Universidad Autonoma de Yucatan (UADY) in Merida, Yucatan in August.

While in Lethbridge, they are staying with local families and have visited local sites such as Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump, the Galt Museum, Henderson Lake, and Waterton Lakes National Park. They performed a traditional Mayan dance at the recent Kainai Powwow.

“My experience in Canada is important to me because I have the opportunity to improve my English, my pronunciation, and also to learn about the Blackfoot culture. I have learned about other points of view and seeing the world in other ways that I can share when I go back home,” says Xool.

“My experience here in Canada has been great. I visited many places and I have met wonderful people in my stay here. This is a unique opportunity and every one of my classmates is enjoying their stay,” says Interian. “I want to give thanks for my teachers and the people who made this exchange possible, for this experience, and all the learning and knowledge we got.”

The partnership agreement between the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge and the State of Quintana Roo, Mexico was formed in 2014. The initiative came about as a result of the U of L’s involvement with a consortium of 10 indigenous universities in Mexico and several undergraduate universities in Canada that focus on aboriginal education. The U of L has had a close relationship with the Mayan ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ in Quintana Roo and has set up student exchange and co-operative work-study agreements.

Paddlers and Dux are festival ready

trevor.kenney — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 21:15:31 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Pronghorn Paddlers and Fiat Dux dragon boat teams are ready for a weekend of being soaked by Henderson Lake water, excessive bursts of energy, being yelled at by people with drums and, believe it or not, fun.

The 2010 ATB Financial Rotary Dragon Boat Festival starts Friday, June 25 at Henderson Lake and once again, the U of L is displaying its community spirit by participating with a pair of exuberant teams. Opening ceremonies for the festival begin at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, and full days of racing follow on Saturday, June 26 and Sunday, June 27 (division finals), beginning at 8 a.m. each day.

Both U of L teams have been training for at least a month, rain or shine, in preparation for the festival. The Paddlers and Dux will benefit from a combination of years of experience, funny hats and careful management of the laws of physics to hopefully make the finals.

RACE TIMES:

Qualifying Races, Saturday, June 26

Pronghorn Paddlers - 8:15 a.m. / 1 p.m.
Fiat Dux - 8:45 a.m. / 12:30 p.m.

Final Races, Sunday, June 27

Pronghorn Paddlers - Times TBA
Fiat Dux - Times TBA

The annual ATB Financial Rotary Dragon Boat Festival also features a three-day entertainment festival as a key part of the activity.

Confirmed entertainers are listed below:

Friday

4 p.m. - Dusty Dee http://www.DustyDee.com
4:30 p.m. - The Glencoulee Band
5:30 p.m. - Jasmine http://www.jasminewhenham.com
6 p.m. - Ammena Dance http://www.ammenadance.com/
6:30 p.m. - Opening Ceremonies
7 p.m. - Texas Flood http://apps.bebo.com/my-band/artist/texasfloodband
8:30 p.m. - Who's yer Daddy

Saturday

11 a.m. - Stan Ashbee http://www.lastudioprod.com/stanahsbee.htm
11:30 a.m. - Smokin Pistols http://www.smokinpistols.com
12:30 p.m. - Alyssa McQuaid http://www.myspace.com/alyssamcquaid
1 p.m. - Hibikiya Drummers
1:30 p.m. - Kellianne http://www.kelliane.com
2:30 p.m. - Poa Navarrow http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zVEr2fbhGqs
3 p.m. - Ben Brown http://www.myspace.com/benbrowntrio
4 p.m. - Rocky Mountain Cloggers http://www.canadianrockymountaincloggers.com
4:30 p.m. - Suite 33 http://suite33live.com/
6 p.m. - Chants
7 p.m. - Soup of Flies

Sunday

11 a.m. - Michelle Treleleaven http://www.lastudioprod.com/micheletreleaven.htm
11:30 a.m. - Shine
12:30 p.m. - Matt Robinson http://www.myspace.com/mattgrobinson
1 p.m. - Rose Ceremony
1:30 p.m. - Doublejack http://www.doublejack.ca/
2:30 p.m. - Desert Wind Belly Dancers http://www.desertwindbellydancers.com/
3 p.m. - Roughstock http://www.trevortown.com

Events Calendar - April

trevor.kenney — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 21:51:20 +0000

Pronghorn Athletics

Apr. 1 | Blue & Gold Athletic Awards
Lethbridge Lodge

Lectures

Mar. 31 | Faculty of Management/CMA Speaker Series
Dragons' Den star Brett Wilson
9:30 to 10:45 a.m., Students' Union Ballroom B

Mar. 31 | Art Now: Marcus Miller
Noon, ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Recital Hall (W570)

Apr. 1 | Biology Seminar – Dr. Keith Hobson | Using Stable Isotopes to Track Animal Movements
12:25 p.m., B650

Apr. 7 | Art Now: Annie Martin
Noon, ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Recital Hall (W570)

Apr. 9 | Art Now: Brenda Draney
Noon, ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Recital Hall (W570)

Apr. 12 | Architecture & Design Now: David Battersby | 6 p.m., C610

Apr. 21 | Women Scholars Speaker Series
Helen Kelly presents The Clinical Impact of eHealth on the Self-Management of diabetes
3 to 5 p.m., Andy's Place (AH100)

Performances

Apr. 6 | Music at Noon: Mace Hibbard (saxophone)
12:15 p.m., ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Recital Hall (W570)

Apr. 7 | U of L Jazz Ensemble Concert | 8 p.m., ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Theatre

Apr. 9-10 | Global Drums!
Steel drums, African drums, Taiko Ensemble, Brazilian Samba Ensemble
8 p.m. nightly, ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Theatre

Apr. 12 | Canadian Humourist Lorne Elliott | 8 p.m., ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Theatre

Apr. 13 | Music at Noon: Studio Showcase (music students)
12:15 p.m., ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Recital Hall (W570)

Apr. 17 | Faculty Artists & Friends: An American in Paris
Explore the 'French Connection', a cross-Atlantic musical exchange between American composers studying in Paris and French composers influenced by jazz and blues
8 p.m., ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Recital Hall (W570)

Apr. 20-21 | Art Student
Open House
Student artwork exhibited throughout the art department

May 1 | 1940s Big Band Jazz
David Renter's Contemporary Jazz Works Orchestra
8 p.m., Southminster Church

Miscellaneous

Mar. 12 to Apr. 9 | Works on Paper from the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Art Collection
Curators: Museum Studies Interns

Mar. 12 to Apr. 9 | Annual Curated Student Exhibition
U of L Main Gallery

Mar. 31 | Regional Centre for Urban Aboriginal Research: A Symposium
Presenters Dr. Caroline Tait and
Dr. David Newhouse
9:30 a.m. to noon, Andy's Place (AH100)

Apr. 8 | CAETL Graduate Student Workshop | 2 to 4 p.m., Andy's Place (AH100)

Apr. 10 | ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Forecast Dinner
Speakers Robert Cooper, Jason Hornett and Stephen J. Mantrop
4:30 p.m., Students' Union Ballroom

Apr. 13 | LPIRG Annual
General Meeting
7 p.m., Galileo's Gallery

Apr. 16 to June 4 | The 1940s
Exhibition featuring works from the U of L Art Collection and Galt Museum/Archives
Helen Christou Gallery

Apr. 24 | Culture Vulture Saturday
Button making with Trap/door Artist Run Centre | 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Art Gallery

May 1 | Steps for Life Walk
Southern AB North American Occupational Safety and Health presents 5km walk at Henderson Lake picnic area. Register by Apr. 15 by contacting Suzanne McIntosh, wellness co-ordinator at suzanne.mcintosh@uleth.ca

Finding a way to keep the winter blahs at bay

trevor.kenney — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 22:47:51 +0000

It's February, and I am finding it hard to keep the winter blahs away. The next few months are my least favorite because it seems like we have had winter (especially this year!) forever, and we are still too far away from spring to be thinking about golf or gardening.

So how can we keep the winter blahs at bay? Some suggestions:

• Plan a winter getaway

Whether it's a day at the ski hill, a trip to a different city (both Calgary and Medicine Hat are close enough for a day trip), or an all-out escape to a warm destination (my personal favorite), just thinking about and planning a getaway will give you something to look forward to.

• Register for a class or try something new

There are lots of free or inexpensive events happening at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ or throughout the city. The Galt Museum and Lethbridge Public Library have weekly events, and Lethbridge College offers one-night cooking classes throughout the semester.

• See a play or a musical performance

The U of L Faculty of Fine Arts has plenty of offerings in the next couple of months. Check their schedule at: www.uleth.ca/finearts/events

• Register for an upcoming run

The Moonlight Run is a fun one to do because your exhilarating evening walk or run is followed up with pizza. Proceeds of the run go to the Lethbridge Food Bank and the Lethbridge Coulee Clean Up program.

• Go for a walk

According to a study by the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Washington, people who took a brisk outdoor walk for 20 minutes a day showed better moods, higher self-esteem and an improved sense of well-being. Just 15 minutes outside will give you your Vitamin D fix for the day. Vitamin D is linked to boosting moods, creating healthy bones and helps ward off osteoporosis, LDL (or bad) cholesterol and heart disease. Given that February is heart month, it's a great time to start improving heart health!

Suzanne McIntosh is the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge coordinator of wellness programs

WINTER WALK DAY

February 10th is Winter Walk day here at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ and in Lethbridge. The Wellness Committee will have a table set up over the lunch hour, at the south doors of the 1st Choice Savings Centre for Sport and Wellness.

We encourage you to sign up so the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ can register the number of walkers participating that day. This can be a start for your training for the Bee Heart Smart contest coming up in only a few short months! Last year there were 82 registered walkers – let's see if we can beat this.

NAOSH WEEK

The U of L Risk and Safety Services and Wellness departments have been involved in the Southern AB NAOSH (North American Occupational Safety and Health) week for the past few years and the U of L has historically been a proud supporter of events for this week. The focus for NAOSH week will again be the Steps for Life walk to take place on May 1. All proceeds from the walk support the Threads of Life organization (www.threadsoflife.ca/threads), a national, registered charitable organization dedicated to supporting families along their journey of healing who have suffered from a workplace fatality, life-altering illness or occupational disease. The organization helps these families protect future generations of Canadian workers.

In 2009, the Southern AB NAOSH Committee raised $7043.67 that was donated to Threads of Life. This year, the committee is hoping to raise $10,000. The U of L is putting the challenge out to departments around campus to enter a team for the Steps of Life walk by registering at: http://stepsforlife.ca/Communities/Lethbridge.htm

The walk is a 5km walk around Henderson Lake. The registration fee of $100 per team (of 10 people) includes a barbecue, t-shirts, water bottles and draw prizes. Children are welcome and are free to enter. Visit Suzanne McIntosh in SU020E for a registration package.

Support the Paddlers and Dux

trevor.kenney — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 19:58:39 +0000

The Pronghorn Paddlers and Fiat Dux intend to make waves this weekend when they once again hit the waters of Henderson Lake for the ATB Financial Rotary Dragon Boat Festival.

The Henderson Park extravaganza takes place Saturday and Sunday and invites 62 teams from across western Canada to take part in the event. Qualifying races begin Saturday morning and run throughout the day with semifinal and final races scheduled to run throughout the day Sunday. U of L teams hit the water for their Saturday qualifiers at 8 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. on Saturday.

Members of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ community are encouraged to head out to Henderson Lake to cheer on their cohorts as they paddle for glory. The U of L is a Silver sponsor of the popular community event, and many members of the U of L community are involved as race officials, organizers and members of other teams.

For more information on the ATB Financial Rotary Dragon Boat Festival, visit www.lethbridgedragonfest.ca

UNews - Henderson Lake

Indigenous women from Mexico experience Blackfoot and Canadian cultures

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Paddlers and Dux are festival ready

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Events Calendar - April

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Finding a way to keep the winter blahs at bay

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Support the Paddlers and Dux

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