UNews - Roy Pogorzelski

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ proudly raises Blackfoot Confederacy Flag

trevor.kenney — Thu, 20 Sep 2018 15:13:52 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge is honoured by its relationship with the local Blackfoot community and proud to be located on traditional Blackfoot territory. Today, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ is excited to celebrate this intrinsic bond by permanently raising and flying the Blackfoot Confederacy Flag.

The raising of the Blackfoot Confederacy Flag is symbolic of the desire to reconcile relations between aboriginal and non-aboriginal Canadians.

For more than 50 years, Indigenous culture has been woven into the fabric of the U of L, from establishing one of Canada’s first Native American Studies departments to the creation of a unique protocol handbook and the dedication of the Iikaisskini Gathering Place, among others. The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ is both humbled and emboldened by its ties to the Blackfoot community and its contribution to enriching programming, teaching and research at the U of L, and creating an environment of respect and inclusion.

“The relationship we have traditionally fostered with the Blackfoot community has taken on increased significance since the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC) released its historic reports and findings,” says U of L President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Mike Mahon. “While we have long valued our role as leaders in creating opportunity for Indigenous populations, we recognize there is much more to be done and are eager to contribute to reconciliation efforts.”

The raising of the Blackfoot Confederacy Flag is symbolic of that desire to reconcile relations between aboriginal and non-aboriginal Canadians.

“This is a historic occasion for the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge as the institution continues to work towards its commitment to the TRC’s Calls to Action and creating a safe and inclusive atmosphere on campus for Indigenous students,” says Roy Pogorzelski, director of Indigenous Student Affairs. “The raising of the Blackfoot Confederacy Flag is an ongoing territorial acknowledgement that the U of L is situated on Blackfoot territory, and is a strong step towards creating a campus of reconciliation.”

Mahon says it is a responsibility of not only the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, but all post-secondary institutions, to educate on a broad scale and to bring issues of reconciliation to the forefront.

“I believe we are a powerful collective that can contribute significantly to this nation by teaching a clearer understanding of our shared history, closing knowledge gaps for aboriginal and non-aboriginal students, and creating innovative solutions that facilitate action,” he says.

For Blackfoot students, the presence of the Blackfoot Confederacy Flag on campus is a symbol of acceptance and a commitment from the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ to continue its efforts to create an environment where students, faculty and community members find support.

“It is a proud moment for our people, as our flag is lifted so are our spirits,” says Piinaakoyim “SeenFromAfar” Tailfeathers, a fourth-year Dhillon School of Business student. “The Siksikaitsitapii have inhabited this territory since time immemorial, it is only right for our flag to fly. This is a small, yet significant step forward, and it is my wish that the institution continues this important work in the years to come. This has been many years in the making, and I have been looking forward to this momentous day.”

The Blackfoot Confederacy Flag will fly alongside flags representing Canada, the Province of Alberta and the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge on the patio outside the Students’ Union.

Indigenous students have option to wear own regalia as ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ makes changes to Convocation

trevor.kenney — Tue, 29 May 2018 21:07:20 +0000

Some significant and meaningful changes to ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Convocation proceedings will debut this week as the U of L graduates over 1,300 students at its 2018 Spring Convocation ceremonies on Thursday and Friday.

Charlene Bruised Head-Mountain Horse and her colleagues in the Iikaisskini Gathering Place designed the new Convocation stole.

For the first time, self-declared North American Indigenous students will have the option of wearing their traditional regalia to Convocation in lieu of the black gown. As well, each of these students will also be presented with an Indigenous Stole that was designed and created by Charlene Bruised Head-Mountain Horse and her colleagues in the Iikaisskini Gathering Place.

Located on traditional Blackfoot territory, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ has long incorporated Indigenous culture into its formal proceedings. The newly created stole features traditional symbols such as an eagle feather, an Inukshuk, the Métis infinity symbol, the U of L buffalo and school crest.

“The Indigenous stole represents and reflects an inclusiveness to our Indigenous students on campus,” says Roy Pogorzelski, director of Iikaisskini Gathering Place. “The eagle feather represents our status and non-status First Nations students, the infinity sign represents our Métis students, the Inukshuk represents our Inuit students and the buffalo acknowledges the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ is situated on Blackfoot territory. The stoles that are being gifted to our Indigenous graduates celebrate their success and accomplishments throughout their academic journey and the wearing of cultural regalia portrays an active commitment towards reconciliation by the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ.”

Students will still wear the U of L hood during proceedings, as the colour of each hood represents the Faculty and degree they are receiving.

“Seeing the pride of culture amongst our Indigenous students as they wear their regalia in this context is a very meaningful thing,” says Kathleen Massey, the U of L’s associate vice-president (students). “I expect to see great variety in colours, representing the diversity and inclusivity of our campus. And colour means celebration, which will really add to the festive nature of the event and the significance of the celebration.”

One further addition to this year’s program is that Convocation will be signed for the deaf and hearing impaired.

“I feel a great sense of pride in making these changes to our ceremonies,” says Massey. “This is a very public event and an opportunity for the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ to express its values. These are meaningful changes that embrace the diversity in our community and say that the U of L is always a home for them.”

Spring 2018 Convocation is open to the public (Thursday, May 31 and Friday, June 1, 9:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. each day), or can be viewed via live streaming by following the links at uleth.ca/convocation.

U of L names new director for Iikaisskini FNMI Gathering Place

caroline.zentner — Wed, 28 Jun 2017 16:33:55 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge is pleased to announce that Roy Pogorzelski has been appointed director for the Iikaisskini (Low Horn) FNMI Gathering Place, established in 2014 to be a welcoming place where appreciation and respect for First Nations, Métis and Inuit heritage is fostered.

“We are very excited to welcome Roy to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge,” says Dr. Mark Slomp, executive director of Student Services. “He is a dynamic, interesting and passionate individual who excels at building relationships and bringing people together to create positive change.”

Pogorzelski, a traditional Métis from Saskatchewan, has extensive experience in the areas of human rights, inclusion, racism and reconciliation. He worked with several municipalities to create a National Equity and Inclusion Guide, facilitated human rights training in Europe, instructed courses at the First Nations ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Canada and at the U of L and chaired the Reconciliation Committee for the City of Lethbridge. Melanie Joly, Canadian Heritage minister, recently appointed Pogorzelski to a four-year term as a director for the Canadian Race Relations Foundation.

He is currently Inclusion Consultant with the City of Lethbridge and was recently invited to represent UNESCO Canada for the City of Lethbridge at International Coalition of Cities Against Racism (ICCAR) meetings in Kenya. In addition to being a U of L senator, Pogorzelski is a member of the Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce where he serves as co-chair of the Aboriginal Opportunities Committee. He is also a member of the Alberta Provincial Hate Crimes Committee and a founding member of the Rotary Club of Lethbridge Mosaic.

Pogorzelski has received numerous awards for his work, including being named a Human Rights Champion by the John Humphrey Centre for Peace and Human Rights. For his work in organizing an Oktoberfest YQL festival, he received the 2016 Festival of the Year award. He also received a Top 40 under 40 designation from the Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce.

As Iikaisskini director, Pogorzelski will be responsible for managing and administering programs, services and staff of the Gathering Place. He’ll support collaboration between Indigenous peoples and administrators, faculty and staff across the U of L to foster initiatives and services that enhance the success of Indigenous students. Further, he will provide leadership in organizing and supporting cultural activities and interactions between Indigenous peoples, the U of L, the City of Lethbridge, partner institutions and the surrounding community. Pogorzelski will assume his new role on Aug. 15.

Campus ready to celebrate Native Awareness Week

trevor.kenney — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 15:24:55 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge boasts a strong and vibrant aboriginal community. That is especially evident during the annual Native Awareness Week, this year running Mar. 1-5.

A variety of events, including drumming and dancing, art shows, lectures, films, videos and panel discussions allows the entire campus community to celebrate this rich culture.

Following is a list of events for Native Awareness Week.

Monday, Mar. 1

10 a.m. – Opening Ceremonies & prayers, Atrium

Noon – Art Now: David General, Faculty of Fine Arts (W570)

1:30 p.m. – NASA Art Show, NAS Department

Tuesday, Mar. 2

10 a.m. – Writing on Stone, Kainai High School and Tatsikiisaapo'p Middle School Students Sing, Dance and Drum, Atrium.

Noon to 3 p.m. Storyteller & Make Your Own Medicine Bag Project, SU Ballroom A

Wednesday, Mar. 3

9:30 a.m. to Noon – FNMI Languages, Cultures and Identities: Six Special Academic-Community Lectures, Atrium

Noon to 1 p.m. – Special Video Presentation: Qallunaut! Why White People are So Funny, Atrium

Noon to 3 p.m. – Language, Culture and Identity Panel, L1060

3 to 7 p.m. – Participatory Language Teaching Demonstration, Language and Culture Videos, L1060

7 to 9 p.m. – Roy Pogorzelski, Metis Scholar TKARONTO Award-Winning Film on Urban Aboriginal Identities, L1060

Thursday, Mar. 4

10 a.m. to 3 p.m. – The Identity Dialogues, Andy's Place (AH100)

Friday, Mar. 5

Noon – Métis Star Dancers, Atrium

1 to 2 p.m. – FNMI Alumni Chapter Mix and Mingle, ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Theatre foyer

2 p.m. – Fine Arts presents Static and Contemporary Indigenous Performing Arts Dialogue, ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Theatre

UNews - Roy Pogorzelski

��Ѹ�����Դ���߿�Ƭ proudly raises Blackfoot Confederacy Flag

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