UNews - Blackfoot

School of Liberal Education celebrates Blackfoot heritage by accepting image of the turtle as an official symbol

trevor.kenney — Tue, 25 Sep 2018 17:30:41 +0000

For more than 50 years, Indigenous culture has been woven into the fabric of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, enriching programming, teaching and research, and creating an environment where students find community, support and success. Today, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ’s School of Liberal Education is proud to celebrate this heritage by accepting the Blackfoot image of the turtle as an official symbol.

The West Lethbridge Turtle Effigy, seen in this aerial photo, is located just south of the U of L campus. The date of its creation is unknown.

In Blackfoot culture, turtles are considered to be a symbol of creation and motherhood, and embody a similar idea as that conveyed by the term “Mother Earth” in English.

“By adopting the turtle as a representation of the ideals of Liberal Education, we are at once respecting the heritage of the Blackfoot culture and the land on which we sit, while celebrating the core philosophy of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ,” says Dr. Shelly Wismath, dean of the School of Liberal Education.

The Blackfoot people and many other cultures around the world create geoglyphs, which are arrangements of rocks or other durable materials in prominent places in the landscape. Geoglyphs often depict animals or shapes considered to be spiritually significant and convey special meaning to the members of a culture.

There are a number of turtle effigies or geoglyphs on traditional Blackfoot territory. One such geoglyph, the West Lethbridge Turtle Effigy, is located just south of the U of L campus and overlooks the Oldman River valley. Currently, a Blackfoot artist is creating a rendering of the effigy that will be used by the School of Liberal Education going forward.

“To Blackfoot people, the turtle is patient, wise, knowledgeable and long-lived,” says Mike Oka, consultation manager, Blood Tribe and External Affairs. “The Blackfoot saying, Iikakimat mookakiit, meaning be wise and preserve, can be used to describe a turtle’s characteristics. These characteristics fit well with the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ’s liberal education philosophy.”

Distinguished Niitsitapi Scholar, Dr. Leroy Little Bear (BASc ’72, DASc ’04), has translated the four pillars of the School of Liberal Education into Blackfoot. They are as follows:

Breadth – Kanohsoohka’pii
Connections – Sokitapiiwahsini
Critical Thinking – Isstanisskska’taksini
Civic Engagement – Isstaahkohanaokoi’kio’pi

The School of Liberal Education was established in July 2017 to promote liberal education as the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ’s foundational teaching and learning philosophy. It is based on four pillars: breadth across disciplines; connecting and integrating knowledge across disciplines and viewpoints; critical thinking and problem solving; and education for citizenship and community betterment. Students with a grounding in liberal education, which incorporates the sciences, social sciences, fine arts and humanities, are better prepared to solve problems in the 21st century and to succeed in future careers.

Scholarship program to honour influential quartet, support educational opportunities for Blackfoot students

trevor.kenney — Wed, 15 Nov 2017 17:22:04 +0000

In honour of National Philanthropy Day on Wednesday, Nov. 15, those of us at the U of L's UNews website wanted to highlight some stories from our archives. Each day this week, we'll republish a story that demonstrates the many ways the campus community benefits from philanthropy. Our second story describes the efforts of the Janes to honour Blackfoot Elders and create awards for Blackfoot students.

Seeking to preserve the Blackfoot cultural legacies of four influential men while furthering educational opportunities for Blackfoot students, Dr. Robert and Mrs. Priscilla Janes and the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge have created a series of new student awards for Blackfoot students.

Dr. Robert and Mrs. Priscilla Janes and the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge have created a series of new student awards for Blackfoot students.

The awards, for both graduate and undergraduate level students from the Blackfoot Confederacy, are named in honour and in memory of Narcisse (Tatsikiistamik “Middle Bull”) Blood, Gerald (Sikapiistamix “Grey Bull”) Conaty, Allan (Mi’kskimmiisoka’simii “Iron Shirt”) Pard, and Frank (Miiksskim “Iron”) Weasel Head.

“I knew these men and worked with them closely over the course of 25 years and then, all of a sudden, they all passed away within about three years of each other,” says Dr. Janes. “That had been on my mind ever since and I’d been thinking, how can these men be recognized, and their legacies carried on in some way? So, Priscilla and I came up with this idea of scholarships, which we named for them.”

Janes, who now lives in Canmore with his wife Priscilla, has a long history of working with the country’s First Nations and Inuit peoples. He was the founding director of the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre in Yellowknife, NWT and spent 14 years working with Northern residents to establish the first professional museum in the Canadian Subarctic, as well as the Science Institute of the NWT.

Janes then took over as President and Chief Executive Officer at Calgary’s Glenbow Museum (1989-2000) and went to work on building stronger relationships with First Nations.

“That was a process of hiring the right people and developing relationships with the Four Nations of the Blackfoot Confederacy,” he says. “We began by striking a First Nations Advisory Council, hiring Blackfoot staff, and meeting the Blackfoot personally at their traditional ceremonies. Over time, a relationship of trust, mutual respect and learning developed. The culmination of this relationship was the decision to return sacred Blackfoot objects to the Confederacy – the largest repatriation of its kind in Canadian history.”

Upon leaving the Glenbow, Janes continued to work with First Nations peoples on a number of projects. When he looked at establishing a series of scholarships to honour his late colleagues, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge stood out due to its close relationship with the Blackfoot Confederacy and its longtime commitment to First Nations, Métis and Indigenous (FNMI) education.

“They were all key players in preserving the Blackfoot culture in Alberta,” Janes says of his late friends. “The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge was a natural because it truly is in the heart of Blackfoot country and has a very strong presence of both Blackfoot undergraduate and graduate students – it was just a natural fit.”

U of L President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Mike Mahon says the gift will further promote Blackfoot education at the U of L and serve as a valuable link to the men who were so committed to preserving Blackfoot culture.

“We’re extremely fortunate to be able to present these scholarships and very thankful to Dr. Janes and Priscilla for this enduring gift,” says Mahon, who was bestowed the Blackfoot name Iipisowahsi or Morning Star, meaning son of the sun and the moon, when he was inducted into the Kainai Chieftainship in 2012. “The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ embraces its responsibility to continue to provide educational opportunities for Blackfoot students and for preserving their rich culture for generations to come. Through this gift, Blackfoot students will be encouraged to celebrate the legacies left by these very influential and prominent men, and to continue the work they devoted so much to over the course of their lives.”

The undergraduate and graduate level awards will be available to students from the Blackfoot Confederacy: Siksika, Piikani (North and South Peigan) and Kainaiwa (Blood) who actively participate and contribute to their Blackfoot culture and heritage through activities of preservation, interpretation or celebration.

The first recipients of the awards are: Constance Day Chief (Dr. Gerald Conaty Memorial Award); Miracle Grier (Narcisse Blood Award); Alison Frank (Frank Weasel Head Award); Malcolm Many Chiefs (Allan Pard Award).

U of L dignitaries honoured with traditional Blackfoot names

trevor.kenney — Wed, 13 Sep 2017 17:30:11 +0000

One of the more iconic events of Homecoming Weekend was the traditional Blackfoot Naming ceremony that saw five esteemed members of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge community receive Blackfoot names.

Those honoured with Blacfoot names at the recent Homecoming Weekend included (from left) Dr. Van Christou, Dr. Dennis Connolly, Dr. Andy Hakin, Kurt Schalchter and Janice Varzari. U of L President Dr. Mike Mahon, far right, was previously honoured by the Blackfoot Nation.

A decades-long custom, the naming ceremony recognizes and celebrates the relationship between the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge and the Blackfoot Nation. Located in Treaty 7, the heart of traditional Blackfoot Territory, the U of L has enjoyed a deep and meaningful relationship with the Blackfoot people since its inception in 1967.

The latest memers of the U of L community to be honoured with traditional Blackfoot names are: Chancellor Janice Varzari (BN ’90, MEd ’02), Board of Governors Chair Kurt Schlachter (BSc ’00), longest-serving faculty member Dr. Dennis Connolly (LLD '17), Chancellor Emeritus Dr. Van Christou (LLD '84) and Provost & Vice-President (Academic) Dr. Andy Hakin.

Following are the traditional Blackfoot names bestowed upon the honorees.

Andrew Hakin, Provost & Vice-President (Academic) - Iinniowmoowakima – Herding the Buffalo

Kurt Schlachter, Chair, Board of Governors - Stamiksiiitoohkitapoyii- Bull Buffalo Standing on the Hill

Janice Varzari, Chancellor - Oohskwiikkitstakaakii – Blue Offering Woman

Dennis Connolly, Professor - Itiiomaahkaa – Long Journey

Van Christou, Chancellor Emeritus - Iinniowdoomoowa– Buffalo Leader

Traditional Blackfoot naming ceremony a highlight of Homecoming Weekend

trevor.kenney — Mon, 28 Aug 2017 17:00:52 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge is excited to welcome everyone to a special Homecoming Weekend this year, Sept. 1-3, 2017, as it celebrates its 50th anniversary.

Proud to be located in Treaty 7, the heart of traditional Blackfoot Territory, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ will see five outstanding members of its community, including four alumni, participate in a decades-long custom. Chancellor Janice Varzari (BN ’90, MEd ’02), Board of Governors Chair Kurt Schlachter (BSc ’00), longest-serving faculty member Dr. Dennis Connolly (LLD '17), Chancellor Emeritus Dr. Van Christou (LLD '84) and Provost & Vice-President (Academic) Dr. Andy Hakin will each be honoured with a Blackfoot name as they take part in a traditional naming ceremony.

“Our relationship with the Blackfoot people extends to the very beginning of the U of L and is one that figures prominently in everything we do here at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ,” says Dr. Mike Mahon, President and Vice-Chancellor.

Mahon was bestowed the Blackfoot name Iipisowahsi or Morning Star, meaning son of the sun and the moon, when he was inducted into the Kainai Chieftainship in 2012.

“That was a very significant ceremony for me, and I’m sure the distinguished group of individuals who will be granted their Blackfoot names this weekend see it as a great honour,” adds Mahon. “Blackfoot Elder Dr. Pete Standing Alone gave me my name, saying that the sun is the father and the moon is the mother. Therefore, when they are praying, they often refer to the morning star as their brother. That is very symbolic and reflects the relationship we want to continue to foster with the Blackfoot people.”

The naming ceremony (Saturday, Sept. 2, 12:30 to 2 p.m. in the Grove) is just one of a number of Homecoming activities. With three days of free events ranging from behind-the-scenes tours, hands-on workshops, fascinating speakers, live music, an open-air community fair and more, those returning to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ as well as newcomers will find plenty to do.

For a full list of Homecoming events, visit: https://blogs.ulethbridge.ca/50-years/schedule/.

FNMI protocol handbook created

trevor.kenney — Thu, 17 Oct 2013 20:38:08 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge General Faculties Council has approved a unique protocol handbook that will serve as a guideline for ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge faculty, staff, students and board and senate members when incorporating Blackfoot and other First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) cultural elements into activities or ceremonies on campus.

Eagle feathers are adorned for a convocation ceremony.

Dr. Judith Lapadat, associate vice-president (students), says the handbook will be a living document that she hopes will assist the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ community in acknowledging the many ties between the U of L and the Blackfoot community, as well as the other First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) communities that the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ serves.

“As part of the work done by Dr. Leroy Little Bear (BASc (BA) ’72, DASc ’04), Roy Weasel Fat and their team, who led us through a process to create our FNMI Centre, what we learned was that the process for acknowledging the roles Kaahsinnooniks (Elders) and other members of the Blackfoot and FNMI communities played in participating in campus activities wasn’t consistent,” says Lapadat. “We also felt that it was important to gather the knowledge about these processes together in one place, and to have them affirmed by members of the U of L community and the FNMI community for the future. An important outcome will be to increase access to Elders for students and other members of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ community.”

Little Bear, a professor of Native American Studies and the FNMI Advisor to the President, says the new FNMI handbook is an example of a continuing exchange for educational purposes.

“I was recently telling my class that one of the most profound ways that humans learn is through exchange with other humans and exchanges of ideas and experiences,” says Little Bear. “Not much learning occurs in a vacuum. The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge has developed and continues to foster these relationships, and I am very pleased to have had a role in developing this resource, which provides a foundation for ongoing exchange that we hope enriches the educational experience at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge.”

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge is situated on traditional Blackfoot territory.

Roy Weasel Fat assisted in his role as Interim Director of the FNMI Centre to ensure that local Elders were involved in the development of the handbook.

“It is important to consult our Kaahsinnooniks (Elders) on such activities, particularly as it relates to protocol,” says Weasel Fat, who has recently been appointed as the President of Red Crow Community College in Standoff, Alta.

Lapadat says the information in the FNMI Handbook was extensively reviewed, and will be made widely available. The protocol guide explains the significance of FNMI traditional activities at events such as convocation, the significance of an eagle feather gift, and also how to properly pronounce a greeting in Blackfoot, among other topics.

“This is a unique way of sharing knowledge, which is very important to members of the Blackfoot community,” says Lapadat. “We are on traditional Blackfoot land, and by acknowledging that, and respecting Blackfoot traditions and protocols, we are demonstrating that we are willing to share, just as Leroy, Roy and many others have shared their knowledge with the U of L community to make this guide possible.”

The protocol guide is available at this website. Additional information about FNMI Initiatives at the U of L can be found in the Report to the President on FNMI Centre. FNMI Services, student activities and resources for current and future students are available here.

UNews - Blackfoot

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