UNews - Iikaisskini Gathering Place

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge officially opens Iikaisskini Gathering Centre

trevor.kenney — Thu, 22 Sep 2022 16:40:21 +0000

One of the most important areas on the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge campus opened today and fittingly, it is named after one of ULethbridge’s most iconic figures, Dr. Leroy Little Bear (BASc (BA) ’72, DASc ’04). ULethbridge officially opened the Iikaisskini (Low Horn) Gathering Centre as an integral space for Indigenous students and the campus community to come together in ceremony, celebration and learning.

Education is the new buffalo.

“When I came to university, there was no such thing as a gathering centre. Had there been a centre, I would have really enjoyed the place and I'd probably be running from one computer to another,” says Little Bear. “A centre like the Iikaisskini Gathering Centre starts to bring about an atmosphere of inclusion, and notions of diversity and equity all start to come into the picture. The Iikaisskini Gathering Centre serves that purpose.”

The gathering centre is an integral and unique feature of ULethbridge. It is designed as a welcoming home away from home, a space appropriate for ceremony, smudging and celebration, where students and other members of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ community can gather and collaboratively support one another in their educational aspirations.

“Creating opportunity and an inclusive campus environment for all students is integral to our university and the experience of our students,” says Dr. Mike Mahon, president and vice-chancellor. “This is a welcoming space in the heart of campus, and one which
I invite everyone to visit to engage with one another and to learn from each other.”

The centre provides students a place to meet with Elders and share stories, teaching and wisdom. It is representative of a vibrant and powerful cultural community where Blackfoot and other Indigenous languages are spoken, and where students can explore new knowledge together.

It was named Iikaisskini in honour of Little Bear and his Blackfoot name to recognize his many contributions and services to ULethbridge and to Indigenous Peoples around the world. Iikaisskini Indigenous Services, the department that oversees operation of the gathering centre, is also named after Little Bear, who is an adjunct professor with the Dhillon School of Business, special advisor to the president and a distinguished Niitsitapi scholar.

Little Bear champions Indigenous ways of knowing and being and continues to advance and advocate for Indigenous knowledge in higher education. His work around Indigenous rights, treaties, traditional knowledge and culture has influenced students and communities around the world.

Directly translated, Iikaisskini [ee-GUS-ganee] means low horn.

“The real meaning of it and where the notion of low horn comes from, is if you can picture a buffalo with its head down in attack mode, that's what the low horn really refers to,” says Little Bear, who has been appointed to the Order of Canada and the Alberta Order of Excellence.

The buffalo holds great significance in Blackfoot culture as a keystone species.

“The buffalo was a very important animal in our culture. Wherever the buffalo roams, it brings about ecological balance. They're so important, that we refer to them as eco-engineers,” says Little Bear.

Its importance today comes in the notion that education is the new buffalo.

“Some of our Elders talk about the buffalo as our education portal. They start to speak about education, especially university education, as the new buffalo,” says Little Bear. “In my own life I've always pushed for education. To have my name associated with an institution like ULethbridge is a great honour, but more importantly, is that the legacy of the buffalo is being incorporated into the overall ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ culture.”

The Iikaisskini (Low Horn) Gathering Centre is now open for students, staff and faculty to study, relax, visit with friends, family and colleagues or engage in prayer or ceremony to set their paths forward in a good way. The Centre is located in the Centre for the Arts Atrium in room W650.

The Iikaisskini (Low Horn) Gathering Centre is supported by generous donations from the Government of Alberta, the Government of Canada’s Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP) and an investment from TD Bank Financial Group.

Record number of Indigenous students graduating throughout Spring 2022 Convocation celebrations

trevor.kenney — Tue, 31 May 2022 16:19:31 +0000

A positive trend has been developing at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge as more and more Indigenous students are earning post-secondary degrees, culminating with a record 98 graduates crossing the stage at the 2021/22 convocation ceremonies.

Trishell Provost (BA '19) is a graduate from the 2019 class who majored in kinesiology.

Nestled in the heart of Blackfoot Territory, ULethbridge has long nurtured its relationship with the Indigenous communities of southern Alberta and in 1975 established one of Canada’s first Departments of Native American Studies. In recent years, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ made it a strategic initiative to advance learning options and supports for Indigenous students through a variety of programs.

“When you see the number of Indigenous students who are finding success and completing their academic careers consistently increase, there is intentionality behind it,” says Dr. Mike Mahon, president and vice-chancellor.

Over the last decade, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ has graduated, on average, 50 to 75 self-declared Indigenous students between the spring and fall convocation ceremonies. In the last three academic years, those numbers have shot up to 87, 84 and 99 students respectively. The roots of that growth can be traced.

In 2011, Mahon asked Roy Weasel Fat, then Red Crow Community College vice-president (academic), and ULethbridge faculty members Drs. Leroy Little Bear (BASc (BA) ’72, DASc ’04) and Jane O'Dea to create a strategy to support Indigenous students, faculty, staff and community members. The seven recommendations they submitted set a course of action and elicited a pledge from Mahon.

“We will place greater focus on recruiting and retaining Blackfoot and other First Nations, Métis, and Inuit students, the fastest growing young adult population in Canada,” said Mahon at the time. “However, enrolment is not the only reason to focus on this population. Creating opportunity and an inclusive campus environment for all students is simply the right thing to do.”

The establishment of the Iniskim Education Committee followed in 2013, and in 2014, a Memorandum of Understanding with Red Crow Community College was signed, and the Iikaisskini Student Gathering Place opened. The calls of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission further highlighted the need for educational institutions to develop and implement a process of truth and healing and in 2019, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ appointed Charles Weaselhead as its 14th chancellor and first of Indigenous descent. Later that year, EleV — the monumental partnership initiative between the Blackfoot Confederacy, ULethbridge and the Mastercard Foundation — was born.

“I’ve always had a passion for our young people to grow and find success,” says Weaselhead, who will be presiding over the final convocation ceremonies of his term this week. “I never considered myself a formal role model, but I think being named chancellor, it probably opened some eyes and opened up minds for our young people and our community that there is a place for them here and these positions are possible.”

Lindi Shade, manager of Iikaisskini Indigenous Services, says it is gratifying to see the programs working and students reaping the benefits.

“It is inspiring to see our Indigenous students attend the U of L, complete degrees and go forward to serve all communities,” says Shade. “At Ikaisskini Indigenous Services we are so proud of all the Indigenous graduates at this year's convocation, and we wish them the very best in their future careers.”

U of L appoints new manager of Indigenous Student Services

caroline.zentner — Wed, 04 Mar 2020 16:50:21 +0000

Lindi Shade (BA ’06) brings plenty of wellness experience to her new role as manager of Indigenous Student Services at Iikaisskini Gathering Place, and she’s eager to help students succeed and build cross-cultural connections.

Originally from the Kainai First Nation, Shade completed a bachelor of arts with a major in psychology at the U of L. She continued her studies, finishing both a bachelor and master of social work at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Calgary’s Lethbridge campus.

Shade, the mother of three children, calls Lethbridge home and she’s lived in the city for more than 20 years. Since completing her university education, Shade has primarily worked in mental health. She worked as a clinical therapist with youth, adolescents and families and, in 2017, became director of the Kainai Wellness Centre. She later returned to a clinical setting with the Piikani First Nation and worked with people who had experienced complex trauma.

Shade felt a pull toward working at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ. Her mother also attended the U of L and Shade recalls taking piano lessons on campus.

“I was always part of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ community so, in that sense, it was like coming home for me,” she says. “I’m comfortable here and I really enjoy the atmosphere and the environment of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ. I was very honoured when I was selected as the manager. To me, it felt like this is where I was supposed to be, working with students, engaging with them and ensuring they get through their programs successfully.”

In her role as manager of Indigenous Student Services, Shade’s main focuses will be on the mental health of students and having elders available for students when needed, as well as having more programs, such as workshops and info-sessions, at the Iikaisskini Centre.

“The underlying foundation of Iikaisskini is to be a home away from home and ensure Indigenous, Métis and Inuit student succeed,” says Shade. “The beautiful part of my job is that I get to be a part of that and have the opportunity to connect them to services and supports. I feel very fortunate to be in this capacity.”

Shade also wants to develop a cross-cultural paradigm to build connections between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people, both local and international, on campus.

“We want to start bridging those gaps; we want to start connecting so non-Indigenous folks are comfortable coming to the centre and learning more about the culture,” Shade says.

��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.

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��Ѹ�����Դ���߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge officially opens Iikaisskini Gathering Centre

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