U of L receives special honour to begin Native Awareness Week
The University of Lethbridge received a special honour on Monday to celebrate its longstanding relationship with Indigenous peoples.
It received its own ceremonial pipe, made by an elder from the Piikani First Nation and engraved with a pronghorn.
A pipe offering and mini powwow kicked off the university’s Native Awareness Week, which runs until Friday.
“The offer of prayer with a pipe is very significant and powerful for the Blackfoot people,” explained Ryan Crosschild, a U of L program specialist.
“It is a form of Blackfoot lawmaking and, therefore, when the university offers prayer for the pipe, it is for the university community so they can continue to be successful.”
Mike Mahon, U of L president and vice-chancellor, took part in the pipe offering with several Elders and expressed gratitude for the honour, especially as the U of L is celebrating its 50th anniversary.
“In the years ahead, the pipe will serve as a symbol of the special relationship that exists between First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples and the university,” said Mahon.
A location to publicly display the pipe is still to be determined.
Native Awareness Week provides a reminder for everyone to learn more about Indigenous culture and practices and reflect on the history, sacrifices, contributions and culture of FNMI peoples.
It’s also a reminder to “acknowledge the tough subjects and negativity that have come from years of colonization and to re-emphasize the importance of reconciliation,” said Crosschild.
“Native Awareness Week is one of the ways to showcase culture and bring awareness to the issues identified by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and to start a dialogue to figure out the best way to move forward.”
Several other events are planned to highlight NAW.
Today, fry bread and berry soup will be served from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the University Hall Atrium, followed by Medicine Bag Making from noon to 2:30 p.m.
On Wednesday, Linda Many Guns, a professor in the Faculty of Native American Studies, will hold a public lecture. The talk, entitled “The Indigenous Collective Mind,” is scheduled from 3:05 to 5 p.m. in Room B660, University Hall.
On Thursday from 10 to 11 a.m., Jackson 2Bears, a Mohawk multimedia artist based in Victoria, B.C., will present FNMI Art & Creative Cultural Praxis at Andy’s Place (AH 100).
A full schedule of events is available on the U of L notice board.