HONOURING FIRST NATIONS
U of W dedicates Turtle Island Walk
It was a great step by the University of Windsor to dedicate its newly constructed primary campus corridor Turtle Island Walk, said members of the area’s Indigenous community on Thursday.
“The dedication of Turtle Island Walk is extremely important,” said Kathryn Pasquach, Aboriginal outreach co-ordinator at the university. “To have the university recognize Indigenous people is an important step toward reconciliation.
“It’s important to show the community we are taking steps to bring cultural awareness, not just to this university, but the city as a whole. We have momentum now and I think it’s only going to grow.”
The new corridor, which stretches through the heart of campus, was created thanks to the recent street closure of a large portion of the former Sunset Avenue, just north of Wyandotte Street West.
University president Alan Wildeman called the naming of the Turtle Island Walk “proper recognition” for this area’s Indigenous people.
“This is Indigenous territory and it’s time we acknowledge that and celebrate that,” he said.
“When people come to our campus there will now be a recognition for that great history.
“That’s very important and it’s also great for our Indigenous students.”
A dedication ceremony for Turtle Island Walk took place throughout the day Thursday starting in the early morning with a ceremony welcoming the sunrise down at the riverfront, followed by traditional dancers and drummers, the dedication ceremony, a campus community barbecue and Aboriginal culture workshops.
The new walkway features seating areas, artwork and green space, which all includes an Indigenous theme.
Artist Teresa Altiman of Walpole Island First Nation was honoured to have six pieces of her art hanging from banners along the corridor.
“I am really thrilled to see my work up here,” she said.
“I am very pleased the university decided to make this walkway dedicated as Turtle Island. I feel it is something many educational institutions are starting to do and acknowledge the land we stand on belongs to First Nations people.
“That feels so good to be educating the students here and others.”