Bow Valley College celebrates Indigenous Awareness Month
By Bow Valley College
Photo Courtesy of Bow Valley College
The month’s events include a community fair, art display, traditional foods, film presentations, origin stories, a language pronunciation session and teachings led by Cultural Resource Elders. The showcase will also feature Powwow and Metis dance performances.
Noella Wells, Iniikokaan Centre Director, says the event has grown in scope and interest since last year –a clear indicator that people want to expand their knowledge and awareness.
The United Nations’ has designated 2019 as the year of Indigenous Languages. This recognition is also in agreement with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) of Canada’s Calls to Action in order to make language a priority.
The College has taken a proactive step in developing an Indigenization strategy, which includes recruiting and retaining more Indigenous learners and employees, raising awareness, understanding, and creating mutually beneficial relationships with Indigenous peoples, communities and post-secondary institutions.
James Kuptana, Indigenization Strategy Specialist, Learner Services and Finance, sees the forward-thinking strategy as two-fold, a primary architect of the project, and sees the forward-thinking strategy as two-fold.
“The first aspect is to make the college more inclusive of Indigenous peoples, ways of knowing, understanding and learning. The other is to initiate a systems and transformational change. The college has been on a journey of reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples for over a decade.”
Working in partnership with Indigenous communities including the Kainai, the Piikani, the Siksika, the Tsuut’ina, the Stoney Nakoda and the Metis Nation of Alberta Region #3, Bow Valley College is committed to integrate Indigenous practices, develop focused educational programs, boost community involvement and build respectful relationships at all campus locations across Alberta, including Strathmore.