We acknowledge Indigenous Peoples as the first people of Canada.

Throughout the month of June, we've highlighted information about our Indigenous support services, activities and opportunities available to our students as well as other local, regional and provincial resources that support Indigenous communities and students. Our goal has been to share this information to strengthen our community's knowledge and awareness of Indigenous histories, culture and contemporary issues. In addition to that, we want to celebrate our Indigenous community.

As Indigenous History Month comes to an end this year, I am reflecting on the opportunities that never were for the 215 Indigenous children discovered on the grounds of the Kamloops Residential School on the Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation and those recently found near the former Marieval Indian Residential School on Cowessess First Nation.

Together, we mourn with the nation for all Indigenous children who did not return home.

We acknowledge the legacy of the Indian Residential Schools system and will continue our work to respond to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's calls to action.

We'll continue to grow our offering of courses and programs that support the preservation, revitalization and strengthening of Indigenous languages and culture. We'll continue to integrate Indigenous knowledge and teaching methods in the classroom, and hold events when we can in the future.

Ensuring supports and services are available for our Indigenous students and community remains a priority for Lakeland. We'll continue to support Truth and Reconciliation initiatives with our community partners, including the Indigenous Economic Partnership Summit Committee and the Heart of Treaty 6 Committee.

Acknowledging, honouring and learning from the truth is an important part of our role as an educational institution, a member of our community and an ally to Indigenous Peoples.

We are committed to moving forward on the path to reconciliation.

Dr. Alice Wainwright-Stewart
President and CEO
Lakeland College

Photo: Dr. Alice Wainwright-Stewart talks with members of the Indigenous Student Committee in the Indigenous Student Lounge on the Lloydminster campus.