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Indigenous cultural supports

Indigenous Supports

Contact Us

Indigenous Supports
 indigenous@lakelandcollege.ca
 780 871 5444
 

Helping Indigenous students reclaim their culture is one of the ways Lakeland College supports the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's 94 calls to action.

Equally important is learning opportunities for non-Indigenous students, staff and faculty. See more information on our Truth and Reconciliation page.

Check each dropdown below for more information about specific actions and activities.

If you'd like more information, please email indigenous@lakelandcollege.ca or contact a member of our Indigenous services team.

3 members of indigenous student council with Rikki DucharmeThe council a place where students collaborate and create a sense of community.

Activities have ranged through Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW) walks and Aboriginal Awareness days.

Three members of the council drafted a land acknowledgement for the college. Askīyiwimamīhcītotamowin that was unveiled in April 2022. Photo at right shows the council members Ryan Powder, Kiera Comeau, Rikki Ducharme and Samantha O'Reilly at the event. Ducharme is the Indigenous services manager.

If you'd like be a member of the council, email Indigenous@lakelandcollege.ca

elder speaks about ceremonies

Elders are a key way to connect with culture. As knowledge keepers their role is to connect with you, answer your questions and be a gentle support. At left a local elder Brent Dillon discusses Cree ceremonies at an event in the Otôtemiwewin Student Lounge.

Among their activities:

  • hosting Sharing Circles
  • participating in speaking series
  • visiting classrooms
  • offering opening and closing prayers at convocation

Lakeland College committed to the principles of the Truth and Reconciliation report several years ago. Over time, these activities based on teaching all Canadians the truth about Indigenous experiences resulting from the national policies of assimilation and the Indian Residential School system.President Alice Wainwright-Stewart with indigenous dancer

Establishing an Indigenous support services position is one example of the many initiatives at the college. Other examples include:

  • creating the Otôtemiwewin Student Lounge on the Lloydminster campus - a space for Indigenous world views as well as a space to practice cultural activities such as smudging and monthly sharing circles
  • raising the Treaty 6 and Alberta Métis flags at both campuses
  • incorporating a land acknowledgement at all ceremonies and gatherings
  • raising a teepee on both campuses with assistance from elders
  • sponsoring staff trips to the Onion Lake PowWow
  • soup and bannock sharing on both campuses

Photo: President Alice Wainwright-Stewart with an Indigenous dancer during an Aboriginal Awareness Day on the Lloydminster campus.