The hallways of Lethbridge College were filled with bright colours, music and laughter for the unveiling of a new display on campus.
A design, representative of the melding of indigenous culture and the college now resides in the school’s center core, as part of an unveiling on Thursday for Indigenous Celebration Day.
According to Marcia Black Water, coordinator of Indigenous Services atLethbridge College, the school is situated on traditional Blackfoot territory and the new display is an effort to continue to embrace indigenous culture and encourage First Nations, Metis and Inuit (FNMI) students.
“Our hope is to have people come into our college and be able to learn about what it means to stand on Blackfoot lands.”
The celebration featured traditional dancing, music and food from different indigenous cultures as well as informational booths.
This is the second year the school has held an Indigenous Celebration Day.
At the event last year, the school was presented with a traditional Blackfoot name from Kainai grandparent, Peter Weasel Moccasin.
Weasel Moccasin said the name “Ohkotoki’aahkkoiyiiniimaan” translates to stone pipe and the offering of a stone pipe is a peace bond made with honesty and integrity.
The elder grandparent believed the school deserved its name because of the strides it has taken to create awareness and acceptance of indigenous people and cultures.
This includes the permanent raising of the Blackfoot confederacy flag last year.
A contributor to the school’s efforts, Lethbridge College president and CEO Dr. Paula Burns was honoured at a special ceremony as part of the Indigenous Celebration Day.
At the ceremony she also received a traditional Blackfoot name.
Burns was presented with the name “Piita’gaaksiimaaki” by Weasel Moccasin who said the name translates to “Eagle Whistle Woman” and was appropriate because of Burns’ efforts to help both the global and local community.
Burns was surprised with the honour and said she understands the responsibility that comes with the title.
“I was very surprised. It’s all very humbling and quite an honour. This is our role as an educational institution. We have to educate people about what it means to be on Blackfoot territory.”
The college intends to continue hosting an Indigenous Celebration Day annually, as well as implementing a new strategy in the spring that focusses on indigenous education for both indigenous and non-indigenous students.