Notice Board

On each June 21, our country observes National Indigenous Peoples Day — and while the impetus for and sentiment behind this recognition is common throughout the country, the focus of this day takes on even greater significance in a post-secondary setting.

For five centuries, the relationship between North American Indigenous Peoples and the European newcomers has been imbalanced, unjust, traumatic and destructive. Reconciliation with this past is real and necessary and through the 2015 Truth and Reconciliation Committee (TRC) Report, a path to finding reconciliation was established. It is here, through education, that many of the TRC’s 94 ‘Calls to Action’ can be initiated. As such, our role in furthering true reconciliation and healing is essential and not taken lightly.

Iniskim/University of Lethbridge and its relationship with Indigenous Peoples is long established. Since 1967, ULethbridge has been committed to promoting and nurturing the Indigenous student voice, but it too has evolved over time. Over 40 years of working in partnership with the Blackfoot Confederacy and other Indigenous communities has altered the manner in which education is accessed and governed — where Indigenous students do not fit into a traditional model, rather the model is unique in supporting student needs to better ensure success.

Success manifests itself in many ways. Last fall, we were honoured to open the Iikaisskini (Low Horn) Gathering Centre as an integral space for Indigenous students and the campus community to come together in ceremony, celebration and learning. During this spring's 2023 Indigenous Awareness Days, ULethbridge became the first post-secondary institution to sign on as a supporter of the Buffalo Treaty – a treaty of cooperation, renewal and restoration.

The EleV program, introduced in 2019, is the boldest example of how the University has transformed. Designed to create new opportunities for Indigenous, primarily Blackfoot, youth to access education, it is coupled with the needed supports for students to find success, resulting in employment, economic inclusion and economic development opportunities within their home communities. Its model is to break barriers and ensure a program that is structured to meet the unique needs of Blackfoot youth and communities — with relationships at the heart of the project. Its activities are focused on the Blackfoot values of kindness, respect, honesty and strength.

This past April, more than 120 Blackfoot Confederacy community members, ULethbridge stakeholders and the Mastercard Foundation came together for the inaugural EleV Revision Gathering at Iniskim/ULethbridge to share experiences and opportunities to support Indigenous youth. The theme was “Strengthening Connections and Building Pathways in a Good Way.” The ULethbridge Iksisstowaapi Kanakkaatsi (Going All Out Society), EleV team will review the information gathered from this event to determine how it aligns with their over-arching objectives and then identify short and long-term goals. This will set the foundation for the program's continual engagement and enhance relationship building with our community partners so that they can continue to make educational pathways and economic opportunities a priority for Indigenous youth.  

In addition, through a gracious donation from Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan), a new Niitsitapi Centre of Excellence in Work-Integrated Learning (NCEWIL) will launch this Fall. This will enrich work-integrated experiences for Indigenous youth.

Destination Exploration is hosting the second annual Indigenous Summer Research Academy (InSRA) from July 7 to August 18, 2023. This opportunity is open to Indigenous high school students who have completed Grade 11 and allows students the opportunity to participate in hands-on work with researchers at ULethbridge on multidisciplinary projects.

Iniskim continues to take up the call of the TRC and the commitment is ongoing to create a society grounded in respect for Indigenous ways of living and knowing.

ULethbridge recognized yesterday National Indigenous Peoples Day on campus. Today, we invite everyone to join the southern Alberta community at City Hall at 10 a.m for the city's opening ceremonies and take part in the many activities planned around Lethbridge.

On this National Indigenous Peoples Day, give thought to your role in this journey towards true reconciliation and begin to imagine what can be accomplished when this is achieved.

Mike Mahon, PhD
Iipisowaahsiiyi (Morning Star)
President & Vice-Chancellor

Dr. Iikaisskini (Low Horn) Leroy Little Bear (BASc (BA) ’72, DASc ’04)
Vice-Provost, Iniskim Indigenous Relations