Celebrating Indigenous Institutes, Learners, Culture and Elders

The end of summer has come and gone, and our Indigenous Institutes have been busy celebrating their graduates, scholarship recipients and the life and legacy of Garden River First Nation Elder Shirley Roach.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau paid a visit to Shingwauk Kinoomaage Gamig in July, touring the campus and participating in a prayer with the elders and a guided tour of the facilities.

In late August the Ogwehoweh Storytelling Festival took place at the Six Nations Polytechnic campus at Six Nations of the Grand River. This one-of-a-kind literary festival focused solely on Haudenosaunee storytelling. The festival featured spoken word poetry and music, panels for children’s authors, memoir writers and filmmakers.

Finally, Indigenous Institutes were featured in an article by Maclean’s. The unique position of Indigneous Institutes in Ontario is the focal point of the story. The feature supports the ongoing recognition agenda of our IIC’s Institutes.

1. Residential school survivor, Garden River First Nation Elder Shirley Roach has died

She was known as an advocate for reconciliation on the national stage, and shared her story with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau during his visit to the area in early July. She has also played a critical role as spiritual advisor for the Shingwauk Kinoomaage Gaming Board, and counselled Anishnaabe students at Algoma U.” Learn more.

2. Unique literary festival focuses solely on Haudenosaunee storytelling, publishing

“Native writers need to write in the way that they need to write…[That includes] language that maybe is not accessible to non-native readers, but acceptable and familiar with native readers, and we need to do that, unapologetically. Learn more.

3. How Indigenous institutes are reclaiming education

“We incorporate our culture in all our programming. Our founding vision was delivering education in the community while staying rooted in Indigenous culture, knowledge and ways of being.” Learn more.

4. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau visits Shingwauk Kinoomaage Gamig!

“This was an opportunity for us to showcase the beautiful building that is now the home to our new Indigenous Institute offering two separate degrees in Anishinaabemowin and Anishinaabe Studies with some exciting new opportunities on the horizon.” Learn more.

5. Youth Welding Students Complete Program at Iohahi:io

Learn more.

6. Oshki Wenjack Congratulates New National Chief RoseAnne Archibald

RoseAnne Archibald is the first female Assembly of First Nations National Chief. Learn more.

7. Meet Iohahi:io’s Rose Nolan Memorial Scholarship Recipients

Learn more.