Northern College hosts first Aboriginal awareness week

Northern College held its first Aboriginal cultural awareness week across all of its campuses from Sept. 23 to 27.
The week was an opportunity for staff and students to share in Aboriginal culture, traditions, teachings, and activities. It is anticipated that this week will become an annual event.
“Aboriginal peoples and their perspectives are a cornerstone of the Northern College philosophy and guide much of Northern College’s activities,” said Fred Gibbons, President of Northern College. “We are honoured to host Aboriginal cultural awareness week and provide a forum where the entire college community can be engaged in the culture and traditions of Aboriginal peoples.”
Activities on Timmins Campus included traditional teachings from Elder David Faries, displays from local Aboriginal community organizations, arts and crafts activities, bannock making in the college’s shaputuan and a breakfast consisting of traditional foods. A powwow-style social Friday evening closed out the week. Traditional teachings, arts and crafts activities, and prayer and song activities were held at Northern’s Kirkland Lake and Haileybury Campuses.
Teachings, arts and crafts activities and traditional meals will took place at the Moosonee Campus.
The cultural awareness week was inspired by a student who made a suggestion to the Northern College Aboriginal council on education. The student suggested that the week be established as part of the school’s broader student orientation program. Northern College’s Aboriginal Council on Education supported this recommendation.