Celebrating indigenous culture at Humber

Nov 6, 2014 | Life

Julianne Fox

Humber’s growing Aboriginal Resource Centre was proud to host its annual Aboriginal awareness week at both campuses.

The Aboriginal Resource Centre, launched in 2008, focuses on supporting aboriginal students year round and making sure they adjust to their learning environment as well as staying aware and having an appreciation of their culture and community.

The Centre welcomed all students and staff interested in learning about First Nations people during November, Aboriginal education month, to create a sense of community.

The Services Fair and Pow Wow at the north campus Thursday helped open doors to the community.

“It was a much better turnout performance wise,” said spectator Stephanie Toney, who is Aboriginal herself. She said the Pow Wow was much bigger than when she came to Humber a couple years ago. Being a traditional dancer herself, she joined in the dances.

Three dancers wearing regalia.

“Our goal today is to connect the Aboriginal services of the Toronto area to our students,” said Coordinator and Aboriginal Programming Officer at Humber Aliysha Wassegijig.

The fair is a great opportunity for students who are coming from outside of town to see what services are available for them and become familiar with the Toronto area. Students also have a chance to gain placements or potential jobs.

“We are very excited to create some new connections,” said Wassegijig.

One of the services included in the fair in the main concourse at the campus was Aboriginal Legal Services of Toronto.

“I think the more people know that we actually exist the better it is for the Aboriginal community,” says tenants’ rights paralegal Patricia Farr.

Tenants’ rights paralegal Patricia Farr (left) and tenants rights advocate Stephanie Pangowish (right) at the Aboriginal Legal Services of Toronto booth.

Farr used to be a student at Humber about three years ago and she said back then not many people were aware of the Aboriginal unit at Humber.

She said she appreciates the growing awareness the centre is having through fairs and other events year-round.

The Pow Wow included drum and songs and dancers. Many people gathered in the HSF Student Centre to watch the sacred celebration of indigenous culture.

The Toronto-based Eagleheart Drummers/Singers was one of three drum and song groups included in the traditional performances.

Eagleheart Drummers/Singers group.

The following audio clip is a song Eagleheart Drummers/Singers performed today.

 

 

Toney said Humber respects Indigenous culture and the celebration Thursday helped build bridges among the college’s communities.