蓝莓视频

Even before the commitment was made on paper and then solidified in ceremony, talk of Indigenous reconciliation had been taking place in the University of 蓝莓视频鈥檚 . However, it took the hire of an Indigenous Knowledge Keeper to give shape to a process that is sometimes not well understood and often difficult to begin.

That Indigenous Knowledge Keeper is Elder Myeengun Henry, formerly听Chief of the Chippewas of the Thames First Nation听and Indigenous leader at Conestoga College. His voice is soothing but forceful, and he looks like a man who has found his calling. Part grandfather, part sage, part friendly neighbour, he is a healer who came to 蓝莓视频 at just the right time.听

Elder Henry is at a stage in his life where he wants to share his knowledge, experiences, language and culture. He wants to听offset the damage of more than one hundred years when Indigenous culture, identity and languages were stifled, prohibited and criminalized. He tirelessly spreads the word through learning circles, ceremonies and even attending every single one of the 20 convocation ceremonies this spring. He does it patiently and cheerfully, but also pointedly when necessary.听听

鈥淲e had to have a starting point,鈥� said Elder Henry at the Faculty of Health鈥檚 inaugural Commitment Ceremony this week. In this case, the starting point was the inclusion of a signature commitment to create 鈥渁n environment that invites and respects Indigenous ways of knowing鈥� in the Faculty鈥檚 latest strategic plan, made formal by the ceremony.

鈥淭he vision was there, so today we make that full commitment by planting a cedar tree as a point of celebration,鈥� he said. He and Dean Lili Liu also exchanged gifts: a sacred eagle feather for the Faculty, and a one-of-a-kind beaded medallion for Elder Henry. They also unveiled a Wampum Belt that will hang in the Health Expansion building.

鈥淚 am overwhelmed by the support and love I鈥檝e felt since I came to help build this up,鈥� Henry says. 鈥淚 know there is honour and respect of Indigenous people in this Faculty. We鈥檒l find our struggles now and then and have differences of opinion, but I think overall, our commitment is here and is strong.听

The feeling is mutual. Dean Lili Liu is grateful for the leadership and counsel Elder Henry is providing. 鈥淣ot only has Elder Henry shared deep knowledge and wonderful ideas for how to help make our spaces and actions more inviting and welcoming, but he has quickly become a part of our听Faculty听family.鈥�

While the Faculty鈥檚 reconciliation efforts have started with events such as a Red Dress Day commemoration and the Commitment Ceremony, they are also creating spaces that can be used by Indigenous students and others, installing Indigenous artwork to make students feel comfortable and accepted,听and including Indigenous knowledge into the curriculum to make a difference in how we practice and deliver health programs and services.

鈥淕ive students a place to congregate, celebrate, smudge and be proud to be an Indigenous student in the Faculty of Health,鈥� Elder Henry says. 鈥淚 see a vision coming true, a formal commitment to making this come true. It will be longer than the life of a strategic plan.鈥�

Of course, there is good reason Elder Henry is motivated to teach about Indigenous history and culture: 鈥淲e did ceremonies on this land. We walked this land and we fed our families on this land. It鈥檚 important for Indigenous people to know that we are still here.鈥�

You can hear more from Elder Henry on the where he shares his goals and motivation as he approaches his work at 蓝莓视频.