3 Drums, 3 Campuses project launches at Algonquin College
Posted on Tuesday, March 20th, 2018
OTTAWA — Algonquin College is pleased to announce the unveiling of its 3 Drums, 3 Campuses project as part of efforts to make Indigenous traditions an integral dimension of College culture.
Members of the public, including the media, were invited to visit the Mamidosewin Centre in the Student Commons at the Ottawa campus on Monday, March 19 to witness the building of a large ceremonial drum using traditional materials and craftsmanship.
Working under the guidance of Indigenous Elders, students and faculty members used traditional materials and craftsmanship to make the drum.
“For many Indigenous people, the drum is the heartbeat of Mother Earth; that’s what one of our Elder’s shared with me,” says Andre O’Bonsawin, Manager of Indigenous Initiatives for the College. “What we’re trying to do with this project is embed Indigenous knowledge and cultural teachings in the College.
The project, which involves three drums being made for each of the College’s campuses in Perth, Pembroke and Ottawa, is intended to reinforce the institution’s commitment to Truth and Reconciliation between Canada’s Indigenous people with the wider Canadian society.
O’Bonsawin hopes the drums will eventually be used during important Algonquin College ceremonies, including, for example, the annual Convocation events.
For more information:
Ruth Dunley,
Communications Manager
Algonquin College
Office: 613-727-4723 ext. 6452
or
Chris Lackner
Communications Officer
Algonquin College
Office: 613-727-4723 ext. 2091
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