Embracing tradition and reconciliation around the fire

Posted on Tuesday, September 26th, 2023

Summer is a time when many people enjoy the great outdoors. For a group of 13 incoming and current Algonquin College students, six days in late August was more than just campfires and starry nights. It was a foundational and transformative time to learn more about truth and reconciliation.

Hosted by the Pembroke Campus, the first Indigenous Cultural Camp took place from Aug. 22-27. Led by an Indigenous cultural teacher and two staff, this deeply profound experiential learning opportunity was initiated by the Applied Research office through the Government of Canada Social Sciences and Human Research Council (SSHRC) grant as part of the college’s Mamiwi Maadaadizi project.

“The Cultural Camp was a very significant and profound time for all with much learning, healing and looking forward,” said Joanne Haskin, Executive Director of Mashkiwizii Manido Foundation, a partner on this project. “The potential for continued immersed learning as we continue the journey of truth and reconciliation must be foundational and the College must continue in these ways to allow for all Indigenous students to know there is a place for them, and for partnership in the journey.”

Haskin and her team also included Elders, Knowledge Keepers and special guests, who worked with participants as they listened, reflected, engaged and thought about ways to act.

Ontario Parks provided access and usage of Foy Provincial Park which allowed for meaningful connection to the land. “This was an impactful experience that touched me spiritually and emotionally. It challenged me to move away from thinking about allyship towards acting in allyship, always with ‘nothing about us without us’ in mind. The College and broader community can expect a more concerted effort from me to move us forward in understanding the truth and pursuing acts of reconciliation. It was my honor to participate, ” said Kate Monahan, a professor at the Pembroke campus.

Activities included a visit to Pikwakanagan First Nation, a Kairos Blanket Exercise and discussions and learnings with special Elders and guests. There was also time for painting, self-reflection and journaling and experience on the land.

Areas of learning were centered around Residential Schools & Sixties Scoop, The Seven Grandfather Teachings, the clan system, self-governance, forestry management and of course, TRC Calls to Action.

Student feedback was incredibly positive. “I cannot express the depth of my gratitude for this experience, for learning about Indigenous culture and for being so changed by being on the land,” said one learner. “This was life changing for me,” said another.

Established in the spring of 2020, the Mamiwi Maadaadizi project was created to advance Indigenization efforts at Pembroke Campus through collaboration with The Circle of Turtle Lodge, Pikwakanagan First Nation and other Indigenous community members. The mandate included identifying best practices for embedding Indigenous Knowledge across Pembroke’s services and academic programming and working towards Reconciliation for all students and community members. Another goal was to examine how to better support Indigenous learner needs and develop learning interventions through a field school and Indigenous-led training.

“In 20 plus years of working in higher education, it has been a while since I have seen such a cohesive, thoughtful, kind group of people gather,” said Brenda Slomka, Algonquin College Program manager, Applied Research. “This was deeply meaningful to witness and be part of. The impact from our SSHRC grant, allowing us to focus on Indigenization within our rural campus has been so important and we are thankful. We are deeply hopeful that this will be the first of many more Cultural Camps to come.”

To read the full report about the Indigenous Culture Camp click this link.

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