Indigenous university officially opens in Sault Ste. Marie
The National Day of Truth and Reconciliation served as the backdrop for the grand opening of Sault Ste. Marie’s Indigenous university and teaching lodge.
Staff, elders and other local dignitaries gathered Friday morning for the official ribbon cutting ceremony at Shingwauk Kinoomaage Gamig (SKG).
Ribbon cutting ceremomy at new Indigenous university in Sault Ste. Marie. Sept. 30/22 (Mike McDonald/CTV Northern Ontario)
It’s one of nine Indigenous post-secondary institutions in the province and offers degree programs in Anishinaabe culture and language.
"Hosting the grand opening on a day that is meaningful about what happened when our children went to educational systems, educational schools that weren’t our own, versus today, when we can finally open our doors and say 'we’re here and present' to educate our learners in a way that’s relevant," said Lauren Doxtater, the director of academics at SKG.
Batchewana First Nation Chief Dean Sayers, who serves on the school’s board of directors, said the grand opening of the post-secondary school was a long time coming.
"It’s the culmination of darn near a couple hundred years of effort," Sayers said.
"Finally, we have our teaching lodge. Where we can teach our people our world view through our lens through an accrediting process that’s going to be really sensitive, really reflective or who we are as a people."
On truth and reconciliation, Chief Sayers said there is still more work to be done, while acknowledging some progress has been made.
"I appreciate the national statutory holiday," he said.
"I would hope all the provinces adopt that and that all of them really encourage and promote the actual reconciliation that we need."
Across the street at Algoma University, a plaque commemorating Shingwauk Hall -- a former residential school -- is being replaced with something that is more historically accurate.
The old plaque was erected in 1977 and did not elaborate on the purpose of residential schools, nor did it detail the experiences of the students.
Two plaques will now stand in its place, with inscriptions in Anishinaabemowin, Swampy Cree, English and French. The plaques were unveiled in what turned out to be an emotional ceremony, with residential school survivors in attendance.
Residential school survivors in Sault Ste. Marie were emotional as two new plaques, reflecting a more accurate history, were unveiled at the site of a former school site. Sept. 30/22 (Mike McDonald/CTV Northern Ontario)
"In terms of reconciliation, things have to be put back that was taken away," said Jackie Fletcher, of the Children of Shingwauk Alumni Association.
"And I see this as being a start."
The plaques come as the result of a partnership between the Children of Shingwauk, Algoma University, and the Ontario Heritage Trust.
YOU ARE NOT ALONE
The ongoing intergenerational trauma caused by the residential school system can cause distress for some Indigenous people. If you or someone you know is struggling, help and support is available. Find more information here.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Several flight attendants from Pakistan have gone missing after landing in Canada
Multiple flight attendants from Pakistan International Airlines have abandoned their jobs and are believed to have sought asylum in Canada in the past year and a half, a spokesperson for the government-owned airline says.
BREAKING Ottawa public school board, 3 Toronto-area school boards launch lawsuit against social media giants
The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board and three school boards in the Toronto-area have launched legal action against social media giants, accusing them of "disrupting students' fundamental right to education."
Rainfall warnings of up to 90 mm among weather alerts in effect for 7 provinces
Rainfall warnings of up to 90 millimetres, air quality advisories and other alerts have been issued for seven Canadian provinces, according to the latest forecasts.
Tipping is off the table at this Toronto restaurant
A Toronto restaurant introduced a surprising new rule that reduced the cost of a meal and raised the salaries of staff.
A Nigerian woman reviewed some tomato puree online. Now she faces jail
A Nigerian woman who wrote an online review of a can of tomato puree is facing imprisonment after its manufacturer accused her of making a “malicious allegation” that damaged its business.
Donald Trump assails judge and his daughter after gag order in N.Y. hush-money criminal case
Donald Trump lashed out Wednesday at the New York judge who put him under a gag order that bars him from commenting publicly about witnesses, prosecutors, court staff and jurors in his upcoming hush-money criminal trial.
A fight to protect the dignity of Michelangelo's David raises questions about freedom of expression
Michelangelo's David has been a towering figure in Italian culture since its completion in 1504. But in the current era of the quick buck, curators worry the marble statue's religious and political significance is being diminished.
Doctors visiting a Gaza hospital are stunned by the war's toll on Palestinian children
An international team of doctors visiting a hospital in central Gaza was prepared for the worst. But the gruesome impact Israel’s war against Hamas is having on Palestinian children still left them stunned.
China's latest EV is a 'connected' car from smart phone and electronics maker Xiaomi
Xiaomi, a well-known maker of smart consumer electronics in China, is joining the country's booming but crowded market for electric cars.