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
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
WATCH Video shows dramatic police takedown of carjacking suspects chased through parking lot north of Toronto
Police have released video footage of a dramatic takedown of a group of teens wanted in connection with an attempted carjacking in Markham earlier this month.
After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
DEVELOPING G7 warns of new sanctions against Iran as world reacts to apparent Israeli drone attack
Group of Seven foreign ministers warned of new sanctions against Iran on Friday for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict.
WHO likely to issue wider alert on contaminated cough syrup
The World Health Organization is likely to issue a wider warning about contaminated Johnson and Johnson-made children's cough syrup found in Nigeria last week, it said in an email.
Advocacy groups speak out against domestic violence comments by Nova Scotia minister
Several Nova Scotia groups that assist women are speaking out against comments on domestic violence by Justice Minister Brad Johns, and at least one is calling for his dismissal.
A couple lost their wedding rings during the ceremony. Two strangers found a fitting solution
Every good wedding has to have one teensy, tiny crisis.
'It was all my savings': Ontario woman loses $15K to fake Walmart job scam
A woman who recently moved to Canada from India was searching for a job when she got caught in an online job scam and lost $15,000.
Families to receive Canada Child Benefit payment on Friday
More money will land in the pockets of some Canadian families on Friday for the latest Canada Child Benefit installment.