SUDBURY -- The University of Sudbury is celebrating the 45th anniversary of its Indigenous Studies Program.
As part of the three-day event there was a day of gathering to celebrate the contributions of Indigenous knowledge keepers and changemakers.
Tasha Beeds, a professor with the program, welcomed people to the gathering.
"We talk about the impact of impact of colonialism, that it was only an interruption, it never destroyed who we were and who we are and the proof is in the celebration that we have today, " said Beeds.
Dr. Shirley Williams, who teaches language at Trent University in Peterborough, highlighted the importance of restoring indigenous language even though she was told it was "witchcraft" and not to speak it at residential school.
"To restore some of their identity, to restore pride within themselves, to be proud of who they are because there has been a lot of discrimination, racism through education," said Williams.
This is a celebration of the accomplishments of graduates and professors of the Indigenous Studies Program at the University of Sudbury.
"We are here today to celebrate that and to look ahead to the future. In terms of Indigenous thought, Indigenous culture, Indigenous traditions we are supposed to think seven generations ahead. So today is a celebration of where we have come from, in order to look ahead," said Beeds.
She adds, moving forward the program will continue to teach and encourage students to be a strong part of the collective Indigenous revitalization and resurgence movement.
