Aboriginal culture celebrated at college

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To the amazement of visiting local Grade 3 students, a five-metre high tipi was erected in the main courtyard of the Vermilion campus of Lakeland College.

This activity kicked off the inaugural two-day celebration of Aboriginal Awareness Days on March 20, which followed on the heels of a larger five-day program staged a week earlier at the Lloydminster campus.

In addition to the tipi raising, the traditional food, song, dance and storytelling of First Nations and Metis people were on display.

While the performance of smaller, informal ceremonies had occurred in the past at Lakeland, this year's event reflected the value the college places on its First Nations students. Awareness Days also came towards the end of the first year of service by Lakeland's full-time Aboriginal liaison, Claudette Harper, who serves at the Lloydminster campus. Part of her role is to assist in providing a nurturing atmosphere for Native students, especially those new to a larger urban community.

"A lot of our people come from a very different environment, living on reserve, and (are shy) coming to town," said Harper. "If they see an Aboriginal at student services, they can feel comfortable because I can speak the language."

Awareness days was initiated by the Aboriginal Student Association with a $4,000 grant from Saskatchewan Lotteries and another $1,000 donated by the college.