Aboriginal welcome for students at college

The arrival of students for the new school year at Grande Prairie Regional College (GPRC) was celebrated on Sept. 20. The Circle of Aboriginal Students (CAS) organized the day's events that began with a morning pipe ceremony in a new 19-foot tipi adjacent to the school. Nearby, geese on the fog-covered reservoir sang about leaving.

Pipe carrier, Elder Helen Piper of Grimshaw, welcomed 33 people into the tipi that had been erected on campus the previous week by CAS members.

Elder Darlene Cardinal offered guidance on protocol and GPRC Aboriginal liaison co-ordinator Kelly Benning assisted.

As she began the ceremony, Piper spoke to the group of students, administrators, professors and members of the public, saying we each have two eyes so we can see where we are going, but true vision comes from the heart. She spoke of the need for forgiveness, for our own selves, so that we can move on. Piper explained the ceremony's history, including the fact that it was once illegal, so the practice had to go underground.

Later that day, GPRC acting-President Doug Hart told the audience that they are proud to be an inclusive college.

"We embrace diversity and value it, rather than tolerating it, and we want to get better at that. We are in the business of capacity building," he said. The 264 Aboriginal students who are enrolled this year represent a 16 per cent increase. The presence since 2000 of a campus friendship centre that is mandated by the Grande Prairie Friendship Centre is unique.

CAS president Tina Kinnee-Brown said that GPRC accepts and embraces Aboriginal culture.
"It is a huge calling card for Aboriginal students," she said. The campus friendship centre helps to bridge the gap between academics and Aboriginal students. Every resource is there for the students who face a huge course load; they are given academic as well as cultural support. CAS is an annually elected council whose role is to be the voice of Aboriginal students, to show and share their culture and make it a part of campus life.

Benning, whose position at GPRC is full time, said the day was a positive experience for both the college and Aboriginal community.

"We have never seen such a strong Native pride and presence on campus," she said. "There was more Aboriginal culture shared in this one day than ever before."

Dancer and storyteller Travis Dugas referred to the morning's pipe ceremony and said that Piper was like his kokum (grandmother). Raised to deny his Native heritage, Dugas said "The clan mothers keep us strong, show us how to be men."

Of the traditional men's dances that he performs, Dugas said that the 10-to-15 pound regalia weighs much less than the pain and shame he carried before. "The outfit carries me now," he said.

At the evening Fall Solstice Eve celebration, the large group heard from several dignitaries, including City of Grande Prairie Mayor Wayne Ayling.

Kelly Benning said the presence of the mayor spoke volumes to the Aboriginal community because they felt recognized, that Aboriginal students are important to the city.

The program's special guests were Elders who represented the Four Directions: Piper (Cree) from the North; Elder Loretta English (Blackfoot) from the South; Elder Caroline Campbell (Cree) from the West; and Metis Elder Angie Crerar from the East. The Elders encouraged the students to stay close to their values, follow their dreams and access the support that was there for them.

The cooks and servers for the evening's free barbecue are members of GPRC's board of governors and senior administrators. Large and small businesses sponsored the meal.

The audience was delighted by First Nations, Inuit and Metis performers. Travis Dugas was joined by fellow dancer Clinton Soto of Sturgeon Lake. The Bluebird Traditional Dancers, the Grande Prairie Friendship Centre Aboriginal Headstart Drummers, Metis fiddler Wilfred Belcourt with Gerry Campbell and Tom Cardinal, Inuit dancer and singer Tanya Lukin Linklater each performed. Warren Ruben, a GPRC student from the Northwest Territories, sang and danced.

Performers joined the audience for a spirited round dance at the close of the evening.

Carl Edozien, president of GPRC Student Association, said the day was great for Aboriginal students and for the college at large. Edozien, who was born in Nigeria, said he had been touched by the program.

"I learned a lot about a great people. The program will open the minds of people in the community and the college," he said.

"When I attended GPRC in the mid-1970s, there was nothing," said Eva Chatelaine of Native Counselling Services in Grande Prairie. She and the one other First Nations student learned to face their fears and support each other.