Name change and dedication just part of university activity

The University of Alberta's Aboriginal Student Services got an overwhelming response from the community to help celebrate the name change of Native Student Services to Aboriginal Student Services Centre (ASSC), and the grand opening of the Cathy Sewell Memorial Reference Room.
"We were hoping for about 200 people to attend. Instead we ended up with 500 people between the two events," said Irene Spelliscy, acting co-ordinator for the Transition Year Program at the university.

There were a couple of reasons for the name change, said Spelliscy. One being the similarity with a large academic unit on campus called the School of Native Studies that ASSC works closely with. The second reason is a small one, said Spelliscy. "It deals with the political correctness in terms of how the word Native is maybe used.

"We wanted to make sure there was a distinction between the academic services that Native studies offer and the social support services that we offer," she said.

The School of Native Studies offers five undergraduate degree programs. They also provide direct student support and an educational experience for both Native and non-Native students to learn and explore Native peoples, their culture and communities.

Community members young and old attended the open house gathering on Jan. 31 to celebrate and honor the memory of Cathy Sewell, former student and employee of the university. After the ribbon cutting of the memorial room, people were treated to performances by Bobbi-Jo Beaver, Thundering Spirit drumming group, Tanya Lukin Linklater, Nunavut throat singers, Metis cultural dancers and Anna-Marie Sewell, who paid tribute to her sister through a song called "Weyaho."

"For us to know that that many people wanted to see what we do and honor Cathy's memory and to celebrate the convocation of past graduates, was all pretty overwhelming," said Spelliscy. "It was such a positive event, well received and everyone just seemed to have a wonderful time. That side of it is really why we wanted to have it so we could connect with the community and let people know that our doors are open. We've been quiet for a while, and there have been a lot of changes here, so we just want people to know that we're here to support students."

The Cathy Sewell Memorial Reference Room will have approximately 500 books, tapes and videos pertaining to Aboriginal culture and history. There's also a main computer station that will be available to students for research purposes.

For those who didn't know Cathy, there is a framed picture of her along with a blade of sweetgrass, "so as people come and go in this office they'll always know who she was."

Spelliscy said the unexpected high turnout could've been due to the eagle feathers that were presented to past graduates of the U of A.

Local Elder Jerry Wood and Jeannette Sinclair, an ASSC student advisor and PhD student in the Indigenous peoples education program, presented 47 eagle feathers to graduates.

The students "for whatever reason" had their names missed during convocation ceremonies. As well, seven feathers, along with blankets, were presented to master level students, said Irene Spelliscy.

According to the ASSC, the eagle feather represents the honor and traditions of strong and dignified people and is the highest show of respect one can receive.

The ASSC encourages students to access the services and resources offered at their office in the Students' Union Building. Students have full access to academic advising, student support, reference materials, photocopying, faxing, and printing services, retention services and strategies and access to a meditation/smudge room.

Every Wednesday from 8:30 a.m. until noon, Jerry Wood will sit with students and staff as a spiritual consultant of guidance.

"This is something new that just started here at the university and we are happy to have him here," said Spelliscy. "It's a small smudge room but that will be his room to use when he comes."
The biggest project that ASSC just recently finished was an Aboriginal student handbook, which has information about the ASSC, athletic and recreational facilities, student support services, undergraduate and graduate programs, residency and finance support.

"There used to be a handbook handed out in a calendar format, however this new one is more like a one- stop shopping thing," said Spelliscy.

For more information about the ASSC, programs and services call (780) 492-5677 or visit www.uofaweb.ualberta.ca/aboriginalservices.