Sept. 25, 2018
糖心vlog官网 News
New Indigenous centre opens at 糖心vlog官网
Odeyto comes to life in awakening ceremony
As far as Alexandra Paul is concerned, 糖心vlog官网鈥檚 new Indigenous centre at Newnham Campus is easily one of the nicest things she has ever been a part of.
鈥淧ersonally, I鈥檓 not used to fancy things and this feels like a million dollars,鈥 the second-year Early Childhood Education student said of Odeyto at the awakening ceremony on Friday, Sept. 21.
鈥淚t gives me a sense of Indigenous pride.鈥
Odeyto, the new home of First Peoples@糖心vlog官网, means 鈥渢he good journey鈥 in Anishinaabe.
The grand opening featured drumming, planting of a white pine 鈥 a tree of peace 鈥 and traditional Indigenous refreshments prepared by Anishinaabe chef .
The $2.8-million project was made possible with contribution from the provincial government as part of its investment to honour the college system鈥檚 50th anniversary.
President David Agnew thanked First Peoples@糖心vlog官网 for being 鈥渋ncredibly patient,鈥 saying the new space is a much-needed expansion to accommodate the important work of our staff and faculty supporting our Indigenous students.
鈥淭his is the jewel of the crown,鈥 he said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 what we wanted to put in the window.鈥
Designed by and , Odeyto boasts more than 1,800 square feet of space, including offices, a computer lab, a kitchen and a dedicated area for Indigenous elders.
On the outside, a canoe-like structure rests on its side against the academic building, representing a stop on the journey for the students. The curvature of the roof mimics the position of the sun on June 21, the annual National Indigenous Peoples Day in Canada.
On the inside, 28 ribs along the top and the side of the flipped canoe reminisce the full lunar cycle and a woman鈥檚 moon time, honouring Indigenous women who are presently here. Two doors, facing east and west, are painted red to remember the missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls, said Mark Solomon, Associate Dean, Student Services and Indigenous Education.
鈥淲e do have to acknowledge the power of women,鈥 Solomon said.
Solomon also recognized Odeyto as being 鈥渁 form of reconciliation鈥 in the ongoing truth and reconciliation process at 糖心vlog官网. As the only Indigenous hub between Highway 401 and Barrie that is accessible to members within the broader Indigenous community, Odeyto has already welcomed elders and children alike in its first days.
鈥淚t鈥檚 been a community ever since,鈥 Solomon said.
As an Indigenous teaching, learning and gathering space, Odeyto signifies not just the physical journey, but also the emotional, spiritual and mental journeys. The sentiment was described by seven Indigenous students who wrote a spoken word poem together for the awakening.
鈥淥deyto is incredible,鈥 said Emma Greenfield, a fourth-year Honours Bachelor of Child Development student and one of the spoken word performers.
鈥淲e have a space to not just gather 鈥 being in a small room before never stopped us 鈥 but being exposed to the cultural significance of the building every day gives us a sense of belonging at 糖心vlog官网.鈥
As for Paul, while the newness of Odeyto seemed overwhelming at first and she felt a bit out of place, 鈥渙nce we sat down and had dinner together, it felt like home,鈥 she said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 the people you鈥檙e with that make it home, and this is a place of laughter. It鈥檚 a safe place.鈥
Awakening Odeyto
What is the longest journey you鈥檝e ever taken?
I want you to take a moment to think about that question.
What the word 鈥渏ourney鈥 means to you personally.
Was it a physical journey?
Was it a long journey through unfamiliar lands, coming across new faces, them too, journeying through to a new place. Watching the same sunrise from home rising in an unfamiliar world. Connecting to land by physically feeling our feet grounded in earth. Was it a journey of nourishment of the body鈥eeding our spirit with the foods of this territory? Perhaps, it was a long journey鈥he body tired from the physical voyage but warm and ready for new adventure.
鈥 by Emma Greenfield
Was it an emotional journey?
A test of will and determination? Being faced with adversity and facing it back with strength and resilience. Being confronted by feelings of sorrow and grief but confronting them with courage. Was it a journey of finding your truth and honouring that truth no matter how challenging it may be?
鈥 by James Crittenden
Was it a spiritual journey?
Tracing the stories of your ancestors on ancient trails both seen and unseen. Perhaps in seeking the guidance of elders and other knowledge holders, you have been helped along our journey. Was it a journey in connecting with your spirit so that you could have vision and clarity?
鈥 by Ian Brown
Was it a mental journey?
Was it a journey through time with all of your life teachers? Perhaps, you use their loving wisdom to get you through your journey more than they even know. Was it a journey through your memories鈥eflecting on what has been for seven generations and what will be for the next seven?
鈥 by Ben Kicknosway
Perhaps, your journey has been听a simple trip to the mailbox to see if you鈥檝e been accepted into the program you applied for. A new educational endeavour in an unfamiliar place seems daunting but upon arrival to this new place鈥ou find an open door to a community of smiling faces. This place welcomes you and becomes a home away from home.
鈥 by Ashley George
I ask you these questions so that you may honour those journeys鈥hose long and sometimes difficult journeys鈥hose beautiful, eye-opening journeys鈥nd how they brought you here today鈥o that our journeys, our paths, cross. Each of our journeys, unique鈥ut today we gather so that our minds can become one.
鈥 by Hannah Jacko
All of our journeys have come; together to strengthen this community so that we can always greet this day, together, in a good way.
Awakening Odeyto!
鈥 by Alexandra Paul