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Monthly Newsletter - July 2017

July 1, 2017

By Indigenous Directions

The Indigenous Directions Monthly Newsletter provides you with interesting information and updates from the Indigenous Directions Leadership Group.
In this edition:

Territorial Acknowledgement and an Indigenous Valedictorian at Concordia Convocation, June 2017
Education for Reconciliation: Two intensive trainings at the end of August
National Aboriginal Day (June 21st) and links to other Indigenous-focused events and activities in Tiohtià:ke/Montreal

Please feel free to share, and forward this to others who might be interested.

"We Concordians push boundaries and exceed limits, but that is how we revolutionize and challenge society. That is what leaders and innovators do."

Indigenous Engagement at Concordia Convocation, June 2017

A founding member of the Indigenous Directions Leadership Group (IDLG), Shiann Wahéhshon Whitebean was one of eight Concordia students chosen to be valedictorian. Listening to her speech, it is clear that they made the right choice.
Watch a video of Shiann's Valedictory Address

President Alan Shepard reads Territorial Acknowledgement

For the first time in the Concordia's history, the President of the university acknowledged that the institution is "located on unceded Indigenous lands", and that the Kanien’kehá:ka "are recognized as the custodians of the lands and waters" of Tiohtià:ke/Montreal. French and English versions of the Territorial Acknowledgement are now available on the Indigenous Directions website:
Read the Territorial Acknowledgement

Three days of Education for Reconciliation:
Building Respectful Relationships with Indigenous Peoples

In partnership with the Department of Religions and Cultures, the IDLG is organizing two intensive trainings with special guest facilitators Allanah Young Leon, and Denise Nadeau. The first day and a half will focus on how to integrate Indigenous Knowledges and methodologies throughout the university. The second training will focus on Indigenous pedagogy and ways of learning. These workshops will take place on the Loyola campus, Wednesday, August 30, Thursday August 31, and Friday, September 1. They are being offered free of charge to all Concordia faculty (full and part-time) and to graduate students from all departments. Space is limited, so register soon to reserve your spot:
Email the IDLG Project Coordinator to register

Indigenous Directions at Concordia University

Elizabeth Fast (left) and Charmaine Lyn (right), are working as Special Advisors to the Provost. As part of their three year mandate to facilitate Concordia's responses to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, they have initiated the Indigenous Directions Leadership Group (IDLG). Composed of Indigenous students and faculty, the IDLG meets regularly to consult with each other, and to advance projects related to the Special Advisor's mandate. Charlie O'Connor (centre-right) recently began work as interim Project Coordinator for the group, filling in for Tiffany Ashoona (centre-left) while she is on maternity leave. Brooke Wahsontiiostha Deer and Cheryl Lahache are the two newest members of the group.
Learn more about the Indigenous Directions Leadership Group

Continue reading below for updates and information about some of our on-going projects:

Indigenous Cultural Space at Concordia
Concordia's new Indigenous Curriculum and Pedagogy Consultant
Building Relationships Between the University's Academic Cabinet and Indigenous Community in Kahnawà:ke

Advocacy and research on Indigenous Cultural Spaces

Unlike many post-secondary institutions, Concordia does not have a distinct cultural and ceremonial space for Indigenous students and faculty. IDLG members are actively engaged, researching what spaces are like at other universities, and advocating for the development of Indigenous cultural and ceremonial space on the Concordia campus.

Concordia's First Indigenous Curriculum and Pedagogy Advisor

The IDLG is currently in the process of hiring a full-time Indigenous Curriculum and Pedagogy Advisor. This is part of a broader hiring strategy, that responds to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls To Action (2015) by increasing Concordia's capacity to implement Indigenous Knowledge and pedagogy throughout the institution.

Building Relationships between the University's Academic Cabinet and Indigenous Community in Kahnawà:ke

The IDLG is also organizing an unprecedented professional development journey for the upper administration at Concordia. On August 31st and September 1st, Provost Graham Carr and the Academic Cabinet will participate in a KAIROS Blanket Exercise in Tiohtià:ke/Montreal, before travelling together to Kahnawà:ke. The main objectives of this two-day training are to raise awareness and knowledge among Concordia's administration about the history of colonization in Kanienkehá:ka territory, and to build relationships with Indigenous people in the nearby community.

Upcoming events in and around Tiohtià:ke/Montreal:

Aboriginal Day in Cabot Square
Wednesday, June 21st, 3:00 - 6:30pm at Cabot Square (Ste. Catherines x. Atwater, metro Atwater)
For more information, visit the Cabot Square Project Facebook Event

APTN Aboriginal Day Live in Montreal
Wednesday, June 21^st, 11:00am – 9:30pm at Place-des-Arts
For more information, visit the Aboriginal Day Live website

KAIROS Blanket Exercise in Milton-Parc
Tuesday, June 27^th, 6:00 – 9:00pm at 3590 Jeanne Mance
For more information, and to register, visit the Solidarite Milton-Parc webpage

Walking With Our Sisters
July 5 – 12, 2017, at Kateri School, Kahnawà:ke
For more information, visit the Walking With Our Sisters Facebook page

27th Annual Echoes of a Proud Nation Pow Wow
Saturday and Sunday, July 8 & 9, at Kahnawà:ke
For more information, visit kahnawakepowwow.com

If you have events that you would like us to share in the July edition of the Indigenous Directions News Bulletin, please send them to the IDLG Project Coordinator. Be sure to include the Title, Date, Time, Location, and a Link for more information. Send event listings to indigenous.directions@concordia.ca

The Indigenous Directions Monthly Newsletter provides you with interesting information and updates from the Indigenous Directions Leadership Group.
In this edition:

Territorial Acknowledgement and an Indigenous Valedictorian at Concordia Convocation, June 2017
Education for Reconciliation: Two intensive trainings at the end of August
National Aboriginal Day (June 21st) and links to other Indigenous-focused events and activities in Tiohtià:ke/Montreal

Please feel free to share, and forward this to others who might be interested.

"We Concordians push boundaries and exceed limits, but that is how we revolutionize and challenge society. That is what leaders and innovators do."

Indigenous Directions at Concordia University

Indigenous Cultural Space at Concordia
Concordia's new Indigenous Curriculum and Pedagogy Consultant
Building Relationships Between the University's Academic Cabinet and Indigenous Community in Kahnawà:ke

notice

Monthly Newsletter - July 2017

"We Concordians push boundaries and exceed limits, but that is how we revolutionize and challenge society. That is what leaders and innovators do."

Indigenous Directions at Concordia University

"We Concordians push boundaries and exceed limits, but that is how we revolutionize and challenge society. That is what leaders and innovators do."

Indigenous Directions at Concordia University

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