As recent events and important dates related to Indigenous Ways of Knowing and Being wrap up, Helena Neveu, Knowledge Keeper in Residence at SLC has taken a moment to share her thoughts and some additional resources to ensure the SLC community continues to participate and learn.
Aanii, Boozhoo,
Gitchi Miigwech....that’s a big thank you from all of us driving Indigenous Ways of Knowing and Being, here at St. Lawrence College, Kingston, Brockville, and Cornwall campuses.
Inclusivity is to value relationships by sharing and being authentic. Making positive change can be done by showing people that they belong. Make them feel it.
We commit to incorporate Indigenous knowledge, worldviews, and values into our activities to provide learners with opportunities to reflect on their purpose, their gifts, belief systems, and growth. Committing to the success of our learners drives programs and operational supports.
If you haven’t got stamina and a smile you will never make it. Break the ceiling. Know this is our spirit. Never with intellect alone, but with great spirit. Life, itself, is the spirit and should never be allowed to suffer malnutrition. Water is life. Use your water and express concern about the well-being of others.
Dr. Robyne Hanley Dafoe says that "Resiliency goes a long way every day." Please know that action can be done, every day. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts to everyone who helped and participated in the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, MMIWG vigils and our drive with the legacy for the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund. #DoSomething.
St. Lawrence College would like to thank the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Fund for awarding our school $10,000.00, Indigenous Services and allies who supported and continue to support Indigenous Ways of Knowing and Being and all of you for making this possible.
Please know that action can be taken every day. How? Strong supporting teams, social support from friends and family, workplace mentors. Get outside and breathe and walk, connect with nature and animals, sing, dance, laugh, play, make sure you are getting enough exercise and sleep, food. Be genuine, enjoy your actions. Avoid making assumptions. Listen without judgement.
Tell the people that helped you, they helped you!!!!
Having conversations and performing random acts of kindness can lift a spirit. Can I challenge each and every one of you to do a random act of kindness for someone today?
Acknowledging shows a sign of respect and recognizes the importance of Indigenous culture, ceremony, and traditions. We all hold responsibility to take meaningful action to gain better understanding of the atrocities endured by Indigenous people who at one time experienced deep levels of historic oppression in an unfair education system geared to remove the Indian in the child.
Could I suggest a few resources... I dream we all continuously learn and follow up with:
- Community Services
- Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada
- Ontario Aboriginal HIV AIDS Strategy
- Indigenous Community Mental Health Programs
- Managing Mental Health in the Workplace
- Ontario Coalition of Indigenous Peoples
- KILN Kingston Indigenous Languages Nest
- Waasaabiidaasamose Indigenous Centre
- Four Directions Indigenous Student Centre
- Indigenous Family Literacy Circle
- Métis Nation of Ontario
- Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington Children, Youth & Family Indigenous Services Guide
- Tipi Moza (Iron Homes)
- Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte
- Kagita Mikam
- Indigenous Victims Services
- Intercultural awareness workshops
Miigwech, Miigwech,
Helena Neveu
Knowledge Keeper in Residence
Tri Campus St. Lawrence College