That's a wrap: Aboriginal Achievement Week 2015
- Andréa Ledding | February 17, 2015
Aboriginal Achievement Week kicked off at the University of Saskatchewan with a Pipe Ceremony at the Native Law Centre, led by Donnie Speidel on Monday morning, and ended Friday night with a Round Dance hosted by ITEP in the Education Building. In between, there were brunches, lunches, crafting, beading, song, dance, language, and a focus on Aboriginal success and leadership in many faculties and disciplines.
Darwin Derocher from Flying Dust First Nation examined sustainable community development and a two-decade overview of different land management regimes in his First Nation. Films were screened, including a Harry Daniels and Roger Cardinal Full Circle episode on “Métis High Cooking,” while the literary arts were celebrated with an event called “Bring On The Heat.”
The literary stylings of Tenille Campbell, Zoey “Pricelys” Roy, Dakota Hebert, Jennifer Dawn Bishop and Texis Walkem were hosted by playwright and Indigenous Arts Fellow Kenneth T. Williams, and adjudicated by Rosanna Deerchild and renowned poet Louise Halfe. An Aboriginal Arts Festival also took place at Louis’, further celebrating the many talents of Indigenous students and artists, including music, art, poetry, dance, and fashion.
Dr. Robert-Falcon Ouellette of Red Pheasant First Nation, who recently ran in the Winnipeg mayoral race, facilitated a conversation on university and Aboriginal worldviews, before lecturing on the importance of Community Leadership. Métis Elder Norman Fleury spoke about identity and the Michif language, giving a basic language lesson, while the Aboriginal Library Intern, Jessica Generoux, shared on her experiences. The Aboriginal Achievement Week Student Awards Ceremony, followed by a gala dinner, was a highlight where many campus leaders were recognized for excelling in studies, research, leadership, or other community contributions.
And on Friday, Dr. Alika Lafontaine and Vanessa Schellenberg spoke about Indigenous Leadership in Medicine and Nursing. Schellenberg hails from Beardy’s Okemasis First Nation, a Registered Nurse graduating from the U of S Nursing Education Program in 2011. A wife and mother to three children, she is currently a Transformational Life Strategist in her business Red Dress Transformations where she is inspired to show women how to live authentic, fearless and confident lives. Schellenerg is working on a program to help empower Aboriginal women in Saskatchewan through coaching. She shared messages about the importance of being positive, and how she changed her life and took a risk starting her own business.
Lafontaine is the youngest recipient of the Indspire Award, among other accolades, awards, and honours, including the title "Canada's Next Great Prime Minister" after winning CBC's coast to coast competition with the platform of creating a third seat of parliament for Aboriginal Peoples, and the final debate televised nationally before four former Canadian Prime Ministers. Along with his medical and anesthesia practice in northern Alberta, he serves as Vice-President of the Indigenous Physicians Association of Canada, is a member of the Representative Forum of the Alberta Medical Association and remains an active advocate for Aboriginal Health.
He spoke about his journey through Medicine, including words of encouragement to youth from Kawacatoose about pursuing post secondary education. He also addressed racism in healthcare and the need for culturally safe care.
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