LAKELAND - Portage College will be hosting a variety of events this week in honour of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
The second annual Sunrise Ceremony is scheduled for the St. Paul campus on Sept. 30. And as an additional element to reflect Portage’s work towards truth and reconciliation, a new website section has been created for all to access.
The Indigenous Ways of Knowing website and the Sunrise Ceremony will provide an opportunity for students, staff, faculty and the public to learn more with resources and Indigenous teachings.
Featured on the website will be Indigenous events, partner projects, teachings, resources and more. All content will be Indigenous focused and will be a valuable resource.
“This new website section is a living environment that will continue to be updated with new educational material and resources to support our efforts toward reconciliation and truth,” said Robert Rayko, Cultural and Community Facilitator at Portage College. “Portage and partners have been working together for over fifty years to incorporate Indigenous content in their teachings and events for students. It’s time we make that more public and accessible.”
Sept. 30 is a day to remember the survivors and those who never returned home after attending residential school. People are encouraged to come together with survivors and families who carry the burden of the painful shared history, said Rayko.
“The Sunrise Ceremony is a traditional event in Indigenous cultures. We gather to offer prayer and seek the healing warmth of the light,” he added.
At sunrise, there will be a Sunrise Dance. Guests will be able to listen to elders and other honoured speakers talk about truth and reconciliation, listen to drummers and more. There will also be a pancake breakfast and presentation.
The ceremony is set to begin at 6:30 a.m. in St. Paul, followed by breakfast at 9 a.m.
“I am so honoured that our College will host an important ceremony on Sept. 30 to remember those harmed by residential schools and many other tragedies. While we share the truth of trauma and racism that our neighbours and friends have suffered, it is good to come together to demonstrate our commitment to wâhkôtowin. I am so thankful of all the partners that will share with us during the ceremony and teachings on National Truth and Reconciliation Day,” said Nancy Broadbent, President and CEO of Portage College.
Let's play hockey
The college will be using the sport of hockey to draw attention to reconciliation with a couple of Alberta Colleges' Athletics Conference (ACAC) exhibition games scheduled to take place in Frog Lake First Nations on Sept. 30 and Oct. 1.
"On the surface, that may not sound like a big deal. But the pair of weekend contests between the Portage College Voyageurs and the Briercrest College Clippers are in fact a very big deal and are about so much more than hockey," according to information from the college.
"As part of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation weekend, players will meet with Frog Lake youth to encourage them to dream big and show them the doors that hockey and education can open," according to Portage College.
There will be a tailgate party with a free barbecue, community meals and of course some high quality hockey.
Chief Greg Desjarlais of Frog Lake First Nations said he and his community are honoured to host the upcoming ACAC game between the Voyageurs and the Clippers.
“We look forward to inviting each and every one of you to come and witness our great Canadian game play here in Frog Lake. We want to be good hosts and we look forward to showcasing this event to our youth, membership and visitors," said the Chief.
“We hope this event will get the youth of Frog Lake First Nations to dream big and we hope to leave a positive impact from our interactions throughout the event," said Rick Flumian, Manager of Community Relations art Portage College.
Briercrest Head Coach Sam Klassen is hoping the student-athletes will inspire others on this important weekend.
“It is an honour to be a part of these two exhibition games to be played on National Truth and Reconciliation Day in the great community of Frog Lake First Nations,” he said. “We hope that our student-athletes can show and inspire the Frog Lake youth that you can use sport to have an impact on others as well as pursue education through athletics.”
