Toronto, Ontario – November 2, 2010 – Humber College is celebrating Aboriginal Education Month with two traditional activities to kick off, and close out, a series of events held in November. The customary celebrations began today with the “birthing” of Humber’s two newly acquired, hand-made birch bark canoes and will culminate with the third annual Humber Powwow.
Today’s event included performances by aboriginal dancers, drummers and singers, along with Aboriginal artwork displays.
A gallery of artwork, commissioned by the college over the past year, will also be unveiled during the month. A traditional dream catcher will be added in the North campus student lounge to complement the Aboriginal Learning displays at both Lakeshore and North Campus Libraries.
The canoe birthing is a time-honoured ceremony to celebrate water, creation and safe travel. Humber’s canoes were created by Master canoe maker Dan Sarasin, (Chief White Eagle, Algonquin, Golden Lake, Ontario), who was committed to preserving traditional Native skills. The canoes reflect those used during the fur trade and by Canada’s First People and early settlers.
The Powwow, held annually, provides Humber’s aboriginal students and community with an opportunity to celebrate and share their culture in an authentic way. It will take place on Tuesday, November 30 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Featured performers and artisans included:
• Iron Horse singers and dancers
• Leland Bell, artist, Manitoulin Island
• Robert Henry, artist, Saugeen First Nation
• Jay Redbird, artist, Wikwemikong First Nation
• Joseph Sagaj, artist, Neskantaga
• Chippewa Travellers
Quotes:
“Humber is continuously exploring ways to enrich the college’s connection to the Aboriginal community. The addition of new canoes to Humber’s growing collection of native art work and artifacts will help to educate the entire Humber community about native traditions,” says Shelley Charles, Humber’s aboriginal Elder.
“Historically, the Powwow brings communities, people and Nations together through story-telling, music, dancing and singing,” says Shelley Charles. “At this event, several of Humber’s aboriginal students will join other aboriginal artists to bring traditional First Nations culture to Humber.”
“Humber’s Aboriginal student population has grown steadily, particularly in the past year, since our Aboriginal Elder joined us on a full-time basis. Having an Elder on campus optimizes Aboriginal students’ experience by ensuring they get the most out of college life while also learning about or maintaining a connection to their culture and traditions,” says Jason Hunter, Humber’s Dean of Students. “Our most recent incoming student survey indicates a population of more than 400 Aboriginal students. We expect this number to grow as the college enhances outreach into urban and rural Aboriginal communities, and strengthens efforts to build the community on campus.
About Humber College Institute of Technology & Advanced Learning
Established in 1967, Humber is one of Canada’s leading postsecondary institutions. Committed to student success through excellence in teaching and learning, Humber serves more than 22,000 full-time students and 56,000 continuing education registrants. With an internationally recognized reputation for quality learning, Humber offers a wide-range of career-focused opportunities for students to personalize their educational path. Our 150 full-time programs include four-year bachelor’s degrees, two and three-year diplomas, one and two-year certificates, and apprenticeship training. As a founding member of Polytechnics Canada, Humber offers students the opportunity to participate in applied research projects that find solutions for issues confronting small and medium-sized enterprises. Humber is one of 12 Vanguard Learning Colleges as identified by the League for Innovation, and the League’s only Canadian board member. Humber finished first in its class in the highly regarded Community College Survey of Student Engagement in 2009 in each of four categories, including Active and Collaborative Learning, Student Effort, Academic Challenge and Student-Faculty Interaction. More than 85 per cent of Humber graduates are employed within six months of completing their studies. Visit humber.ca.
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For more information, please contact:
Ilena Aldini-Messina/ Andrew Leopold
Humber College Institute of Technology & Advanced Learning
416.675.6622 ext. 5479/4296
ilena.aldinimessina@humber,ca /andrew.leopold@humber.ca
