Stone Pipe Days, an annual celebration to recognize the pride, history and knowledge of Lethbridge College’s Indigenous community, will be taking place on campus Thursday and Friday. The series of cultural sessions aims to raise awareness and promote discussion of the college’s role in Indigenous education.
Lethbridge College was given the name Ohkotoki’aahkkoiyiiniimaan, which means Stone Pipe, by Elder Peter Weasel Moccasin in 2017. As he explained, stone pipes are used in sacred ceremonies of the Blackfoot people to make an offering to Iihtsipaatapi’op, the Source of Life.
“Fostering the success of our Indigenous learners is a priority,” says Dr. Paula Burns, President and CEO of Lethbridge College. “Cultural events, like Stone Pipe Days, play an important role in creating a sense of belonging, while providing opportunities for the entire community to engage and learn.”
A private Pipe Ceremony Thursday morning will mark the start of Stone Pipe Days.
It will be followed by a campus-wide kick off at 11 a.m. Thursday in the Val Matteotti Gymnasium. Lethbridge College’s Indigenous Services and Executive Leadership teams will provide opening statements. Speakers will also honour RBC for its long-standing partnership with the college in supporting Indigenous programming, initiatives and events.
“RBC has been supporting Indigenous education at Lethbridge College since 2007,” says Lowell Yellowhorn, Indigenous Services manager. “Thanks to this ongoing support, our Indigenous learner experience can continue to grow and evolve with the needs of our students.”
In 2021, RBC committed to providing $225,000 over three years through the RBC Foundation Future Launch. This funding has been instrumental in the establishment of the RBC Mentorship Program, additional cultural support programs, and progress on the Indigenization of campus including the Iissksiniip (Coming to Know and Learn) Coulee Walk which was unveiled in September.
“We’re pleased to continue to partner with Lethbridge College on their efforts in developing an Indigenous strategy, and offering Indigenous cultural programming,” says Mark Brown, RBC Regional Vice President, Alberta South. “We value the College’s commitment to creating an opportunity for Indigenous students to celebrate diversity and inclusion through the recognition and respect for their distinct cultures, languages, histories and contemporary perspectives.”
Opening day events continue Thursday with an Indigenous food showcase from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., also in the Val Matteotti Gymnasium, with berry soup and frybread, Indian tacos and buffalo sliders on the menu. Yellowhorn will wrap up the day with a Buffalo Educational Spotlight from 2 to 4 p.m. in The Cave. He’ll share his knowledge on the importance of the buffalo and how the Siiksikaisitapi people used the animal. A wildlife display, courtesy of the School of Environmental Sciences, will also be available to view during that time.
Frybread Friday, hosted by Indigenous Services, kicks off day two of Stone Pipe Days. Frybread will be available from 10 a.m. to noon in Centre Core.
Stone Pipe Days concludes with a Blackfoot cultural presentation featuring guest speaker Dougie Hall of the Blackfeet Tribe. A motivational speaker and cultural presenter, Hall will share his story of hardship, adversity, resiliency and humour from 1 to 2:30 p.m. in the Val Matteotti Gymnasium.
Links to all activities can be found on the Lethbridge College website.