Laurier celebrates Indigenous contributions to education during ninth annual Indigenous Education Week

Feb. 24, 2020
For Immediate Release

Waterloo – Wilfrid Laurier University will host its ninth annual Indigenous Education Week, a series of public events that highlight the contributions of Indigenous knowledge to education. Events will take place from March 2 to 6 on Laurier’s Waterloo and Brantford campuses.

“Indigenous Education Week is an ideal opportunity to expand perspectives while celebrating the diversity of Indigeneity at Laurier,” said Melissa Ireland, Laurier’s director: Indigenous Initiatives. “The Office of Indigenous Initiatives, alongside staff at the Indigenous Student Centres and students, have developed unique programming opportunities to inclusively reach the mind, body, heart and spirits of all participants. All are welcome to participate, learn and reflect together.”

The following are highlights of the week’s activities. A complete schedule of events is available online. For additional information, contact Melissa Ireland at mireland@wlu.ca.

Wednesday, March 4

Brantford Campus: Film and Public Lecture with Director Tasha Hubbard

The film nîpawistamâsowin: We Will Stand Up documents the 2016 death of Colten Boushie and the subsequent acquittal of Gerald Stanley. Following the film, director Tasha Hubbard will present a public lecture about the film and the history of colonialism in the Canadian Prairies.

• 6 to 9 p.m., Research and Academic Centre West, Room 202.
• Contact Bonnie Whitlow or more information.

Waterloo Campus: Public Lecture with Alicia Elliott

Alicia Elliott, an award-winning Haudenosaunee writer, will present a lecture titled "It's Called ‘Genocide:’ On the Power of Words and the Responsibility of the Media Regarding Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirit People."

• 7 to 9 p.m., Robert Langen Art Gallery, Laurier Library.
• Register through EventBrite.
• Contact Corri Daniels for more information.

Thursday, March 5

Online: Webinar with Laurier Alumna Jennifer Mt. Pleasant

“Missing and Murdered Indigenous People in Canada” is a webinar led by Laurier alumna Jennifer Mt. Pleasant (MA ‘17) that explores Indigenous people and societies in the pre-colonial, early-colonial and post-colonial contact eras.

• Noon to 1 p.m.
• Register for the webinar.
• Contact Danielle Braun for more information.

Robert Langen Art Gallery, Waterloo Campus:
Shelley Niro, Artist Lecture and Reception

Something Cold and Hard like Winter features images, triptychs and a short film by Shelley Niro, a multi-media artist from Six Nations of the Grand River Territory, Bay of Quinte Mohawk, Turtle Clan.

• Free public artist lecture: 7 to 8 p.m. at Keffer Memorial Chapel, Martin Luther University College.
• Art gallery reception to follow lecture: 8 to 9 p.m. at Robert Langen Art Gallery, Laurier Library.
• Exhibition dates: Feb. 23 to April 3.
• Contact Suzanne Luke for more information.

Friday, March 6

Brantford Campus: Public Lecture with Colleen Davis

Colleen Davis, an entrepreneur from Six Nations of the Grand River Territory, Mohawk Nation, Bear Clan, will present a lecture titled “Land Reclamation, Six Nations, Support of Wet’suwe’ten: A Woman’s Duty: Protecting the Land for Future Generations.” The lecture is presented in collaboration with Laurier’s Centre for Student Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in recognition of International Women’s Day.

• 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., Research and Academic Centre West lobby.
• Contact Bonnie Whitlow or more information.

Learn more about Indigenous initiatives at Laurier.