CNC’s Indigenous Culture Week Emphasizes Reconnecting and Learning

The College of New Caledonia (CNC) Quesnel Campus’ Indigenous Culture Week will reconnect students, staff, and the community with Indigenous learning.

In March, the CNC’s campuses choose a week to host celebratory events to share the knowledge from local First Nations and Elders.

“It’s bringing a sense of pride because Indigenous were made to feel ashamed of who they were,” says Karen Green, the Aboriginal Advisor Liason for CNC. “Back when colonists first came here, Indigenous culture was seen as something foreign. It was all shoved aside, and it severed family, community, and connections.”

“So, the celebration of Indigenous culture is so important it’s starting to connect communities again. Children are learning from their elders. There are cultural traditions that were forgotten and lost and those are slowly coming back.”

CNC has events every day for Indigenous Culture week that are free to attend on their Quesenl Campus.

Monday was the opening ceremony with Keynote Speaker Doreen Patrick, a knowledge and language keeper with the Quesnel Tillicum Society. Patrick’s keynote emphasized the importance of starting to teach Indigenous languages at the home and starting with children. Patrick taught everyone at the opening ceremony how to say their name and greet each other in the Athabascan language.

The weeks events are:

Tuesday, March 25: Beading Workshop with Raine from 8:30 am to 12:30.

Tuesday, March 25: Find Your Métis Ancestors with Lori Donald starting at 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm. 

Wednesday, March 26: Salve Making and Plant Medicine with Sharon Primeau, from 11:30 am to 3:30 pm.

Thursday, March 27: Animal and Bird Teachings with Elder Ellie Peters, starting 10:00 am to 12:00 pm.

Thursday, March 27: Elder’s Tea and Bingo, starting at 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm. 

Friday, March 28: Viewing of Sugarcane Documentary — Free Entry, starting at 6 pm to 8 pm.

Caution: Sugarcane has an R-rating, and follows an investigation into the Canadian Indian Residential School system. It has testimony and interviews with residential school survivors. It is advised not to bring young children. There will be content viewers may find difficult to sit through.

Lhtako Dene Eldar Bryant Paul will be offering smudging to and support to elders who come for the viewing. There will be separate rooms for people to have safe spaces if they are feeling uncomfortable.

Friday, March 28 and Saturday, March 29: Indigenous Artisan Market, starting at 10 am to 3 pm on each day.

Saturday, March 29: Indigenous Story Time for Children, from 11:30 am to 2:45 pm.

This year’s Indigenous Culture Week’s events focus on reconnecting and sharing with the community. Karen Green says she is thrilled with the list of events and Elders coming to share their knowledge. She is already planning ahead for next year’s culture week.