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As an important step showing its commitment to being a leader in reconciliation, Lethbridge College signed the Buffalo Treaty today at a ceremony that kicked off the college’s annual Stone Pipe Days celebration.

Stone Pipe Days, the annual celebration to recognize the pride, history and knowledge of the Indigenous community at Lethbridge College, will take place on campus March 15 and 16, and the community is invited to join in the festivities.

Lethbridge College will soon be offering an Indigenous Policing (Niitsitapi Inakiikawaiks) microcredential program. The suite of microcredentials – short-term, flexible learning programs designed for re-skilling or upskilling – will provide culturally appropriate education to Indigenous police services as they work to address the needs of their communities. Courses will be delivered online for asynchronous self-paced learning and will be available to current officers, cadets and – where appropriate – Lethbridge College School of Justice students.

Lethbridge College, for the first time in its history, will be hosting Métis Celebration Day to recognize the culture, history and contributions of Métis people. Each year on Nov. 16, Métis people across Canada pay tribute to the Right Honourable Louis Riel, a political leader who spent his life defending Métis rights. The celebration of culture and identity coincides with the anniversary of Riel’s execution by the Government of Canada in 1885. For the past several years, the Métis Nation of Alberta has also recognized Métis Week – the days surrounding Louis Riel Day.

Lethbridge College will unveil a public exhibit documenting the experiences of Sixties Scoop survivors as part of Truth and Reconciliation Week Sept. 26 to 30. The exhibit, along with several other initiatives taking place on campus, will encourage individuals to educate themselves on the history of Canada’s residential school system and its harmful legacy, while memorializing the children who were lost. It’s also a time to honour residential school survivors, their families and their communities.

Lethbridge College is proud to unveil a new Indigenous logo for its home court– the first institution in the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) to incorporate Indigenous culture in its gymnasium floor design. The new design of the gym includes the familiar fierce Kodiak bear at the centre, but it is now surrounded by a number of meaningful Indigenous images, designs and words. The design will also be worked into future uniforms for student-athletes.

Recognizing that language is a key piece of Indigenous culture, Lethbridge College has announced the launch of the Aiitsi’poyoip Blackfoot Speaking Award. Each year, the $1,000 award will be given to five Indigenous students of Blackfoot descent who have participated in the preservation of Blackfoot language and culture. Recipients will be able to demonstrate a proficient ability to speak Blackfoot and/or show a commitment to learn the language.

In the spirit of learning and togetherness, Lethbridge College will celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day Tuesday with a full slate of events on campus. Taking place each year on June 21 – the summer solstice – National Indigenous Peoples Day recognizes the unique heritage, diverse cultures and outstanding contributions of Canada’s Indigenous peoples.

Building on the excitement of Spring 2022 Convocation, Lethbridge College (Ohkotoki’aahkkoiyiiniimaan – Stone Pipe) is hosting Stone Pipe Celebration – a full contest powwow – on Saturday, May 28 and Sunday, May 29. The two-day celebration will feature a variety of events, including intertribal contest singing and drumming, round dance singing, competition dancing and tiny tot dancing.

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.