Near the end of the Blackfoot naming ceremony on campus on Oct. 19, Dr. Paula Burns presents Lethbridge College Blackfoot Grandparent Peter Weasel Moccasin with a Pendleton blanket that reflects the college colours. To his right, Shanda Webber, manager of Recruitment and Indigenous Services, prepares to give Weasel Moccasin the buffalo print created by college graphic designer Brent Bates. The gifts were small tokens of thanks for the name Weasel Moccasin gave the college, Ohkotoki’aahkkoiyiiniimaan, which means Stone Pipe (see the Editor’s message for more details).
“We are so incredibly grateful to receive this name from our local Blackfoot community,” says Dr. Burns. “We will respect our name with a promise to continue on the straight path to improving the lives of our students and the communities that they call home.” Webber adds: “The naming ceremony recognizes and celebrates the meaningful relationship between the college, which is situated on traditional Blackfoot territory, and the local Blackfoot community. It also solidifies our commitment and responsibility in making Indigenous education a priority.”
