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Article by : Rachelle Munchinsky

GATHERING PLACE
1 YEAR ANNIVERSARY
CELEBRATION

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n March 2013 the CNC Atrium was

renamed the Gathering Place, to support

the Indigenization of the College’s space

and community. Indigenization is a term

used to bring Aboriginal culture into
focus in and amongst North American culture.
This process is a mandate of the College of New
Caledonia in supporting Aboriginal cultures in
Northern British Columbia.

So, this March 2014, the Aboriginal
Resource Centre organized a three day festival
of workshops to celebrate the 1 year anniversary
of the Gathering Place. This event was twofold.
Aside from being designed as a means to
promote indigenous culture, it also provided a
study break for students before their exams and
final papers were due. The overarching idea
was for students to come to the Gathering Place
and engage with Elders in learning Aboriginal
traditions.

Joan Brett, the manager of the Aboriginal
Resource Centre, commented, “This event has
given the opportunity for CNC students and
community to further understand the diversity of
Aboriginal people. The booths have given CNC
students the opportunity to sit and talk to the
Elders and relieve some stress from school work.
| have been pleased with the media coverage of
the event and the turnout of CNC students and
community to experience the event.”

Overall, the experience was defined
by the passing of knowledge in a respectful
and fun manner. The workshops ranged from
beading, weaving, carving, painting, learning
about Aboriginal traditional medicine, and
eating bannock! Each workshop had a place for °
students to sit and learn from the Elders and
make a craft of their own. All went as planned _
and students learned traditional aboriginal skills
and culture, and took a break from their end of
term workload in the process.