By Lara Fominoff @fomsy1 on Twitter

Lethbridge College receives Blackfoot name at Indigenous Celebration Day

Oct 19, 2017 | 1:59 PM

LETHBRIDGE – To mark its annual Indigenous Celebration Day (Oct. 19), Lethbridge College has been given a prestigious new Blackfoot name by Kainai Elder Peter Weasel Moccasin.
 
‘Ohkotoki’aahkkoiyiiniimaan’ means Stone Pipe. Weasel Moccasin explains that they are used in sacred ceremonies of the Blackfoot people to make an offering to ‘Iihtsipaatapi’op;’ the Source of Life in their culture. He says he wanted to pick something appropriate for the entire community.
 
“We believe that the pipe brings us peace. It brings us harmony. It brings us to be able to work together and be able to function together. That’s what it’s for.”
 
And he was honoured to be asked by the college to give the institution its Blackfoot name.
 
“The staff is really wonderful. They’re open to what we’re sharing with them. And the students, slowly. But they’re coming around to learn about our culture…they’re more open minded and open hearted, and I like that.”
 
“We are incredibly grateful to receive this name from our local Blackfoot community,” says Dr. Paula Burns, President and CEO of Lethbridge College. “We recognize the importance of Indigenous education and the vitally important perspectives that the local Indigenous community brings to the work that we do here every day.”
 
Burns says the stone found for the ceremonial pipes comes from coulee river bottom just behind the college, and the time, patience and skill needed to make stone pipes is significant.
 
“The steps that are part of that process that bring together people, working together to bring peace… it does mean we have a responsibility and accountability to education for the Blackfoot people, the Indigenous people, but also to all people, in terms of understanding the significance of being on Blackfoot territory.”
 
Burns says they will repsect the name, with a promise to continue on the path to improving the lives of all students.
 
This fall, 374 Indigenous students are taking diploma, degree or certificate programs at Lethbridge College.