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Lethbridge College Blackfoot Grandmother Betty Ann Little Wolf (left) and Métis Grandmother Louise Saloff (right) (Rob Olson Photography, via Lethbridge College)

Lethbridge College’s Indigenous Services hosting virtual ‘fireside chats’ for students

Jan 28, 2021 | 10:22 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Lethbridge College’s Indigenous Services department has a new way to support students.

Twice a week, students can meet online via Zoom with the college’s Elders and Grandparents for fireside chats as part of the Cultural Support program.

Sessions take place on Mondays and Thursdays.

Monday’s noon-hour sessions begin with a prayer and a virtual smudging, while Thursday night’s evening sessions offer traditional cultural teachings and an opportunity for students to speak with Elders and Grandparents.

This latest initiative is one of the ways Lethbridge College has adapted to COVID-19.

“Our Elders have been very receptive and have been ready and willing to adapt to the change,” said Lowell Yellowhorn, Indigenous Student Support coordinator.

“Our culture has had to adapt, because a lot of our cultural traditions involve ceremonial obligations that are in-person and face-to-face. With these sessions, the spirit and intent are there, that’s what it comes down to. Our Elders say it’s about the prayer and helping people, a genuine approach to wanting to help.”

A schedule of the fireside chats is available here.

The college is also hosting three virtual RBC Indigenous Mentorship Nights.

The roundtable sessions are set for February 10, March 16 and April 14. They will give students the opportunity to meet with Lethbridge College Indigenous alumni to discuss the challenges encountered on their individual journeys to a post-secondary education and what supports are in place to help students be successful.

“Lethbridge College is committed to cultivating a supportive campus community that provides holistic services for our Indigenous students,” said Shanda Webber, Indigenous Services Manager.

“As leaders in higher education, our goal is to foster the growth and development of our students by creating an enriched campus environment, and in today’s virtual environment, that supports our students’ intellectual, emotional, social, physical, creative and spiritual potentials.”

Finding a way to continue offering supports to students amid the pandemic was a priority for the school’s Indigenous Services.

“For a lot of our students, the college was their social life, their escape was going to the Niitsitapi Gathering Place and being on-campus,” said Lowell Yellowhorn.

“Now some of them have no other option or distraction to help them cope with the social isolation of the pandemic. So, we want to provide our students with an opportunity to connect with their peers and provide the sense of belonging that they are yearning for.”

More on Lethbridge College’s Indigenous Services is available here.

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