March 1, 2018
For Immediate Release

Waterloo – Wilfrid Laurier University invites the community to experience its annual weeklong series of events that highlight the contributions of Indigenous knowledge to education. A series of events will take place from March 5-12 on Laurier’s Waterloo and Brantford campuses.

“Indigenous Education Week is an opportunity for the Laurier community to not only learn about contemporary Indigenous issues such as language recovery – it is also an opportunity to experience Indigenous art, music and film,” said Jean Becker, Laurier’s senior advisor: Indigenous Initiatives. “People can meet and develop relationships with a variety of Indigenous people through social events and by participating in workshops together.”

The following are highlights of the week. A complete schedule of events is available online. For additional information, contact Melissa Ireland at mireland@wlu.ca.

All Week: Public Art Exhibit (Waterloo Campus)

The Red Dress Project – Red dresses will be visible on Laurier’s Waterloo campus throughout the week to raise awareness about missing and murdered Indigenous women in Canada. Supported by students in Laurier’s Master of Social Work Indigenous Field of Study program.

Monday, March 5: Public Lecture (Waterloo Campus)

“Driven to Success” with Kendal Netmaker, founder of Neechie Gear, an Indigenous lifestyle apparel brand that empowers youth through sport.

7 p.m., Lazaridis Hall, room 1001, Waterloo.

Register through Eventbrite.

Wednesday, March 7: Meditation with Laurier Elder Norma Jacobs (Brantford Campus)

Meditation will be led by Brantford campus Elder-in-Residence Norma Jacobs. Open to the public.

1 p.m., Indigenous Student Centre, 111 Darling Street, Brantford.

Wednesday, March 7: Film, Birth of a Family with Laurier Elder Banakonda Kish-Bell Kennedy (Waterloo campus)

Learn about Indigenous experiences with Canada’s child welfare system. The film documents the reunification of Indigenous siblings who were removed from their home as infants during Canada’s infamous Sixties Scoop movement. Following the film, a panel of Laurier staff and alumni will discuss their first-hand experiences in Canada’s child welfare system.

• Opening remarks: 6 p.m.
• Film: 6:30 to 8 p.m.
• Panel discussion: 8 to 9 p.m.
• Bricker Academic Building, room 201, Waterloo.

Thursday, March 8: Soup and Fry Bread Lunch (Brantford Campus)

Soup and fry bread will be served at Laurier’s Brantford campus Indigenous Students Centre. Open to members of the Laurier community and the general public. Co-hosted by Laurier Students’ Public Research Interest Group.

Noon to 2 p.m., 111 Darling Street, Brantford.

Friday, March 9: Drum Making (Waterloo Campus)

Watch Indigenous students at Laurier as they make traditional deer hide drums.

1 p.m., Laurier Library Maker Space, first floor, Waterloo.

Learn more about Indigenous initiatives at Laurier.