SAIT’s Chinook Lodge Aboriginal Resource Centre combines First Nations traditions with academic learning.
SAIT's Chinook Lodge Aboriginal Resource Centre Writing-on-Stone sign which represents transformation.
The centre was established in 2001 to meet the learning and workplace transitional needs of First Nations, Métis and Inuit students within a cultural setting.
Walter MacDonald White Bear, centre co-ordinator, said “aboriginal” is a blanket term used by the government to describe First Nations people.
“First Nations people of about 600 bands live across Canada from coast to coast,” White Bear said. “These are diverse people with different languages such as Cree and Blackfoot. Calgary, for example is a Blackfoot territory.”
White Bear, a James Bay Cree from Northern Ontario, said colonialists’ attempts to assimilate natives into European lifestyle was the origin of the aboriginal issues.
“We are not a conquered people. My teaching from spiritual perspective is that we have always been here from the origin of time.”
White Bear said the centre’s objective is the restoration of the aboriginal people’s heritage taken away through the residential school system.
“Our spirituality was challenged and our culture was traumatised,” White Bear said, “Our hair was cut. Our languages were submerged. Our prayers and contact with the Creator were called inappropriate.”
The impact of assimilation subsequently manifests in alcoholism, identity crisis, welfare and other social problems among the First Nation people.
Charlie Coffey, executive vice president of government and community affairs for the RBC Financial Group, said in his 2002 Chinook Centre anniversary speech he was delighted to see the incorporation of elements of aboriginal culture, with circular and flowing design based on a medicine wheel concept.
Coffey also said the Elders’ area which enables interactions between students and staff alike in a cultural and supportive manner is a marvellous idea.
Kelli Morning Bull, a second-year Radio, Television and Broadcast News diploma student and a member of Piikani Nation, said the centre is a bridge between reserve life and mainstream society life.
She said aboriginal students from the reserves live dependent lives. They are shy and lack the confidence to talk to people and need “crutches” to survive in mainstream society.
“The centre advocated for me when I failed a course in my first-year,” said Morning Bull, past president of Chinook Lodge Aboriginal Students’ Alliance (CLASA).
She said the centre allows “smudges” which provides spiritual balance. A smudge is a spiritual practice of burning “sweet grass” to relate with the creator.
“Coming here and recognizing the smell of smudge makes me feel comfortable,” said Christal Jerry, an aboriginal from Siksika Nation and an Oil and Gas Land administration student.
Viola Tanner McClure, Chinook Lodge first anniversary event coordinator, said the Chinook Centre sign of Writing-on-Stone represents transformation.
She said the centre is a place where aboriginal students can make the transformation into the workplace as an accredited individual.
