Lakeland College officially opened an Indigenous Student Lounge at the Lloydminster campus on Jan. 18.

This new student space provides a place for Indigenous students to share and learn more about their identity, culture and history and practice spiritual customs.

“Being situated in the heart of Treaty 6 Territory, it’s critical that we acknowledge Indigenous peoples’ values and beliefs. With this new student lounge, our Indigenous students can stay grounded in their culture while pursuing their post-secondary education at Lakeland,” says Alice Wainwright-Stewart, Lakeland College president and CEO.

Along with workstations, a SMART Board and digital display for presentations, the Indigenous Student Lounge will be utilized as a place for lounging, meetings and studying. The lounge has a circular seating area which can seat up to 44 people, as well as a smudging area and asiniy (rock) shelf for spiritual practices.

Smudging is the burning of various medicinal plants to create a ‘cleansing smoke bath’ that is used to purify a ceremonial/ritual space or any other space, body, aura, energy and personal articles.

The asiniy area will be made of asinisisak (smaller rocks) that students will bring from their communities to create a sense of home when they enter the lounge.

“Spirituality is what drives the Indigenous culture. The belief is that all things are connected between oneself, creation, Mother Earth and the Creator. Part of my role at Lakeland is to guide our Indigenous students to meet their educational goals. I believe this Indigenous Student Lounge will assist in that mission,” says Clint Chocan, Indigenous student support specialist.

The lounge also houses the newly developed Elders in Residence program. Elders will visit the campus to connect and cultivate meaningful relationships with college students in an effort to enhance their educational experience.

The opening of the Indigenous Student Lounge is the latest step Lakeland has taken to improve the post-secondary education experience for Indigenous students while also celebrating and educating others of Indigenous cultures. For example, in the fall Lakeland hosted a Truth and Reconciliation Speaker Series and raised Treaty 6 and Métis flags at the Lloydminster and Vermilion campus. Various Indigenous awareness events have been held at Lakeland, including a ceremonial feast, round dance, bannock making contest, blanket exercises, and teepee raisings. Lakeland’s also added a ceremonial prayer and honour song to its convocation ceremonies.

Photo: Alice Wainwright-Stewart, president and CEO of Lakeland College, cuts a piece of leather to officially open the Indigenous Student Lounge at the Lloydminster campus on Jan. 18. She was joined by (L-R) Metis Elder Margaret Harrison; Vermilion-Lloydminster MLA Dr. Richard Starke; Linda Johnson, past Indigenous student committee member and 2017 business administration alumna; Lisa Savill, stewardship coordinator from the Metis Education Foundation/RupertIsland Institute; Metis Elder Marlene Gervais; First Nations Elder June Chocan; Darrel Howell, chair of Lakeland College’s Board of Governors; and Milton Tootoosis, headman/councillor from Poundmaker Cree Nation. The lounge is open to all students.