Students give new life to special day at Algoma U

NEWS RELEASE

ALGOMA UNIVERSITY

************************** Algoma University Founders' Day resurrected University holiday revived by students

SAULT STE. MARIE, ON (October 11, 2011) - For the first time in almost 15 years, Founders' Day at Algoma University means more than just a day off school.

Originally established to celebrate the origins of the university, and to commemorate the two groups responsible for its inception, Founders' Day has been a fixture on the Algoma University calendar since 1980. The "Founders" include the group that brought Algoma University College to the city in 1964, as well as the Anishinaabe group that, through the wisdom of Chief Shingwaukonse, established the land on which the university sits as a place of cross-cultural learning.

The coming together of these two groups after closure of the Shingwauk Indian Residential School in 1970 brought the University College from its quarters at Sault College to the current site, in 1971.

Founders' Day marks the renewal of that commitment. The history of Founders' Day dates back to 1980, when, after the school remained open despite the recommendation of a Royal Commission to close it, Algoma celebrated that success by making Founders' Day a school holiday.

The celebration was timed to coincide with Thanksgiving and the Anishinaabe Feast of the Dead celebration, and has been historically celebrated the day after Thanksgiving.

In the late 1980s, a policy was created by the university recognizing the day, but official celebrations were irregular. A group of students in the Community Economic and Social Development program at Algoma University looked to change all of that last year.

"We felt as though the university had lost a part of its history," said Joanna Nahwegahbow, organizer of this year's Founders' Day celebration.

"It seemed a shame that Founders' Day was treated as just an extra-long weekend, with no understanding of why it was significant," she said.

A survey showed that most students had no understanding of the significance of Founders' Day, and couldn't define what was being celebrated.

The Founders' Day Committee was born. Comprised mainly of students, the committee discussed ways to make Founders' Day more relevant to current students, and looked at ways to engage them in the celebrations.

This year's celebration, titled "Algoma-Shingwauk Founders' Day: A Living History," looks to educate students about the mutual commitments made by the institution's founders to each other, and renew those commitments.

Timelines explaining the history of the land, the University, and the Shingwauk Residential School will combine with a memory wall on which students and community members can share their thoughts on the significance of the day.

Organizers conducted Historical Site Tours from 1 to 3 p.m., after the opening ceremony in the SASA Arbour at 12:30 p.m.

There was a welcoming address at 3 p.m. and a Sharing Circle at 3:30, culminating with a traditional Feast and Closing Ceremony at 5:30 p.m. The students hope that this is just the beginning of a sustained commitment to recognizing Founders' Day at the university.

"It's my hope that long after I have graduated, Founders' Day will still be recognized by students on campus at Algoma University, in ways much bigger than I could dream about today," said Nahwegahbow. "This year is just a seed; I can't wait to see it grow." About Algoma University Algoma University is committed to offering an undergraduate education experience unlike any university in Ontario, offering a wide variety of program options.

Algoma University also offers accelerated diploma-to-degree programs in business administration in Brampton, and two degrees, including a Bachelor of Social Work, in Timmins.

As a partner with Shingwauk Kinoomaage Gamig, Algoma U is committed to respecting Anishinaabe knowledge and culture.

To learn more about Algoma University, visit here. **************************