“Some Aboriginal students haven’t had the opportunity to connect or reconnect with their culture since they’ve started university.” Cara Wehkamp.

Since 2003, the Aboriginal Resource Centre (ARC) has been helping Aboriginal students adapt to post-secondary education while staying connected to their culture in a variety of ways.

A recent example is START, a program that helps Aboriginal students transition from life at home to student life. The program allows students to stay in residence before the semester begins in order to learn more about the campus and financial management. It also informs students about the activities that occur during Orientation Week, which helps new students successfully adapt to the university environment.

The ARC also hosts speakers who discuss the educational experience of Aboriginal youth, and organizes activities like cultural crafts which help students learn about Aboriginal culture.It’s important to note that the ARC and many of its services are not solely reserved for students with an Aboriginal status.

“95 per cent of our services are offered for all students, staff and members of the community,” said Cara Wehkamp, the manager of the Aboriginal Resource Centre.

The inclusivity the ARC promotes is further reflected in their involvement with the local community, like the Climate Change and Changing Climate with Aboriginal Communities conference, and the Learning on the Land excursions.

The Climate Change conference, which took place Monday night, was presented by the ARC, the ECM Campus Ubuntu, and hosted speakers Ashlee Cunsolo Willo and the Friends of Webequie to discuss their experiences in building relationships and working with First Nations and Inuit communities.

“The conference highlights the allying of local groups with Aboriginal communities,” said Wehkamp.

Besides the conference, the ARC encourages students to make connections with their local Aboriginal groups. The Centre offers students the chance to meet Elders from the community through the Visiting Elders Program. Tony Chegahno, one of the Elders involved in the ARC, has also been significantly involved in the Learning on the Land excursions, which take place throughout the school year.

According to Wehkamp, Learning on the Land provides students with the opportunity to leave campus and get into a different frame of mind. During the excursion, Chegahno accompanies a group of students to the Neyaashiinigmiing Indian Reserve on Georgian Bay where students engage in Aboriginal cultural practices and actively explore the reserve with Chegahno’s support.

“Some Aboriginal students haven’t had the opportunity to connect or reconnect with their culture since they’ve started university,” said Wehkamp. The ARC’s numerous, wide-ranging resources certainly help in creating and keeping cultural and local bonds.

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