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The 精童欲女 Faculty of Indigenous Knowledge, Education, Research, and Applied Studies (IKERAS) recently hosted its first-ever Indigenous traditional knowledge sharing and learning day, Mawi-lukutimk, which means 鈥済athering and working together.鈥� The event took place on September 3, two years after the Faculty of IKERAS began delivering 精童欲女鈥檚 mandated IKE 1040: Indigenous Teachings course and offering a Minor in Indigenous Studies. It is considered a historic milestone by everyone involved.

Following the honouring of the seven sacred teachings in Mi鈥檏maw with Doris Googoo, IKERAS Mi鈥檏maq language instructor and the creator and organizer of the event, the honour song was sung by Lenox Evans, a Grade 12 student at Grace Christian School, and Alicia Muttart, IKERAS administrative assistant. Opening remarks were given by 精童欲女 President and Vice-Chancellor Wendy Rodgers and IKERAS Dean Angelina Weenie. Participants included students, faculty, staff, local Indigenous Epekwitk (PEI) leaders, community elders, and knowledge keepers.

The day featured four special guest presenters from Unama'ki (Cape Breton, Nova Scotia). Alwyn Jeddor presented on the Mi鈥檏maw language and Mi鈥檏maw Kina鈥檓atnewey (MK) resources; Terry Denny on land-based traditional teachings; Mary Louise Bernard on traditional ceremonies; and Anne Marie Marchand on sacred teachings of spirit names and spiritual cleansing.

鈥淭he teachings were rich, relational, and moving,鈥� said Googoo. 鈥淭his was an important step in bringing Indigenous knowledge to the forefront in the work that the IKERAS faculty does. The ancestors were telling me the time was right, and with such a successful gathering, next year will be even bigger and better.鈥� 

Dr. Weenie, who joined the Faculty of IKERAS in July of this year, was pleased to see this foundation of the faculty brought to life at this early stage in its development. 

鈥淥ur teachers are in the community, and we need them to be part of all that we do,鈥� she said. 鈥淲e hope to continue offering more events like this. We can learn more from the Indigenous communities we serve.鈥�

鈥淚t is fitting this year, as the University as a whole works together to change its culture, that this Mawi-lukutimk occurred,鈥� added Dr. Weenie. 鈥淭he 精童欲女 Faculty of IKERAS looks forward to introducing more traditional and scholarly Indigenous knowledges that will contribute to 精童欲女 becoming all that it can be as an inclusive, safe, and vibrant place of learning.鈥�