UPEI Founders Day honours the Aboriginal Peoples of Prince Edward Island
The Aboriginal peoples of Prince Edward Island were honoured today for their collective contributions to the University of Prince Edward Island at the seventeenth annual Recognition of Founders Ceremony. The ceremony is an occasion to honour the many contributions, commitments, and sacrifices that have brought higher education in PEI to where it is today. A goal is to introduce students to UPEI's history and instill in them the belief that they are now a part of it.
“This is a special day for the University,” said Dr. Alaa Abd-El-Aziz, President and Vice-Chancellor of UPEI. “Today we move from honouring individuals for their contributions, to recognizing a community—a great community. Today, we recognize our Indigenous people and the role they played in building UPEI.”
UPEI’s history features many intersections with members of First Nations communities, and in particular the Mi’kmaq. Beginning with Chief John J. Sark who earned a post-secondary education at SDU and was PEI’s first Mi’kmaw teacher, to the more recent creation of the Mawi’omi Centre, the University has relied on its connections with Aboriginal peoples to advance its educational mission in the province, region, country, and around the world.
Today’s event began with a blessing, smudging ceremony, and song by Mi’kmaw Elder Judy Clark, president of the Aboriginal Women’s Association of Prince Edward Island. The Recognition of Founders citation was read by UPEI student Payton Jadis, co-president of the Aboriginal Student Association.
“I have long believed towns, cities, and provinces find their identity in the diversity of their people,” said Brian Francis, Chief of the Abegweit First Nation. “This honour not only recognizes the past, but along with the President’s circle, it looks to the continuing influence of aboriginal people on campus. I am proud of what we have accomplished. I hope we continue to recognize the role of Indigenous people.”
“It’s a cliché to say that youth are our future, but it is so,” said Matilda Ramjattan, Chief of Lennox Island First Nation. “These fine people—our women and men—are seeing the value of higher education. I want to thank UPEI—its president, faculty, staff, and students—for stepping up its game. We affirm your peace and friendship.”
“We were always told ‘an educated Indian is a dangerous Indian,’” said Lisa Cooper, Chief and President of the Native Council of Prince Edward Island. Chief Cooper graduated from UPEI with a Master of Education in Indigenous Studies in 2012. “Sandy [Dr. Sandy McAuley] and Fiona [Dr. Fiona Walton] helped me find my voice. I realized when I got into Indigenous studies that I’m not dangerous—I’m informed. I’m empowered. And now, I’m a leader. You change the life of one person, you change the life of a family.”
Some highlights of the history of Indigenous people and initiatives at the University of Prince Edward Island:
• John J. Sark graduates from SDU, becoming a revered teacher and leader in the Lennox Island First Nation.
• John Joe Sark is the first Island Mi'kmaw graduate of UPEI in 1979 and is awarded an honorary degree in 2005.
• Beginning in 2006, UPEI partners with Nunavut Department of Education, Nunavut Arctic College on a three-year Master of Education in Leadership in Learning program for educators/educational leaders—it was the first graduate degree program offered in Nunavut.
• In 2007 Jukeepa Hainnu receives her Master of Education degree, becoming the first Inuit woman on Baffin Island to get this degree.
• In 2008 UPEI offers a course in the Mi’kmaw language taught by Nellie Wysote, who taught the language to school children on Lennox Island.
• Faculty of Education begins offering a Bachelor of Education with Specialization in Indigenous Education.
• The first Cultural Connections festival is held in March 2008, presented by Native Council of PEI and UPEI First Nations, Inuit and Métis Student Group.
• UPEI and the Aboriginal Student Association establish the Mawi’omi Aboriginal Student Centre in January 2009.
• UPEI dedicates hand-carved bench outside Cass Building to the “Mi’kmaq of Epekwitk who have been here for millennia.”
• The first John J. Sark Memorial Scholarships are awarded in 2010 and the J. Elmer & Elise Hynes Aboriginal Student Achievement Awards are established in 2015.
• In October 2015, UPEI holds its ninth annual Pow Wow.
• The Government of PEI announces that a Truth and Reconciliation Education Day will be held at UPEI on December 5, 2016 for public school children from grade 5 to 12.
Today’s Recognition of Founders Ceremony allowed UPEI to recognize the many members of the Aboriginal community who have contributed to the University in the past while the talking circle offered an opportunity for Indigenous leaders to guide and provide input for the journey forward. To mark the end of the event, Dion Bernard sang the Eagle Song, a Mi’kmaw song often sung as a welcome. Bernard, a UPEI student and co-president of the Aboriginal Student Association, explained that it was fitting to sing this for the closing since today’s ceremony was about welcoming future discussion and collaboration.
