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Lakehead's indigenous lounge gets major upgrade (5 photos)

Formerly in an overcrowded room in the basement of Lakehead University, the new lounge is bigger, brighter, and better representative of Indigenous culture.

THUNDER BAY - After years of studying and celebrating culture in a cramped room, Lakehead University will now have a space that better represents the approximately 1,400 Indigenous students enrolled.

The Aboriginal Cultural and Support Services offices, and Aboriginal student lounge was unveiled on Wednesday, marking the final step in a nearly four-year process.

The new ACSS office and lounge is located in the core of the university, replacing the old basement location which constantly experienced overcrowding.

“It was always full,” said Denise Baxter, vice-provost of Aboriginal initiatives.

“We had monthly feasts and gatherings, and we had people lined up outside… they couldn’t hear the elder speak,” she said.

Shailyn Loyie, a fourth-year student, and president of the Lakehead Native Student Association, said the completion of the space was a long-time coming.

“(The old location) was hard just to have enough tables to do work with classmates,”

“I’m happy to enjoy this space for a year, and I’m excited for many students to come and be able to enjoy this space.”

The name for the space, as chosen by a former student, is Gakina Nindinawemaaganag, an Anishinabek term meaning "all our relations."

Lakehead president Moira McPherson, whose been with the university for 32 years, said she remembers the state of Indigenous support services when they began in 1987.

“When I came to the university we had one Indigenous staff member serving to coordinate services for a very small group of students,” McPherson said. Fast forward to 2019 where we have close to 1,400 Indegenous students. We have a mighty team of talented staff that are providing services, support, and sharing in cultural ceremonies.”

“It’s really important for us to ensure that the entire university community is well aware of where we are situated, the important history of this particular land, and our place in space in living here,”

ACSS worked with visual arts professor Dr. Roland Martin to provide artwork and set the atmosphere of the room.

“He brought several pieces over and had a feel for what the goal was for the students,” Baxter said.

“It’s brighter, it’s a lot more open. It’s opening the door for a lot of Indigenous and non-Indigenous students here at Lakehead.”

McPherson said the room is another project designed to enhance the core of the university.

“We’ve been working on this project for a number of years. We’ve had the opportunity over the last three-four years to reimagine the core of the university and to really make it student-focused.”



Michael Charlebois

About the Author: Michael Charlebois

Michael Charlebois was born and raised in Thunder Bay, where he attended St. Patrick High School and graduated in 2015. He attends Carleton University in Ottawa where he studies journalism.
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