Event

Aboriginal Student Day Celebration

Date(s):
Audience:
Students
Staff
Community
Campus:
Virtual
Aboriginal Student Day celebration

Aboriginal Student Day Celebration

Okanagan College’s Annual Aboriginal Day celebration on March 11 acknowledges the unique heritage of Canada’s indigenous cultures of First Nations, Inuit and Metis people.

Over the last 15 years, Okanagan College has featured many local Indigenous artists, musicians, dancers and designers on Aboriginal Day. Aboriginal Elders have been invited and honoured every year by opening our ceremonies and offering prayers. Aboriginal students have prepared and served traditional food in a potluck style including bannock and Indian tacos. In fact, potlucks are an integral part of Aboriginal gatherings: the sharing of food, culture and knowledge.

Due to the pandemic, this year's celebration has been taken online. We hope you enjoy hearing , watching and learning from our OC community members and alumni who have made this virtual event possible.

 

 

Land Acknowledgement

Okanagan College respectfully acknowledges that our Penticton, Kelowna and Vernon campuses are located on the unceded territory of the Syilx Okanagan people, and our Salmon Arm campus is located on the unceded territory of the Secwepemc.

Learn about Indigenization at OC

Welcome

Watch a welcome video from emcee Jacquelyn Rose and OC's Director of Student Services James Coble.

Dancing

Watch and learn about three  aboriginal dances - hoop, chicken
and traditional women's dances.

Photos

Take a look back in time through the past 15 years of Aboriginal Student
Day celebrations in our photo gallery.

Remembering

Help us honour Lucy Louis, the Vernon campus' visiting elder for over five years, through remembrance

Welcome to our event

Hear from Jacquelyn Rose

Hear from James Coble

Aboriginal Hoop Dance

About the dancer

Kristyn Schoenknecht is a member of Saddle Lake Cree Nation and has been dancing since she was 15.  In 2010, She performed for Olympic Torch Relay in Vernon.  Her mentor and teacher were Sandra Miller (deceased) and Dallas Arcand.  Kristyn has recently completed Okanagan College's Health Care Assistant program at the Vernon campus and plans to continue her education in Nursing.  Kristyn continues to share her gift of Aboriginal Hoop Dancing.

Prairie Chicken Dance

About the dancer

Seth Spotted Eagle is a member of the Okanagan Nation in Vernon.  He is currently attending W.L. Seaton and will complete his grade 11 class this year.  Last year, Seth taught over 500 Beairsto students from grade 1-7 in three days.  He has been gifted in traditional dance at a very early age.  Emery Robins (deceased) gave him his first bustle for his regalia and mentored Seth for many years.

Women's Traditional Dance

About the dancer

Meagan Louis is a member of Cheslaetta Carrier Nation and her husband is from the Okanagan Nation in Vernon. Meagan has danced for over 20 years and has made her own regalia with dynamic, colorful beadwork. Over the course of eight years – Meagan has beaded her moccasins, leggings and belt and is currently making Jingle dresses and fancy shawls for her four daughters. Meagan has travelled through BC, Alberta, and Washington celebrating annual Powwows, and as far as New Mexico where she danced twice. She attributes her gift of dancing and beadwork to a long-lasting friend and mentor - Crystal Prince.

Photo gallery

Take a look back in time through our photo gallery showcasing the past 15 years of celebrations

Aboriginal Student Day Celebrations Over the Years

Remembering Lucy Louis

Hear from Glenda Louis about her mother

Lucy Louis

Lucy Louis

Lucy Louis was an integral OKIB member and Visiting Elder at Okanagan College's Vernon campus for more than five years. She is a beloved mother, grandma, sister, aunty, family, friend and elder and was passionate about connecting with students - and that she did. Lucy has connected with many OC students and with her greater community and for that, we honour her.  To honour her, Lucy's daughter, Glenda Louis, has taken time to speak about her mother and share Lucy with us once again.

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Aboriginal Services - Kelowna Aboriginal Services - Penticton Aboriginal Services - Vernon Aboriginal Services - Salmon Arm