U of L marks 50 years of Indigenous Studies

By Lethbridge Herald on March 3, 2026.

Herald photo by ALEXANDRA NOAD Leroy Little Bear and Tony Delaney sing the UniversityÕs Honour Song at the opening of Indigenous Awareness Week for the University of Lethbridge on Monday.

By Alexandra Noad

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter- Lethbridge Herald

The University of Lethbridge has kicked off its Indigenous Awareness Week with a blessing over the coals by Francis First Charger, elder in residence for Iikaisskini Indigenous services.

This year marks 50 years of Indigenous studies at Lethbridge University, which was the first Department of Indigenous Studies in Canada.

Leroy Little Bear (Iikaisskini-Low Horn), vice provost for Indigenous relations at the University says these milestones should be celebrated.

“Indigenous Studies came to be, over 50 years now with the University, so it has grown along with and influenced and brought about that learning atmosphere, so it’s very important to realize and celebrate these milestones.

Little Bear analogizes a university experience without Indigenous ways of knowing to looking through a single window saying, no matter which way you lean the window will only allow you to see only a portion of what’s out there, but by adding in Indigenous culture and voices to a university experience you expand the window and thus expand your view of the world.

“You’ll see things you were not able to see looking only looking through one window, so that’s the beauty of it and that partnership that overlaps in terms of different ways of knowing is cause for celebration.”

The University has many activities happening this week for students to broaden their view including a powwow on Wednesday, interactive booths and many other activities.

A full list of programing can be found at ulethbridge.ca/indigenous/indigenous-awareness-week.

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