LC tradition meets technology for Indigenous Services

By Greg Bobinec on February 5, 2021.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDgbobinec@lethbridgeherald.com

Lethbridge College’s Indigenous Services has found new ways to provide support for their students by combining technology with traditional teachings.

Twice a week, the college’s students are able to meet online with the college’s Elders and Grandparents over Zoom for fireside chats as part of the Cultural Support program.

Each Monday, the session begins with a prayer and a virtual smudging, while another session on Thursday evenings offers traditional cultural teachings and an opportunity for students to talk with the Elders and Grandparents.

Traditional cultural connections are an important mental health initiative of Lethbridge College, and the college’s Elders were quite eager to continue the sessions, even in an online environment.

“Our Elders have been very receptive and have been ready and willing to adapt to the change,” says Lowell Yellowhorn, Indigenous Student Support coordinator. “Our culture had to adapt, because a lot of our cultural traditions involve ceremonial obligations that are in-person and face-to-face. With these sessions, the spirit and intent are there, that’s what it comes down to. Our Elders say it’s about the prayer and helping people, a genuine approach to wanting to help.”

Fireside chats are one part of Indigenous Services’ approach to meeting students in the online world. The popular RBC Success Series, which introduces a variety of Lethbridge College resources, moved entirely online for the fall semester with nearly 40 students taking part in the six sessions. The sessions continue weekly in the second semester and introduce students to a range of services ranging from student events, awards, financial aids, and academic and career supports.

Finding ways to provide all of its services online was a main priority of Indigenous Services, whose team members recognized the need for connection and mental health support being greater than ever.

“For a lot of our students, the college was their social life, their escape was going to the Niitsitapi Gathering Place and being on campus,” says Yellowhorn. “Now some of them have no other option or distraction to help them cope with the social isolation of the pandemic. We want to provide students with an opportunity to connect with their peers and provide a sense of belonging that they are yearning for.”

The college is also hosting three virtual RBC Indigenous Mentorship Nights. These roundtable sessions on Feb. 10, March 16 and April 14 will give students the opportunity to meet with Lethbridge College Indigenous alumni to engage in dialogue about the challenges and opportunities encountered on their individual journeys of attaining a post-secondary education and what supports are in place to help the students be successful.

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