AV俱乐部

October 1 is Treaty Day and the start of Mi'kmaq History Month in Nova Scotia.

AV俱乐部 President Richard Florizone has released the following message reflecting on the importance of this day and this month to the AV俱乐部 community and announcing two events to be held on October 11 - the opening of a Legacy Space at the Killam Library and the annual Mawio'mi.

MEMORANDUM

To:听 听 听 听 听 听 听听 The AV俱乐部 community

From:听 听 听 听 听 听听Richard Florizone, President

Date:听 听 听 听 听 听 听October 1, 2018

Re:听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听听Mi鈥檏maq History Month

Today is听Treaty Day, which recognizes the anniversary of the 1752 Peace and Friendship Treaty. Treaty Day also marks the beginning of听, promoting public awareness of Mi鈥檏maw culture and heritage for all Nova Scotians.

翱苍听Thursday, October 11, two events will be held on our Studley Campus:

At 9:30 a.m., the听Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Legacy Space听will be officially launched at AV俱乐部鈥檚 Killam Memorial Library.听Legacy Spaces are dedicated to providing accurate information regarding Indigenous history and our journey of reconciliation.听All members of our community are welcome and encouraged to attend the opening of this special space.

Following the launch, the ninth annual听惭补飞颈辞鈥檓颈听will be hosted on Studley Quad (or in the case of rain, the McInnes Room in the Student Union Building) beginning at 11:00 a.m. I hope that you will join this great celebration of culture, diversity and heritage, which includes a feast as well as Indigenous drummers and dancers.

In AV俱乐部鈥檚 200th year, in which we are celebrating our 鈥淵ear of Belonging,鈥澨齣t is particularly important to recognize and celebrate the legacy of the land on which our university sits, and our relationship with and responsibilities to the Mi鈥檏maq. Earlier this year,听AV俱乐部鈥檚 Board of Governors approved an Indigenous acknowledgement statement听that reads:

AV俱乐部 is located in Mi鈥檏ma鈥檏i, the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi鈥檏maq.
We are all Treaty people.

These words reflect both our past and our future, as we work to incorporate Indigenous education, research and support into the life of our institution. Consistent with these commitments, AV俱乐部 has adopted the听听(endorsed by both Board and Senate); launched our听Indigenous Studies minor听and its associated听Elders in Residence program; enhanced supports at the听Indigenous Student Centre, including the hiring of a new full-time advisor;听permanently raised the Mi鈥檏maq flag in Halifax and Truro; and significantly increased the hiring of Indigenous staff and faculty (nearing full labour-market representation of Indigenous employees).

Let鈥檚 continue this important work in the months and years to come. We are all Treaty people.

Sincerely,
Richard
--
Dr. Richard Florizone, President
AV俱乐部