The University of Lethbridge’s annual Indigenous Awareness Week, March 17-21, embraces the spirit of reconciliation by offering a host of activities designed to facilitate conversations and understanding.

“What Indigenous Awareness Week does is bring people together and build relationships,” says Iikaisskini (Low Horn), Dr. Leroy Little Bear (BASc (BA) '72, DASc '04), vice-provost Iniskim Indigenous Relations. “The more we talk to each other, the better we know each other, the easier it is to work together. In my words, it's all about relationships. If we have good relationships, it's much easier to work together and to cooperate.”

The week begins with an Opening Ceremony at 11 a.m. on Monday, March 17, in the Science Commons Atrium, followed by a noon-hour feast with a mini-powwow and dance demonstration at 1 p.m., as well as a special Blackfoot Naming Transfer Ceremony for the Dhillon School of Business.

Each day of the week offers several events, including “Treaty 7 – Our Story” told by Elder Clarence Wolf Leg Sr. and a West Coast fashion show and storytelling on Tuesday; workshops with Destination Exploration and a Career Bridge Blackfoot Naming Ceremony on Wednesday; learn about incorporating Indigenous knowledge within the Agility Innovation Zone or check out the bannock/frybread bake-off competition on Thursday; and celebrate 40 years of Indigenous Business Education or join the Métis jigging workshop on Friday.

A full list of events is available at go.uleth.ca/iaw.