Indigenous Students
Champlain College-Lennoxville offers a welcoming space to study, build friendships, and engage in cultural and social activities. Students benefit from academic support, mentoring, traditional skills workshops, land-based learning, Indigenous language programs, and various events.
Indigenous Awards Application
Check your eligibility and submit your application.
Support in Academic Success
Services include:
- Individualized academic support and mentoring from the Student Life Counsellor for Indigenous students
- Assistance in applying for funding, scholarships, and post-collegiate and university studies
- Help with the transition from community to college life
- One-on-one tutoring and writing workshops available through a pedagogical tutor
- Opportunities for participation in Indigenous academic events
Cultural Activities and Revitalization
Land-based Learning Activities
Land-based learning activities take place once a month with a teacher who focuses on wellness and skill-building activities. Students can improve their knowledge and practice of shelter-building, fire-making, plant identification, meditation, and coal burning.
Traditional Skills
Traditional skills like moose-hide tanning, beading, and basket-making workshops are available on Champlain and Bishop’s University campus each year.
Indigenous Language Activities
Kchi al8msakw means the “big room” in Abenaki and establishes a space for the promotion of Indigenous languages and cultures at Champlain-Lennoxville and Bishop’s University.
The project engages with Indigenous and non-Indigenous students by providing a forum in which Indigenous languages and voices are heard, explored, and promoted (this is supported by PRESE Estrie Higher Education). The project hosts extra-curricular learning activities, presentations, discussions, and exchanges on Indigenous languages and cultures, paying particular attention to the Abenaki language. It also draws on Indigenous knowledge and experience by inviting guest speakers to present on these topics.
Each year, we honor the victims and families of the residential school system. We remember the children lost to the residential school system. We dedicate this week to learning the truth of the history and legacy of residential schools and day schools through the voices of First Nations, Metis, and Inuit people. On September 30, we participate in Orange Shirt Day to raise awareness and commemorate this day in response to Call to Action #80 in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action.
Fore more details, please visit the PRESE website.
For more details on residential school, click here.
Review the NCTR Reports
Monday, September 29th · Opening Ceremony
Time: 8:30 – 9:30 a.m.
Location: Champlain-College Lennoxville
Details: The entire Champlain-Lennoxville community is invited to a short ceremony in front of the Champlain Building. This opening ceremony will honour the children who never returned home from the Residential Schools as well as the Survivors and families.
Monday, September 29th · Reconciliation 5K Run/Walk
Time: 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.
Location: Path heading to Otto Beaver Park
Details: Join Bishop’s University in a 5K run or walk on the beautiful path heading to Otto Beaver Park, in memory of all those who never got the chance, and for those who did run away from Residential Schools but never made it home. Wear orange!
Meeting point in front of Kwigw8mna
Monday, September 29th · Screening of ''Florent Vollant: Innu''
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: La Maison du cinéma
Details: Watch the film “Florent Vollant : Innu”, a biography of the Innu singer-songwriter and political activist Florent Vollant, co-founder of the iconic band Kashtin. The film explores Florent’s commitment to his culture and his advocacy for the Innu language, history, and territory. https://lamaisonducinema.com/film/florent-vollant-innu/
Contact Lois Dana by MIO to reserve some free tickets (first come, first served).
Tuesday, September 30th · National Truth and Reconciliation Walk
Time: 12:30 p.m.
Location: In front of Kwigw8mna
Details: All of Sherbrooke, including Champlain-Lennoxville, is encouraged to attend the National Truth and Reconciliation Walk at Bishop’s University. We will gather at 12:30 p.m. for the walk and speeches in front of Kwigw8mna (an Abenaki word that means ‘our and everyone’s house’). Participants will include the University of Sherbrooke, Champlain College, Cégep de Sherbrooke, and the greater Sherbrooke community. Wear orange!
Wednesday, October 1st · Screening of Sugarcane
Time: 5:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Location: Bandeen Hall and Bandeen 127
Details: Join us in watching the film Sugarcane, a feature documentary from Julian Brave NoiseCat and Emilie Cassie, in Bandeen Hall from 5-7 pm, followed by a discussion of the film in Bandeen 127.
Sugarcane is an epic cinematic portrait of a community during a moment of international reckoning. In 2021, evidence of unmarked graves was discovered on the grounds of an Indian residential school run by the Catholic Church in Canada. After years of silence, the forced separation, assimilation, and abuse many children experienced at these segregated boarding schools was brought to light, sparking a national outcry against a system designed to destroy Indigenous communities. Set amidst a groundbreaking investigation, SUGARCANE illuminates the beauty of a community breaking cycles of intergenerational trauma and finding the strength to persevere.
https://films.nationalgeographic.com/sugarcane
The SECCL (faculty union) will be providing some small beverages and food for this event.
*There will be cultural support and a social worker present at the event as the topics in the film are very heavy.
Thursday, October 2nd · A Conversation on Truth, Reconciliation, and our Relationship to the Land
Time: 12:30 – 1:45 p.m.
Location: Champlain Lobby
Details: The Philosophy Club invites you to “A Conversation on Truth, Reconciliation, and our Relationship to the Land.”
Join us for soup, Bannock, cornbread, tea, and a conversation with Holly McComber from Kahnawake First Nation, as well as the members of the club.
Friday, October 3rd · Launch of Sentier de la Parole
Time: 11:00 a.m.
Location: Front of Champlain Building
Details: Join us for the launch of the Sentier de la Parole. Created by the French Department, this path celebrates the work of renowned Indigenous cultural and literary figures through poetic texts displayed in French, English, and Indigenous languages. It’s an invitation to walk, reflect, and celebrate language, culture, and community.
Friday, October 3rd · Conference with Ryley Blake
Time: 12:15 – 1:30 p.m.
Location: Champlain Lobby
Details: Ryley Blake is an Inuvialuk and Gwich’in student who was born and raised in Inuvik, Northwest Territories. Join her as she shares her experiences with colonialism
Friday, October 3rd · Kwigw8mna: Building for the Future
Time: 2:00 p.m.
Location: Centennial Theatre
Details: Join us for the premiere of a documentary about the making of Kwigw8mna. The documentary viewing will be followed by a panel discussion on decolonization education, concluding with tours of the Kwigw8mna building.
‘Kwigw8mna’, an Abenaki word that means ‘our and everyone’s house’, was named by Chief Rick O’Bomsawin of Odanak. Learn more about the building here.
MMIWG2S Awareness Days and Vigils
October 4, February 14, and May 5 are days to honor the lives of Missing and Murdered Indigenous women, girls, and gender-diverse people. These are also days to support the families of MMIWGS victims and to find healing. On the Champlain and Bishop’s University campus, we honour these days through participation in vigils and awareness activities.
Visit MMIWG2S
Moose Hide Campaign
We participate in the Moose Hide Campaign Day each year. This campaign encourages Indigenous and non-Indigenous people to stand up against violence towards women and children. It is a day to fast, wear a moose hide pin, donate, and learn.
