ASC renamed Indigenous Student Centre

The following is a letter sent by Christine Cyr, director of the Indigenous student centre

Good morning colleagues,

I am very pleased to announce that the Aboriginal Student Centre will officially be called the Indigenous Student Centre, effective Monday, June 1^st.

The Centre is located in Migizii Agamik – Bald Eagle Lodge at the Fort Garry Campus.

The name change is a positive move for the Centre and the community for several reasons. According to Celeste McKay, a consultant on human rights and international affairs, the following were findings:

• While the terms “Aboriginal” and “Indigenous” have been used interchangeably and both refer to all of the original peoples of Canada, “Indigenous” is increasingly preferred in Canada.
• “Indigenous” is the term most often used around the world and in international human rights documents such as United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
• The term has positive associations with self-determination and human rights and is analogous with other terms like “Indigeniety”, which express continued pride and resilience of culture and identity.

Ms. McKay’s full findings are available on the Centre’s website.

The Indigenous Student Centre’s vision is to empower the next generation of proud Indigenous world leaders who are balanced in their traditional, cultural, and intellectual knowledge. Changing the name to reflect the most positive associations with the original peoples is directly in keeping with the vision of empowerment.

The University of Manitoba has recently strengthened its commitment to Indigenous Achievement as a strategic priority, expanding goals and actions so that Indigenous Achievement is woven throughout the university’s entire strategic plan. The Centre’s new name is a step toward strengthening global connections with Indigenous peoples around the world, and toward building a culturally rich, safe and supportive learning and work environment in which an increasing number of students, faculty and staff succeed.

Miigwetch. Ekosi. Marsi.