Lodgepole Center
Guided by our Elder Council, the Lodgepole Center is an Indigenous gathering place for students, faculty and staff on campus. It’s a dedicated and inclusive space, and all members of AUArts are welcome.
Lodgepole Center (LPC) was gifted its name by the AUArts Elder Council and references the main lodgepole that supports a tipi, reflecting the circle of life teachings and at its core, the coming together of all things. Since opening in 2016, the LPC is more than living up to its name, hosting programs and providing access to cultural resources for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous students, staff, faculty and members of the public.
The Lodgepole Center successfully supports programming in health & wellness, traditional & cultural education, community involvement and personal development. Every initiative under the Lodgepole Center speaks to community and campus inclusion.
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Health & Wellness
- Indigenous Perspectives on Mental Health workshops
- One on one support
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Traditional & Cultural Teachings
- Elder in Residence program (resumes in November 2021)
- Elder teachings and classroom visits
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Community Involvement
- Orange Shirt Day/National Truth & Reconciliation Day (September 30)
- Purple Shirt Day/Honoring Spirit Day 2SLGBTQ+2 (October 15)
- Indigenous Veterans Day (November 8)
- Metis Week (November 15-21)
- Roc Your Mocs (November 15)
- Dreamcatcher Workshop (December TBC)
- National Indigenous Peoples Day (June 21)
- More programming will be announced. Stay tuned.
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Personal Development
- Aahwaatkamooksi Peer Mentorship Program
- Experiential learning
- Workshops
The Lodgepole Center is located on the third floor in Room 375 and the office hours are 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
If you have any questions, please contact:
Mary Ann Forbes, Coordinator, Indigenous Student Community
lodgepolecenter@auarts.ca
Elder Council
The AUArts Elder Council is an advisory board for the Lodgepole Center’s Indigenous programming. In addition to their advisory roles, guidance and rotating service with our Elder in Residence program, the Elders provide support with traditional ceremonies, teachings, workshops, sharing circles, blessings and one on one consultations.
Pictured left to right: Elder Casey Eagle Speaker (Kainai); Elder Darryl Brass Jr. (Cree, Anishinaabe, Tsuut'ina); Elder Linda Brass (Tsuut'ina); Elder Ruth Scalplock (Blackfoot); Elder Francis Melting Tallow (Blackfoot); Elder Paul Daniels (Stony Nakoda).
Not in this photo: Elder Edmee Comstock (Metis). We would also like to acknowledge one of our founding Elders, Darryl Brass (Anishinaabe/Cree) who has passed away and for whom we are forever grateful for his wisdom and support of the Lodgepole Center.
Our sponsors
The opening of our Lodgepole Center wouldn’t have happened without the continuing and generous support of the Government of Alberta (Access to the Future Fund Initiative) and the Suncor Energy Foundation.
*The Lodgepole Logo was designed by Kristy North Peigan (Alumni, BDes)