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FIRST PEOPLES HOUSE OF LEARNING
INDIGENOUS STUDIESElders in Residence - Michael Thrasher
February 6 to 10, 2012Michael Thrasher (Kawhywaweet) is a Cree Elder from Northern Saskatchewan who will be speaking on the topic of "Medicine Wheel Teachings". Michael is glad to be back at ttrent during this time of year. It was back in the 1970s that Michael and Eddie Bellerose first visited Trent to begin, what has now becme, the annual event that we refer to as the Elders Conference. This years' Elders conference begins on Friday February 10 and goes to Sunday February 12.
Michael Thrasher - Michael Thrasher (KA-WHYWA-WEET) is an honoured guest and our current Elder in Residence. Michael is visiting us from Victoria British Columbia. Michael is a Métis Elder, teacher, and cross-cultural knowledge exchange facilitator, mentor and in the greatest sense of the word- coach. Michael is a nationally recognized teacher of Indigenous Knowledge (Cree/Anishinabi) in the areas of philosophy, human development, and holistic health. Michael teaches and coaches in the areas of personal and community development, human resource management, finance, and Indigenous Peoples self-determination. We are so greatful to have Michael here during this Elders Gathering as he was one of the original people instrumental in the creation and realization of this vision - The Elders Gathering - here at First Peoples House of Learning.
The First Peoples House of Learning at Trent
Nozhem Performance Space Lecture Hall Gathering Space Ceremonial Space Reading Room Elders and Student Space Gallery Space Tipi Academic Offices Student Services
The First Peoples House of Learning (FPHL) is the centre of indigenous activities at Trent. The FPHL is a space created by its physical presence and the dialogue that it encourages. The FPHL is entertwined with Peter Gzowski College; both share the Eneweying Building on the east side of the Symons Campus.
The FPHL spaces are: Nozhem, the First Peoples Performance Space; Mshiikenh (Turtle sitting in the sun), the First Peoples Gathering Space; Bagwasendamowin (the art of hoping), the First Peoples Lecture Hall; Aachkingan (Room at the Centre), the Administrative centre for the Department of Indigenous Studies; the Olive Dickason Reading Room; Nandimowin (the art of learning) the Elders and Student Centre; the Outdoor Ceremony and Teaching Space and the Traditional Teaching area, complete with tipi and sweat lodge.
The design of the First Peoples House is distinctive and unique. Its various spaces are distributed through the building rather than grouped in one location. The idea behind this spatial arrangement was to reflect the distribution of Aboriginal Peoples throughout Canada and Canadian society: Aboriginal people are everywhere. The encounter with aboriginality in Canada is one of the distinguishing features of the country. The dialogue which results is intended to be educational for everyone.
The spaces of the First Peoples House of Learning offer more than a distinctive physical presence on campus. They are centres for academic programming and student life. They bring aboriginal peoples cultural knowledge and thought into the university in a respectful way. Aboriginal people and others are brought together in a spirit of co-operative learning. The unique spaces encourage thoughtful reflection, inquiry and complex understanding.
The gathering space hosts conferences, student meetings, the elders gathering, academic meetings and events; the performance space hosts academic classes of all types; student performances and a season of professional aboriginal performances as well as serving as the eastern summer home for the Centre for Indigenous Theatre; the traditional teaching area hosts elders’ visits, classes and seminars, traditional teaching workshops, sunrise ceremonies, feasts and other cultural activities.
