"I've never experienced a tipi raising before,” says Jessie Vossen, a second-year Indigenous Bachelor of Education student, “It makes me feel connected to my culture and reflect on the time I spend in the tipi.”

Ms. Vossen was one of many students who took part in the First Peoples House of Learning (FPHL) tipi raising in October. With the previous tipi beginning to show its age, the FPHL took the opportunity to erect a new tipi and also create a unique experiential learning opportunity for students to take part in. Through funding applications and the generosity of the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph, the FPHL was able to hire an expert to lead and facilitate the raising of a new tipi with students.

The tipi is a popular space of learning for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous students, and is a cornerstone of Indigenous Studies and student life at Trent.

"It’s really important for students in FPHL to have a space like this to use, and a traditional space for teaching," said Betty Carr-Braint, cultural counsellor at FPHL and organizer of the event. In addition to being a unique classroom space, the FPHL hosts regular social fires with fire keepers and ambassadors of the space, where all students are welcome to attend.

“I love having a tipi on campus, its culturally dynamic and different,” says Caitlyn Murphy-Eagleson, a second-year Social Work student. “Sometimes I study here instead of inside in a class, or at home and it's a totally different feel.”