New Gathering Place Opened at UNBC

Tuesday, September 21, 2010 11:16 AM

Prince George, B.C. -Aboriginal students at the University of Northern British Columbia now have more support to help them succeed at their post-secondary education with the opening of a new gathering place.

The UNBC Gathering Place or Lhuhuhwhezdel has a fully equipped kitchen, is finished with various types of wood, and houses a unique ventilation system designed to exhaust all smoke during traditional smudging ceremonies. The facility will be used by the UNBC First Nations Centre, faculty, staff and the community.

Lhuhuhwhezdel means “Gathering Place” in the Lheidli dialect of the Dakelh language (Carrier First Nations).

Housed within the Geoffrey R. Weller Library building, the gathering place has two classrooms and an event space for cultural events, sharing of oral traditions, art and material displays, language revitalization and circle teachings.

“Lhuhuhwhezdel is a terrific reflection of a goal in our new University Plan to encourage a respectful, supportive, and friendly environment at UNBC,” said George Iwama, president of UNBC. “Thank you to the government of B.C., our own staff and faculty, and local elders who have helped to make this new centre a reality.”

Aboriginal gathering places are designed to decrease isolation and enhance support for Aboriginal students by building structures that reflect Aboriginal culture and history. UNBC’s gathering place is one of 27 being created at public post-secondary institutions across the province through a $13.6-million investment by the Province.

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Posted on Tuesday, September 21, 2010 11:16 AM in News by 250 News

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Comments

Posted by: Princeg55 on September 21 2010 12:22 PM

Great,just wonderful who through up this idea and were is the long term financing to support the concept?

Posted by: Donald Mackenzie on September 21 2010 1:11 PM

WHAT A BUNCH OF RACIST BULLSHIT

Posted by: Tudenom on September 21 2010 1:17 PM

For the most part the Gathering Place will support the activities the First Nations Studies program already does. They've been making do with facilties that weren't built for the purpose.

Smudging was a real issue as smoke would enter other parts of the building. Another problem was food preperation for cerimonies as the nearest kitchen is really far away and isn't allways available. There's also wheelchair access in really close proximity. Some of the elders who come to UNBC have special access needs. The rooms double as classroom space as well which benefits the entire University.

I'm sure there's opportunities to do things now that couldn't be done before, and there may be new funding opportunities that just weren't available before having a dedicated space like this.

I don't believe this was done on just a whim and all of this has been thought out and planned.

Posted by: Headshake on September 21 2010 1:49 PM

I think this is great.

Posted by: gus on September 21 2010 1:53 PM

Donald ..... we can always count on you to spout your racism on this site ......

Thanks for reminding us once more that you would have done well as a teacher in a Catholic residential school. You would have made sure that the white goodness was beaten into the brains of the aboriginals.

Posted by: seamutt on September 21 2010 2:29 PM

$600,000

Posted by: acrider54 on September 21 2010 3:23 PM

Posted by: boomer on September 21 2010 4:09 PM

Gus,Just wondering how saying something is racist makes someone racist.If that is the case does it not make you racist?

Posted by: gus on September 21 2010 5:00 PM

boomer ....

think it through a bit better than that ...

How would Jim Smith calling Hitler a racist make Jim Smith a racist?

Posted by: Harbinger on September 21 2010 5:10 PM

..calling Hitler a racist..? Wasn't he in charge of the "master race" for about 12 years? It didn't quite work out for him as I recollect.

Posted by: gus on September 21 2010 5:18 PM

Japanese club at UBC.

http://www.ubcja.net

"It will take some time to get adjusted to University life and hopefully we here at UBCJA can help relieve some of the stress a bit with some fun."

These kind of "cultural" clubs, whether Japanese, Ukrainian or Irish exist all over the world except in racist countries where some may not be allowed to exist.

If you do not understand the multicultural nature of Canada and the special role that the First Nations play in that, that is fine. But to call an activity such as that racist is totally off the mark.

In case it it the word racist/racism some people do not understand, then here is a definition for their convenient reminder:

Racism =
1. a belief or doctrine that inherent differences among the various human races determine cultural or individual achievement, usually involving the idea that one's own race is superior and has the right to rule others.

2. hatred or intolerance of another race or other races.

Posted by: gus on September 21 2010 5:19 PM

Harbinger ....

If you read below I think both 1 and 2 would apply to Hitler ....

Posted by: gus on September 21 2010 5:20 PM

I meant below your post .... :-)

Posted by: gus on September 21 2010 5:39 PM

For Donald and others like him, I am hoping that one of these days we will see a facility like this at UNBC.

http://www.longhouse.ubc.ca

From the web site:

"UBC's main Vancouver campus is located on the traditional territory of the Musqueam people. These lands have always been a place of learning for Musqueam youth, who were instructed in their culture, history, and tradition, and who in turn shared their knowledge with a new generation.

"Today, this tradition of learning continues as students from diverse communities and backgrounds come to what is now the University of British Columbia. We invite you to join the increasing number of Aboriginal students at UBC."

Enjoy!!!!

Posted by: disturbing_the_peace on September 21 2010 5:56 PM

Didn't UNBC already have an Aboriginal gathering place? Is this a renovation, expansion or an altogether second gathering place?

Also, smokers are a group of people that suffer the indignity of discrimination --can't UNBC build a special ventilated catered room for them?

Posted by: Harbinger on September 21 2010 6:37 PM

...ones own race is superior...? Isn't that like being called ethnocentric? And Hitler din't like the Jews or Gypsies. Jews and gypsies are races? The word racism is getting worn out. I don't like your cat. Am I a racist? You betcha.

Posted by: camoose on September 21 2010 7:53 PM

I would like to see a gathering place at UNBC for German students. Some placewhere they could lift a stein or two in honour of their German culture.

Posted by: Harbinger on September 21 2010 9:22 PM

Raise a stein? Not with our antiquated liquor laws AND nasty cops waiting on the roads fer ya. Went to Las Vegas many years ago. Apparently there one can drink WHILE you gamble. FREE alcoholic DRINKS,TOO! Here we have a lady with a pushcart who will sell you an Orange Crush for a toonie! At the casino here they will crucify you if you take yer drink off the purple carpet. We are world class, ain't we?

Posted by: Harbinger on September 21 2010 9:24 PM

Muslims have a place to pray up at UNBC? Put it on the list. Every one has rights. Doncha know?

Posted by: supertech on September 21 2010 10:27 PM

My son left this university for Calgarys. His explanation was: "if you're not an Indian or a woman, this university is not for you." I think that is a pretty good kick in the ass for any university.

Posted by: gus on September 21 2010 10:50 PM

Agree with your 100% with the Las Vagas casino versus BC Casino thing. Liquor laws in in Canada are still ridiculous but better than they were 50 years ago.

Separate entrances for men and women ... LOL .... here, you go this way honey and I'll go that way and we'll see each other inside. Just shows how stupid lawmakers can be. Still that way, only now it is other things.

A beer for a park picnic anyone? Yeah right. Open that can in a park or on the street and you'll be facing a judge.

Posted by: gus on September 21 2010 10:58 PM

Ah yes, U of C

Another University with a lovely Native Centre..... thanks for reminding me.

Oh, don't forget to tell you son to wath out in case he ever steps on campus :-)

http://www.ucalgary.ca/nativecr

"The mandate of The Native Centre at the University of Calgary is to provide a culturally appropriate environment that encourages and supports the success of Aboriginal students in their pursuit of knowledge and higher education. We host events throughout the year, often in partnership with the First Nations Student Association.

"Our staff is dedicated to enriching the quality of the student experience for Aboriginal learners at the University of Calgary, and to promoting the beauty, vitality, and diversity of Aboriginal culture within the University community."

I just do not know what our society is coming to in this country ... ;-)

Posted by: gus on September 21 2010 11:01 PM

Come on ... how many more racists can we attract to this thread ....

Posted by: gus on September 22 2010 12:03 AM

First Nations House at U of Toronto http://www.fnh.utoronto.ca

Then on to the USA, you know, the country where to be a card carrying "American Indian", showing the % of native blood can actually be a positive characteristic.

"Winds of Change" a magazine of the American Indian Science and Engineering Society which has existed for 3 decades to "substantially increase the representation of American Indian and Alaskan Natives in engineering, science and other related technology disciplines".

http://www.aises.org/AboutUs#work

Now ain't that somethin', eh???

Posted by: scorpio on September 22 2010 10:06 AM

Is it racist if you feel that the native community should help pay for these special features? I think that the government has made many payments to the natives for everything and anything they claim and that they should be paying for these added features as the Universities are there for everyone and other races such as East Indians, Japanees, etc. are not getting any extra considerations.

Posted by: Headshake on September 22 2010 10:39 AM

Heaven forbid a culture that has spent the last couple hundred years being dominated, exploited and systematically abused have a safe space in the university. Thank goodness we have an elite cadre of Prince George rednecks and racists to complain about white people having to see something that isn't familiar to them.

Newsflash, you hicks and ignoramuses who think the First Nations are getting too much special treatment: your idiotic attitudes are symptomatic of the fact that First Nations people are still oppressed and abused in Canada today.

Posted by: Harbinger on September 22 2010 12:07 PM

I better stop disagreeing with politically correct people. Keep my thoughts to myself lest they offend anyone. Being called a racist, (only white people are racist. Doncha know?),hicks, rednecks, ignoramuses, unelite, knuckle dragging Neanderthals,idiots,etc.Is that "politically correct to call people that? I call that offensive. First Nations people are still oppressed and abused? Not the First Nations guy driving that beautiful F-350 around town. He ain't oppressed. Just double the ten billion dollars First Nations chiefs get to $20 billion a year. That might mitigate some more of this "perceived" oppression. What a world.

Posted by: gus on September 22 2010 4:52 PM

Only white people are racist.... LOL

And you actually think that over a billion Chinese do not think that they are the superior race?

Remember, the definition of a racist includes the phrase " usually involving the idea that one's own race is superior and has the right to rule others".

;-)

Posted by: Harbinger on September 22 2010 6:37 PM

...the idea that one's own race is superior.....That is called ethnocentrism. Geez! Four syllable words make my head hurt. Right?