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EDITOR • MANAGING EDITOR Donald Fraser ’91 COPY EDITOR Megan Ward DESIGN Beeline Design & Communications CONTRIBUTORS Lorraine Bennett ’72, Donald Fraser ’91, Jess Grover ’02, Lee Hays ’91, Amanda Hobbs ’11, Harry Kitchen, Dan Longboat ’70, Melissa Moroney, Melanie Sedge ’04, Tony Storey ’71, Kathryn Verhulst-Rogers, Bill Waiser ’71, 32 Kate Weersink, 32 EDITORIAL BOARD Marilyn Burns ’00, Sebastian Cosgrove ’06 Donald Fraser ’91, Lee Hays ’91, Melissa Moroney, 4 | Editorial Ian Proudfoot ’73 PRINTING and BINDING 5 | A Message from Maracle Press, Oshawa President Leo Groarke TUAA COUNCIL HONORARY PRESIDENT T.H.B. Symons 6 | What’s New at Trent PRESIDENT 8 | A Whirlwind Year Jess Grover ’02 9 | Showcase: Experiential Learning VP CAMPUS COMMUNITIES Charlene Holmes ’85 Edition VP COUNCIL ORGANIZATION 11 | Indigenous Education Feature Jessica Lee ’05 18 VP COMMUNICATIONS & MEMBERSHIP 23 | Giving: Philanthropy Matters Sebastian Cosgrove ’06 28 | Canadian Cities: Taxes VP ENGAGEMENT AND PHILANTHROPY Maile Loweth Reeves ’79 30 | Champlain College COUNCILLORS 3627 | The Canadian Difference Cheryl Coss ’05, Wei Lynn Eng ’99, Athena Flak ’93, 39 | Events Danen Oberon ’07, Herb O’Heron ’75, Steven Robertson ’93, Jessica Rogers ’12, 11 40 | Trent People Karen Sisson ’78, Karen Smith ’06, Diane Therrien ’10, Tawny Weese ’07 44 | Looking Back CHAPTER PRESIDENTS Maile Loweth Reeves ’79 (York Region) Caleb Smith ’93 (Niagara Region) Laura Suchan ’84 (Oshawa/Durham Region) Lorraine Bennett ’72 (Vancouver) Derrick Farnham ’83 (Montreal) David Wallbridge ’96 (Halifax/Dartmouth) Steve Cavan ’77 (Saskatoon) 42 Gordon Copp ’76 (British Isles) Patrick Lam ’86 (Hong Kong) COUNCIL-COLLEGES LIAISON Follow us @trentalumni on Twitter, Jessica Rogers ’12 @trent_alumni on Instagram, SENATE ALUMNI REPRESENTATIVE The Trent University Alumni Danen Oberon ’07 Association page on Facebook, GSA REPRESENTATIVE and The Official Trent University Danielle Harris ’06 Alumni Association group on DIRECTOR OF ALUMNI AFFAIRS Lee Hays ’91 LinkedIN. ALUMNI SERVICES COORDINATOR Sue Robinson ON THE COVER: ALUMNI AFFAIRS ASSISTANT Dan Longboat ’70 26 Sylvia Hennessy Photo: Michael Cullen ’82 MANAGER OF ALUMNI AFFAIRS & CONVOCATION Joanne Sokolowski TRENT Magazine 48.1 3 EDITOR’S NOTES
RESPONSIBILITY, PURPOSE, AND VISION
move forward. In this edition, Prof. Longboat discusses the current and future states of Aboriginal education. We also feature a story on Trent professor and Elder Shirley Williams’s philosophy on teaching Indigenous language and culture. Writing this from my office, located on the traditional territory of the PROMOTING INDIGENOUS EDUCATION Mississauga Anishnaabe, I believe that it is Trent’s obligation to continue to be In an Indigenous perspective on teaching, we believe that people have a wealth a leader in Indigenous education. I also of knowledge embedded within them. Our job as teachers and as traditional believe that it is Canada’s obligation people is to enable them and actualize those gifts that they are already carrying. to promote this educational process I remind students that I’m not telling them anything new, but rather reminding in any ways that it possibly can. I can them of what they already know. I use the same words and language that my only hope that by using the pages of teachers did with me when I was at Trent over 40 years ago. And I remind TRENT Magazine to help highlight students that this knowledge is cyclical. You can see the lights come on within the current and future states of First the students when you talk to them like this. And when those lights come on, Nations education, alumni will continue those students are transformed. They have a different perspective. They are to recognize the importance of connected. They have a sense of responsibility, a sense of purpose, and a sense Indigenous culture in shaping the future of vision. And it helps them fulfill the gifts and purposes they have here on earth. of both Canada and the world. We still have a lot to do when it Dan Longboat ’70, director, Indigenous Environmental Studies comes to both levelling the educational playing field and understanding the value of traditional knowledge. As a here have been an awful lot Environmental Studies degree, a Ph.D. university community, I believe we of lights turned on at Trent degree in Indigenous Studies, and the are uniquely qualified to embrace and TUniversity. creation of Frost Centre for Canadian partake in this work. In 1969, Trent became the first Studies & Indigenous Studies. Trent university in Canada, and only the has long been home to a major annual We need to keep turning the lights on. second in North America, to establish Elders Gathering. We now house a And banishing the dark. an academic department dedicated to vibrant First People’s House of Learning. the study of Aboriginal peoples. Co- It is, however, a transitional time Donald Fraser ’91 founded by Dr. Harvey McCue ’66 of for Indigenous education. Much of [email protected] the Georgina Island First Nations, and the the recent dialogue on the issue Trent’s first president, Professor Tom has centred around the Truth and Symons, the Indian-Eskimo Studies Reconciliation process—and the fallout Don’t forget to follow us: Program (now known as Indigenous of centuries of injustice and abuse Studies) led the way for other programs of First Nations peoples in Canada’s @TrentAlumni in Canada. residential school system. In fact, we @Trent_Alumni The mission to empower First published a piece by Prof. McCue on Nations groups to preserve and Truth and Reconciliation in the Winter Trent University Alumni promote their cultures has led to Trent 2016 edition of this magazine. Association page being a global leader in the field. Trent’s We are right to continue our Indigenous education programs have push for healing in the Indigenous The Official Trent University Alumni Association expanded to include an an Indigenous educational process, and there is also B.Ed. program, an Indigenous much to celebrate in our attempts to
4 TRENT Magazine 48.1 A MESSAGE FROM THE EIGHTH PRESIDENT & VICE-CHANCELLOR LEARNING (AND TEACHING) CHANGE
Highly-anticipated new Student Centre set Trent faculty lead the charge in knowledge and discourse to open for fall 2017.
rent’s campuses are beautiful Professor David Newhouse’s work of whole galaxies, with a particular in each and every season. One with the Urban Aboriginal Knowledge focus on what happens when galaxies Tof my special memories of this Network. merge and interact. He is part of past Christmas is kayaking on the In Canadian Studies, our a team of researchers who have Otonabee River on Christmas Eve and success is evident in four books that recently published an important paper Christmas Day (the highlight was a our graduates have released with on dwarf galaxy groups in the leading bald eagle soaring overhead). UBC Press this year. In Exhibiting journal Nature Astronomy. Like the seasons, life brings Nation, Caitlin Gordon-Walker In our attempts to support the change. At Trent, we aspire to support ‘07 explores the tension between changes pursued by our professors change for the better—in a way that unity and diversity in three nationally and our students, Trent too will affords us an opportunity to learn, recognized museums. In Shelter in a change. This year the changes will grow and inspire. One way in which Storm, Casey Ready ‘06, discusses include the completion of our new this manifests itself is in the work of the effect of government policy on Student Centre (I hope you will be able our professors, who embrace these three women’s shelters in Ontario. In to attend the opening celebration); values as they change the way we From Left to Right: Materialism and a variety of new programs; the view the world. Women’s Political Activism in Postwar continuing rebirth of Traill; and a As the first university in Canada Canada, Brian T. Thorn ’01 looks at key renovation of our iconic Bata to introduce an Indigenous Studies what motivated Canadian women to Library, which will be supported degree, Trent has developed a unique become politically engaged in the by $8.1 million in funding from the and well-established program in 1940s and 50s. And in Blood, Sweat federal and provincial governments. Indigenous Studies. Currently its and Fear, Jeremy Milloy ’98 explores Additional contributions from the members are playing a leading role the origins and effects of individual University and important donor gifts initiating, shaping and influencing violence inside the automotive will be the basis of an $18 million the (long overdue) conversation, industry. renovation which is designed to which began with the historic release You can see how Trent professors respect the library’s heritage elements; of the Final Report of the Truth are changing our view of things rebuild its physical infrastructure and Reconciliation Commission of extraterrestrial by exploring the work (which is in need of attention after Canada. As one example, I would note of Dr. David Patton in Physics and 50 years of service); and make it a Astronomy. He studies the evolution state-of-the-art library, which will serve our teaching and research needs for Trent’s next 50 years. The changes at Trent are motivated by a desire to maintain the underlying values that have made it such a remarkable institution, at the same time that it adjusts to, serves, and engages the rapidly changing world around us. I hope you will join us in facilitating and supporting Trent as it pursues this ideal.
Leo Groarke, Ph.D. President & Vice-Chancellor Trent President Leo Groarke shares details about the Bata Library revitalization. [email protected]
TRENT Magazine 48.1 5 WHAT’S NEW AT TRENT UNIVERSITY
New Medical Professional Stream Prepares Grads for Careers in Medicine
For students considering a career in medicine, a unique new program at Trent is the perfect fit. Launching in September 2017, the Medical Professional Stream is designed to bolster students’ chances of admission into a school of medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, or pharmacy. The new program offers guidance in course selection, volunteer activities, and skills development opportunities and helps prepare students for professional program examinations, applications, and interviews. Students enrolled in the Medical Professional Stream will be able to pursue an arts or science degree in a major of their choice, but will also receive guidance in courses to take outside of their main area of study to provide them with a broader academic background. trentu.ca/medpath
Trent Makes Waves Down Under at Collegiate Way Conference
Over eight countries and 40 different institutions gathered at the Australian National University in Canberra this past fall to attend workshops and present papers on various aspects of the university college model at the second Collegiate Way Conference. As one of a select few universities in Canada that operates under a residential college system, and a New Canada Research Chairs Named founding member of Collegiate Way International, Trent is Ever wondered how humans $1 million in federal funding, two considered a leader. At this year’s interacted with the environment over of Trent University’s leading faculty conference, Melanie Sedge ’04, 5,000 years ago? Or what makes up members will work to answer these head of Champlain College, and Dr. the composition and functionality of questions as Canada Research Michael Eamon, principal of Traill materials such as starch, cellulose, Chairs (CRCs). Dr. Paul Szpak, a new College, presented a paper on Trent’s bone, and dyes? Thanks to a combined Anthropology professor at Trent, collaborative collegiate model. They was recently named a tier two CRC argued that Trent uniquely balances in Environmental Archaeology, and central administrative functions with Dr. Aaron Slepkov was renewed independent-minded and spirited as a tier two CRC in the Physics of colleges. At the conference, Professor Biomaterials for a five-year term. Eamon was also unanimously re- Trent University’s number of CRCs is elected as chair of Collegiate Way exceptionally large for a university of International. its size. Trent’s complement of eight chair holders advance teaching and learning through their leading edge explorations in diverse disciplines.
Left: Dr. Paul Szpak
6 TRENT Magazine 48.1 Excalibur Women’s Lacrosse Takes Home Gold Dr. Robert Wright Joins After Undefeated Season Diplomats on Prime Minister’s Visit to Cuba It was a season for the history books and a championship game that will be remembered for years to come. Just four years after the women’s lacrosse It was a whirlwind trip for Trent program began at Trent University, the team took home gold in the Ontario University Durham – GTA historian and University Athletics (OUA) championships this past fall. After going undefeated alumnus Dr. Robert Wright ’79, who in the regular season, the team met the five-time defending champion, the joined a contingent of government Western Mustangs, for their final game. After falling behind early in the game, officials, international diplomats, the team rallied in the second half to take the match 12-11. It’s clear that after and ministerial trade representatives taking home the first OUA championship banner in women’s team sport at attending Prime Minister Justin Trent, the women’s lacrosse team is a force to be reckoned with. Trudeau’s official state visit to Cuba. Professor Wright has penned several books about former Prime Minister Trent Alum and Instructor Pierre Trudeau, including international Makes Groundbreaking bestseller Three Nights in Havana, and Historical Discovery his latest book, Trudeaumania: The Rise to Power of Pierre Elliott Trudeau. Uncovering top secret documents that He was invited by Patrick Parisot, the prove that Canadian officials had been Canadian ambassador to the Republic of secretly wiretapping suspected spies during Cuba, to participate in some the Cold War era is all in a day’s work of the visit’s key events as a for Dr. Dennis Molinaro ’03. Professor guest of the prime
Shutterstock.com © Steve Wood Shutterstock.com © Steve Molinaro is a current faculty member in minister’s office. “It was a Trent’s History Department and a graduate nice surprise to be invited of Trent University Durham – GTA. Prof. Molinaro gives credence to work to Havana during Prime as a historian today from the time he spent studying at Trent. “We cannot Minister Trudeau’s official know who we are today or where we are heading next if we don’t critically visit, and to be a fly on examine our past in an open and transparent way, however fraught with the wall for such an mistakes and missteps it may be. Trent was and still is a university that historic occasion,” understands that.” remarked Prof. Wright.
TRENT Magazine 48.1 7 ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE A WHIRLWIND YEAR New and exciting ways of bringing alumni together
ime flies when you’re having does just that! Our Community for fun. Nothing could more Trent Women focuses on highlighting Taccurately describe 2016 and women in leadership roles and helping the whirlwind of exciting activity them to develop, and these events are that flowed through the year. In the open to all. first year of our three-year strategic Alumni are always asking how overwhelmed by the stellar alumni plan for Trent Alumni, we set out and they can be more involved with who are excelling in their careers, accomplished some lofty goals. current students. Life After Trent their communities, and at Trent; and One of our priorities was to programs help connect students and my first Annual General Meeting as modernize the way we communicate alumni—recent grads are asked to president, where there was so much with alumni around the world, and take part in our networking sessions interest in taking part that our council that is well underway. We have a new with upper-year students, and alumni and committees filled up with skilled monthly enewsletter (make sure we more established in their careers can and dedicated individuals at record have your current email address so become mentors to students in similar speed. None of this would have been you can check it out too!); we are fields. * See below to find out more. possible without the Alumni Council, expanding our social media presence; These are just a few of the dozens of Alumni Affairs, and the broader Trent and, as a reader of TRENT Magazine, initiatives that are underway as part of communities. Thank you! you’ve probably noticed that it’s gone the first year of the strategic plan. through some changes as well. This is This year also marked my first as all a part of our drive to include more president of the TUAA. There are so The only thing that could relevant and intellectual content in all many amazing things I’ve been able make Alumni activities at of our communication channels. to take part in, but three things stand We’re also seeing more people out as I look back on 2016: Trent Trent more exciting is you! getting involved in programs. We are Durham – GTA’s first convocation in answering the call to bring together the Durham region, where I was able alumni through more than just year, to welcome an enthusiastic, inspiring Looking forward to 2017 brings a new college, or geography—and our first group of new alumni into the family; set of exciting opportunities. As part of SIG (special/shared interest group) our 2016 Alumni Awards, where I was the 50th anniversary of the TUAA, we’ll be taking the Alumni Awards program on the road so that more alumni can participate in an inspiring evening of celebration; Stephen Stohn ’66 will be hosting all of us on April 12 in Toronto; Convocation 2017 should see our 50,000th alum join the family; and we will host our first alumni volunteer recognition event. The only thing that could make 2017 better is seeing and hearing from more of you. My first year as president has been challenging, inspiring, and rewarding— here’s to another year, enthusiastically serving and representing you. Jess Grover ’02 [email protected]
* For more information and to get involved, check out mycommunity.trentu.ca/alumni/life-after-trent
8 TRENT Magazine 48.1 EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING SHOWCASE EDITION
DOCTOR’S CHARTS & OPERATING ROOMS UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT PREPARES FOR A CAREER IN MEDICINE
INSIDE DEFACTO ith every doctor’s chart, and decision-making processes operating room procedure, that directly affect the well-being of Have Pen, Will Travel and medical diagnosis, Camille patients. She closely observed the daily W Traveling across Scandinavia Quang is using her Trent internship activities of physicians in four different following in the footsteps of a experience to prepare for a successful fields as they interacted with patients famous author? Talk about a career in medicine. or consulted with their medical team. learning experience of a lifetime. The fourth-year Biology student, “It has been such a tremendous who is pursuing a specialization in revelation,” states Ms. Quang. “This Digging Belize Health Sciences, applied for and internship is a once-in-a lifetime The lost history of the ancient earned a coveted spot in the Internship opportunity for undergraduate Maya is unearthed by Trent in Medical Sciences course at Trent students like me to get a glimpse students. and landed an enviable placement at into the work life of physicians. I The ABCs of DNA the Peterborough Regional Health am honoured to have been chosen Forensic Science students at Trent Centre (PRHC). Yes, a medical to participate in this program. This have the opportunity to use DNA internship placement in fourth-year experience will be crucial in the next to track illegal hunters, and much undergrad! steps toward becoming a medical more. As an intern at PRHC, Ms. Quang doctor.” had a first-hand view into the practices Heartaches Help You Grow The Trent-in-Ghana experience offers students an amazing opportunity to learn and grow. Learn more about Camille Quang’s internship at PRHC in a short video at trentu.ca/showcase Read the full articles in the fall 2016 Experiential Learning edition at trentu.ca/showcase
TRENT Magazine 48.1 9
SHOWCASE
Intern Extraordinaire: TRENT DURHAM – GTA STUDENT SNAGS TWO PLACEMENT OPPORTUNITIES
When the opportunity to participate in not one, but two internships presented itself, Trent University Durham – GTA Business Administration student Andrew Umukoro knew it was an opportunity he couldn’t pass up. “The chance to see how a private corporation works in relation to a public organization was enticing. I knew that gaining experience in both industry fields with relevant experience was going to give me an edge. Plus, I was also earning academic credits: it was a win-win for me.” In his third year of the popular Business program at Trent’s Durham – GTA campus, Mr. Umukoro spent both Weaving a Path to Cultural Understanding semesters working towards two internship credits: the first one as an external events analyst with the administration For Trent alumna Jennifer Boyce ’10, a high school trip team on campus, and the second as a financial analyst at to teach spelling and math to children in Jamaica was a Gerdau Steel, a century-old international steel mill with roots compelling prelude to her time at Trent in the International in Whitby. Development Studies and Indigenous Studies programs, and Now a fourth-year student and with a graduation date ultimately life-changing global expeditions. within reach, Mr. Umukoro, who’s specializing in accounting, Trent University’s study abroad program transported has gained not only invaluable experience in his chosen field, her from Peterborough to a remote Indigenous village in but also insight into the inner workings of management and Thailand. From there, education, on-the-ground research, hiring practices. contacts and cultural immersion took her all the way to the “Thousands of students graduate every year with the United Nations. exact same degree written on their resume. It’s tough to Along with other students in the Trent University study distinguish yourself to an employer without a demonstrated abroad program, Ms. Boyce immersed herself in the study of skill set. Through Trent internships, I can differentiate myself Thai language, culture and Indigenous Hill Tribes in Northern by getting relevant workplace experience that proves my Thailand at Chiang Mai University (CMU). She then embarked value as a qualified employee to any employer.” on her placement in the Karen Hill Tribe village known as Mae Klang Luang, high upon Doi Inthanon, Thailand’s largest mountain, which became her distant home and research location for the next four months. “It was truly a life changing experience,” Ms. Boyce recalls, adding that she was initially viewed as an outsider until she asked a woman to teach her to weave, a practice expected of all women in the village—and more importantly a path to acceptance and her research. “Soon every woman in the community was asking about my weaving and inviting me to their homes. Some came to keep me company while I weaved.” Thanks to her hands-on experience working in a foreign country during her undergraduate experience at Trent, Ms. Boyce was soon accepted as an intern at United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Bangkok. Ms. Boyce says that, “Beyond the connections that helped me to get a foot in the Hear more from Andrew Umukoro about his internship experiences in a door, the education I received at Trent went well above and short video at trentu.ca/showcase beyond preparing me for the role at the UN.”
Explore the full Experiential Learning edition of Showcase at: trentu.ca/showcase
10 TRENT Magazine 48.1 THE RETURNING NATURE OF INDIGENOUS EDUCATION: To Make Real Human Beings
DR. DAN LONGBOAT ’70
ver the past few years, in 1744. Replying to the Virginian mid-18th century, the “education” terminology has shifted Legislature offer to take six young offered by the colonies had begun Ofrom “Indian” to “Aboriginal” Haudenosaunee men to college in to separate Indigenous youth from to “First Nations” to “Indigenous.” Williamsburg, he politely declined, their communities—to integrate and This last term reflects the language saying “we know that you highly prize assimilate them into Euro-American of international conversations like the learning taught in these colleges societies. Offers of education the United Nations Declaration on and we have some knowledge of gradually became enforced legal the Rights of Indigenous Peoples them … we have had several of our requirements, and then coercive (UNDRIP). This evolution has young people attend these colleges, programmes of cultural destruction— accompanied a recovery of pride and learned your sciences, but the grim residential schools. and identity. It has also permitted when they came back to us … they After the last residential schools some careful distinctions to be were unfit for hunters, warriors, nor closed their doors, most Indigenous made: The Truth and Reconciliation counsellors; they were totally good students in Canada were in schools Commission of Canada, for for nothing.” Then he invited “the that taught the provincial curriculum, example, has distinguished between Gentlemen of Virginia to send us a with teachers qualified through “Aboriginal law” (Canadian laws about dozen of their sons. We will take great provincial colleges and universities, Indigenous peoples) and “Indigenous care of their education, instruct them learning the skills and values that law” (the ancient systems of laws in all we know, and make men of “Canadians” ought to carry, but void of those peoples themselves). The them.” Canessatego certainly said we of any Indigenous content or context. same distinction can be made would make them into onkwehonwe, A federal “Indian Control of Indian between “Aboriginal education” and “real human beings,” through an Education” policy of the early 1970s “Indigenous education,” though education process predicated upon slyly made that control subject to we ought to keep in mind that our traditional learning pedagogies federal capital commitments that thinking, as well as our terminology, utilizing cultural knowledge, traditions condemned the students to another are still evolving: the differences are and practices. generation of provincial curricula. The not yet sharply defined. The purpose of any education present federal Aboriginal education Canessatego, an Onondaga system is to help create vibrant, proposals are predicated on the chief, spoke at the Treaty of Lancaster engaged citizens. But already in the students meeting provincial standards.
TRENT Magazine 48.1 11 Injecting “indigeneity” into all levels of Sotsisowa John Mohawk, and doctorate, and had lifelong knowledge education is as vague as the practice Tekaronianeken Jake Swamp. They of the language and culture that far of “reconciliation” by individuals who called for consciousness of our human surpassed academic credentials. By the often have too little knowledge of ecological responsibilities, while late 1970s, Trent endorsed bicultural Indigenous cultures, and too much insisting, without compromise, that education, as ensuing generations enthusiasm for recently minted the Haudenosaunee have a unique of faculty continued to balance terms and political goals. Assimilation and respectable contribution to make Indigenous knowledge and Euro- continued. The erosion of Indigenous to the world. These actions begot the American academia. The Indigenous languages is measurable: the erosion recreation of a new form of culture- knowledge-carriers were also of cultures is happening at the same based education that directly met the practitioners of Indigenous pedagogies. pace as the inevitable development needs and aspirations of Indigenous They taught as they had learned. The and degradation of the environments peoples and communities. It is these reciprocity and respect they practiced that support those same peoples and efforts in culture-based learning, that required the engagement of the whole cultures. needs to be recognized, supported and student and the whole teacher. In the past we were faced with promoted, that are making a cultural While some academics hard choices. When our youth went to difference in community, and in the concentrated on decolonizing schools, they suffered loss of culture, world. pedagogy and methodology, most language, and values. When we kept Indigenous cultural scholars proceeded them away, they were ill-equipped to We must continue to seek as though colonization had never deal with the politics, economy, and synergy in respectful and happened. Following the thinking of society around them. At the same time, equitable dialogue across multiple Sostsisowah John Mohawk, some most North American schools were still knowledge systems. scholars simply used our own ways, teaching the skills required of assembly without looking over our shoulders at line factory workers, not critical the past three centuries. There was too thinkers: punctuality, synchronization, At Trent University, our engagement much recovery work to do to worry obedience, and standardization. with Indigenous education began when about identifying or quantifying the “Education” was eating at the essence an insightful Board of Governors, and damage as purely only research data. of our societies: the core of who we the first president, Professor Thomas Indigenous education, its practices were, not just as Indigenous peoples, Symons, created an Indian and Eskimo and means and critical thought arising but as human beings. Studies Program in 1969 (T. Symons, within Indigenous cultures, was a Indigenous peoples in North K. Kidd, D. McCaskill, H. McCue and natural consequence of reassertion of America began a resurgence in the M. Brant-Castellano). This program the value of those cultures themselves. 1950s and 1960s. They asserted a became the Department of Native Shoring up Indigenous knowledge right to protect and recover their Studies in 1975 and Indigenous Studies created opportunities for cross-cultural lands, cultures, governments, laws, in 2005. A continuing conversation learning within the academy. It reaches and languages. They used laws and took place between resident academics across disciplines: environment, treaties, but also prophecies and and equally knowledgeable Indigenous business, politics, sociology, health old teachings. In Haudenosaunee elders who came from across the sciences, and education. country, this movement was being country. Tehajegrentha Jake Thomas, Trent began as an interdisciplinary led by people like Sakokwenonkwas Kaientaronkwen Ernie Benedict and institution, and derives an even greater Tom Porter, Joagquisho Oren Lyons, Anishinabeg elder Fred Wheatley opportunity from this enriched cross- Thadadaho Leon Shenandoah, were as respected as anyone with a cultural dynamic. We must continue to
12 TRENT Magazine 48.1 seek synergy in respectful and equitable dialogue across multiple knowledge systems, utilizing these dynamics to take curriculum and education to a higher level of student engagement, promoting lifelong learning. This demands not just critical and analytical thinking, but the development of integrative and interactive thinking skills. A Trent classroom should be a place of respectful engagement, not only between mainstream Canadian and Indigenous students, teachers, and cultures, but with the peoples and cultures of the world. In short, students need to see a reflection of themselves A CEREMONY OF LIGHT in their learning in order to make Dr. Dan Longboat’s journey to becoming an educator education relevant and meaningful; only then can they truly succeed, taking both teaching and learning to a For all of Dr. Dan Longboat’s economic success first working whole new level. By breaking cultural academic accomplishments, he was with the Bank of Nova Scotia in walls as well as academic silos, we are relatively late in finding his way to helping set up financial and business reconsidering how education occurs teaching. programs with First Nations groups across time, space, as well as cultures The Turtle Clan member of across Canada and then in real and landscapes. the Mohawk Nation holds a degree estate. This opportunity returns us to the from Trent in Indigenous Studies “I was a young guy,” he recalls. hard choices of the past. As Indigenous (with a special interest in behavioural “I was making great money. It was peoples, we need to support and psychology), and both a Master’s pretty awesome. At least on the develop our own institutions and and a Ph.D. in Environmental Studies surface.” approaches to education. We carry from the Faculty of Environmental Deeper inside, though, he knew a responsibility to our ancestors and Studies at York University. He began much was missing—some of which to Creation to sustain our cultures, teaching part-time in the Indigenous came to the surface one evening languages, and lifeways, and to Studies Program at Trent University when Professor Don McCaskill ensure their survival by passing in 1995 with his mentor, the late invited him back to Trent to give a them on to coming generations. Chief Jake Thomas, and became the keynote speech to new graduates How can we foster and strengthen first director of studies for the Native about being a role model. these at the same time as engaging Studies Ph.D. Program in 1998. In “And then I don’t know what in an increasingly international 2004, Prof. Longboat officially joined happened to me,” he smiles. “I and interdisciplinary conversation? Trent’s Faculty of Indigenous Studies. introduced myself as Dan Longboat, This challenge is truly an exciting He is currently both a professor a graduate from early on at Trent, opportunity to be addressed within the in the Department of Indigenous and that I was there to talk about reality of Indigenous education. Studies and the director of the my success and how my education I would like to believe that we Indigenous Environmental Studies at Trent helped make me a success. are finally embarking on a learning Program. And that I was thankful for it. But journey, within a university setting, and But for the longest time, then I realized that all of this didn’t achieving the goal that Canessatego education was far from Prof. make me happy. And I found set nearly 300 years ago: to embrace Longboat’s mind. After graduating myself telling the students and the our students, and to help them become from Trent in 1977, he found audience that I probably wasn’t the onkwehonwe, “real human beings.” Continued on the next page.
TRENT Magazine 48.1 13 greatest role model. That I didn’t know then, when that job was cut by the And on the first day of class, in my language. That I didn’t really know incoming Mike Harris government, 1996, it all came together. my ceremonies. That I had to struggle he moved to York University to work “I walked in there and the class with my own identity—who I was and on a M.A. degree with school chum was full,” Prof. Longboat recalls. “Full where I came from.” Paul Bourgeois. As part of his master’s of young kids. So I started by saying Looking around the room, he saw research, Prof. Longboat designed ‘my name’s Dan Longboat and I’m a lot of the parents and grandparents and developed what would eventually going to be your course instructor. of these students. become Trent University’s Indigenous We’re going to cover a lot of material “If you are looking for role Environmental Studies Program. this term, so let’s get started.’ Now, models,” he found himself saying, While Trent continued to show before I went into that class, I “look to the elders that are here now. interest in Prof. Longboat, he returned prepared myself the way Jake told me Look to your grandmothers and to York University for his Ph.D. He to. And so all of a sudden, it was just grandfathers. Be like them. Be like the was teaching part-time there—and like one big picture unfolded before ones who are steadfast in preserving had received a job offer to teach at me, and all I did was just describe the our language and culture. They are the McMaster University—when Professor picture of how it was.… And afterward, real treasure for us.” David Newhouse (chair of the nobody moved. Nobody moved. And Afterwards, returning to his Indigenous Studies Department) called I thought ‘wow, there’s something day-to-day life, Prof. Longboat soon to explain that, due to two faculty here. There’s a power to the stuff that realized that the experience had members being unable to teach, the we’re talking about.’ The next class, changed him. In 1992, after selling program was in jeopardy without Prof. we were right back at it. The same real estate for over a decade, he took Longboat’s assistance. process happened, and we just went the teaching he had boom boom boom all the way received from mentor, “Teaching is ceremony. through, and then the year Chief Jake Thomas, was over.” and performed a And teaching is sacred at the same time.” Years later, Prof. Longboat ceremony seeking hears the lessons that his guidance and direction. In 1995, Prof. Longboat once elders and educators offered coming “It was a little ceremony for again joined his mentor, delivering out of his own mouth. myself,” he recalls. “I told the Creator seminars and marking while Prof. “Here I am, almost 50 years later, that I didn’t know what it was that I Thomas lectured. In 1996, Prof. saying the exact same words my was meant to do… But that I was ready Thomas retired, leaving Prof. Longboat teacher said in those classes, in the to do it.” nervously in his stead. Once again, same classes my teacher was teaching Paths soon started to materialize. though, there was both guidance and me, decades ago. That full circle First he was hired by the Ministry ceremony. piece? That helping to explain the of Natural Resources, where he “He told me about how to traditions and knowledge in a way that carved out a position that would prepare for class, how to ask for help, accentuates and enables students to see him working with First Nations how to ask for knowledge, and how actualize their gifts and their learning? communities throughout Ontario on to ask for guidance on how and what That’s the essence of what teaching the environmental and conservation to share. I told him that I would try my is all about. It’s a light coming on. You issues that were facing them. And best.” can see the lights come on within the students when you talk to them like this. And when those lights come on, those students are transformed. They have a different perspective. They are connected. They have a sense of responsibility, a sense of purpose, and a sense of vision. And it helps them fulfill the gifts and purposes they have here on earth. Teaching is ceremony. And teaching is sacred at the same time.”
14 TRENT Magazine 48.1 TRADITIONAL TEACHINGS
Traditional teachings are provided by elders, traditional teachers and other Indigenous community members and knowledge holders in an informal setting. Bi-weekly, the First Peoples House of Learning hosts visiting elders and traditional teachers on campus to lead and participate in traditional teachings, elders round table workshops, social gatherings, and one-on-one cultural counselling. Multiple times throughout the year, elders, traditional teachers/peoples, and community members hold hands-on workshops for all students, staff and faculty members. The teachings are from various Indigenous communities and are designed to teach traditional values systems.
FIRST PEOPLES GATHERING SPACE
In the Ernest and Florence Benedict Room, also known as the First Peoples Gathering Space, students study and take part in an array of activities including ceremonies, socials, and workshops. This hub of activity is a bright and comfortable space where all are welcome.
INDIGENOUS STUDIES NOZHEM: FIRST PEOPLES PERFORMANCE SPACE
This space is a one-of-a-kind venue arranged to allow the AT TRENT audience to interact with artists and performers. Unlike a traditional Western theatre, the space is designed to or more than 50 years, Trent has incorporated host ceremonies and to nurture Indigenous oral tradition, traditional teachings and perspectives into its curricular language and knowledge. It also serves as the summer and extracurricular programming. In fact, Trent’s F home to the Centre for Indigenous Theatre from Toronto. groundbreaking leadership in Indigenous Studies dates back to our beginnings, when we became the first university TRADITIONAL AREA—TIPI AND LODGE in Canada, and only the second in North America, to establish an academic department dedicated to the study of Trent University has a sweat lodge at the Peterborough Indigenous peoples and Indigenous knowledge. It’s just one campus and a tipi at both the Peterborough and Durham – of the ways we think differently, and inspire our students to GTA campuses, which serve as space for students to learn do the same. about ceremony and cultural teachings. The tipis also act Co-founded in 1969 by Dr. Harvey McCue ’66 of the as classroom space. Students are greeted by volunteer fire Georgina Island First Nations, and Trent’s first president, keepers who are trained in cultural protocol, safety, and are Professor Tom Symons, the Indian-Eskimo Studies Program ambassadors for the space. (now known as Indigenous Studies) led the way for other programs in Canada. Trent’s incorporation of Indigenous teachings and history into the framing of its interdisciplinary academic programs, such as Canadian Studies, has been PROGRAMS OF STUDY: critical in the development of the University. Indigenous Studies (B.A.) Indigenous Environmental Studies (B.A. or B.Sc.) AANIIN, SHE:KON, TANSI, BOOZHOO, KOOLAMAALSII Indigenous Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) The First Peoples House of Learning (FPHL) is a community Business Specialization in Niigaaniiwin – The Art of of learners coming together to understand themselves, Leading each other, and the world we live within. Connecting Diploma in Foundations of Indigenous Studies for the University to local First Nations communities, FPHL Future Nursing Students provides services, support, and a home away from home Canadian Studies and Indigenous Studies (M.A.) for Indigenous students from all over the world. For non- Indigenous Studies (Ph.D.) Indigenous students, it’s a place to build awareness and to become immersed in many new and traditional cultural experiences.
TRENT Magazine 48.1 15 Shirley Williams and the Path SHARING KNOWLEDGE to Indigenous Education
AMANDA HOBBS ’11
“Do not forget your language; do not “They always claimed we didn’t searching for myself. I found it when forget who you are. No matter what have souls,” Prof. Williams recounts I was learning the language, and in they do to you in there, be strong.” of the dehumanizing staff at St Native Studies courses.” It would be some years before Joseph’s Girls’ School. “And that also These experiences have Professor Emeritus Shirley Williams made me turn to our language.” She shaped Prof. Williams’ work as an ’79 understood the weight of her explains further: “My father said, ‘If educator, as well as her advocacy for father’s words, but his guidance we didn’t have an Anishinaabe word incorporating traditional Indigenous would eventually give shape to her for a soul in our language, then we teachings into the classroom. For life’s work. Despite her residential wouldn’t have one. But we do have a her, the importance of traditional school education, Prof. Williams went word in our language, so therefore, education for Indigenous youth on to acquire several degrees and we must have a soul.’” cannot be overstated. diplomas throughout her academic Prof. Williams reflects that this If Prof. Williams’ experiences are career, to become a noted leader was the first time she began to any indication, Traditional Knowledge in Anishinaabe language teaching understand the way language could is crucial in supporting Indigenous and curriculum development, and refract her culture’s worldview. It students’ sense of themselves and to begin legitimizing traditional gave her a sense of contentment their cultures. Furthermore, since education by attaining full to know that the values of her Indigenous peoples continue to be professorship on the basis of her community could be discovered underrepresented in areas of public traditional knowledge—these among through the language she had influence, such as government numerous other achievements. been taught as a child. Over time, and media, it is crucial to use the language grew in her mind as a site classroom as a place that is “reflective of self-discovery. “I was searching of their own way of life or tradition” for something that belonged to me,
16 TRENT Magazine 48.1 Promoting the value of Traditional Knowledge directly fosters a sense of value in students, and it becomes a tool in helping realize their potential.
to empower students to achieve isolation for Indigenous students, relevant for them. The opportunity their goals and become influential who are misunderstood by formative to explore traditional Indigenous community figures. educational figures in their lives. education gives non-Indigenous Prof. Williams points to Requirements that teachers have students a sense of context, allowing suicide as a continuing problem two to three Indigenous Studies them to better serve and connect in Indigenous communities, courses on their transcripts before with Indigenous peoples. connecting this issue to a diminished qualifying is not necessarily an Prof. Williams says that this sense of self as well as a diminished adequate measure of preparedness. example also emphasizes the value of self. If Indigenous students She provides one example of necessity of discovering students’ can’t see themselves in their own a teacher who, despite following interests to determine how best learning—if people like themselves Ministry of Education requirements, to reach out to them, instead of aren’t represented in history, art, ultimately learned how to reach her approaching them with a one- language, and so on—then learning students best by taking them outside size-fits-all approach. “If you don’t ceases to be “for them.” Promoting to a nearby river where the students’ know, the students will know, and the value of Traditional Knowledge fathers had been fishing. “As they they’ll contribute. And when they directly fosters a sense of value in were walking to the lake, students contribute, they take ownership the students themselves because would point out plants and explain over what they’re learning, and it their education belongs to and the various traditional uses of them, makes them feel good.” This allows represents them as much as it educators to address the needs of does non-Indigenous students, both Indigenous students and non- Shirley Williams and the Path and it becomes a tool in helping Indigenous students approaching them realize their potential. Traditional Knowledge for the first to Indigenous Education For non-Indigenous time. students, the stakes are just When asked about other as high; apart from the few important pedagogical factors, with a high school elective Prof. Williams points to creativity under their belts, many and experiential learning. Her students encounter Indigenous approach to language instruction studies for the first time at incorporates a variety of strategies the undergraduate level. This developed over a long career, drought of formative education including games and song to leaves non-Indigenous students aid in vocabulary acquisition. poorly equipped to take up the and so the teacher was learning “When you experience something, helm for causes such as the Truth herself, and the kids were so excited it means something to you,” she and Reconciliation Commission, about that.” says. Prof. Williams also incorporates inhibiting the “calls to action” which It was only once the teacher technology where possible, using are so crucial to reconciliation. had the humility and openness to applications such as Skype to allow In particular, Prof. Williams understand that teaching could be her to teach online courses that notes that this can directly impact two-directional rather than one- reach students as far off as the Indigenous communities as non- directional—that her students could Yukon and even Mexico. Indigenous teaching graduates teach her about how best to teach Above all, she is adamant that flock to the reserves to begin their them—that the students really began “education should be fun. If you’re careers, an impact which can be to “excel in what they were learning, not having fun with education, it “devastating for teachers and also to blossom.” It was this chance makes it really difficult and you get for students.” While the teachers encounter, more than any existing discouraged.” suffer culture shock and struggle laws and regulations, that taught to connect with their students, her about how to connect with her this dynamic reinforces a cycle of students and make her teaching
TRENT Magazine 48.1 17 PIPELINE TO THE FUTURE How the Movement of Bitumen Defines Our Relationship to the Environment and Aboriginal Canadians
or what seemed like the longest As the global economy became a fact that we sent a large Canadian time, Canada was seen as a more prominent issue, Canada began delegation to Paris in November Fglobal environmental leader. promoting the health of industry over 2015, had some environmentalists We were a land of lakes, rivers, and the health of the planet. In an attempt boldly pronouncing that Canada forests—and of a people who (mostly) to maintain sustained economic was reclaiming its place as an wanted to preserve the vast tracts of growth, we’ve tried to position environmental leader. We then led the land that make up our huge nation. We ourselves as an “emerging energy charge to support limiting warming were active participants in agreements superpower,” with oil sands production to well below 2 degrees Celsius, with and accords, organizing the Montreal being a major part of the plan. 1.5 degrees Celsius as a level of global Summit (and then Protocol) on CFCs Since then, we’ve withdrawn ambition. and leading the charge at the Rio de from Kyoto, dragged our feet at other But even then, analysts wondered Janeiro Earth Summit. international conferences, and seen aloud if these bold pronouncements We were active in the negotiations an overall weakening of environmental were actually achievable. that led to the Kyoto Accord. And laws and regulations. All of which makes the issue of then… And while we had slipped to near Canadian oil pipelines a massively Well, and then we slipped. the bottom of global environmental important one—and one that has led to rankings by the middle of this current no shortage of debate. Pipelines have decade, there was always hope that dominated headlines over we would eventually rebound. The
18 TRENT Magazine 48.1 the past year: from the protests at TRENT Magazine (TM): It’s 2017. in the world and follows strict Standing Rock, to Justin Trudeau’s We have vowed to move to a more environmental laws, unless new controversial decision to move ecologically and environmentally pipelines are built, Canadians will forward on Kinder Morgan’s Trans sustainable energy future. Do we continue to rely on oil produced Mountain and Enbridge’s Line 3 need to be expanding pipelines in in foreign countries with little pipeline projects, to Donald Trump’s Canada? regard for the environment and Keystone pipeline approval (and its we will not get the full value for impact on Canadian decisions to ABE HOUSE (AH): our natural resources on the world come). Lost in this was the fact that Affordable, reliable energy is market. we’ve had a resource-extraction essential to our modern way We are looking beyond based economy since long before of life—it is the foundation of pipelines too. The current we were ever a nation. Our global our standard of living. There is energy landscape presents many economic position has always undoubtedly a growing demand opportunities for companies like Shutterstock © Sergey_R depended on pulling trees, minerals, to transition to a lower-carbon TransCanada. On a national and and oil from the ground. future fueled by cleaner energy global scale, we actively participate But just how do the expansions alternatives. However, that is going in supporting the energy shift from of Canadian pipelines affect the to take time and I think that a lot coal-fired generation to natural environmental bottom line of our of people forget that the world’s gas, nuclear and renewables. A country? Proponents argue that appetite for energy is still growing great example is in Ontario where they are the only economically at the same time. TransCanada is a key partner in the sustainable path to an eventual The reality is that the shift Bruce Power nuclear facility, which green energy future. Opponents towards a lower-carbon future, a provides one third of the province’s say that we need to make strides more sustainable future, requires power supply. We also continue to to reduce our oil consumption investment in new pipelines now. build and operate high-efficiency immediately—particularly the Consider the benefits of pipelines natural gas-fired power facilities carbon-intensive extraction of exporting Canadian gas to China, that have helped make the bitumen from the Northern oil for example. According to the province’s shift off coal possible. sands—and that we need to halt International Energy Agency, pipeline growth. And then there natural gas exported from BC- KEITH STEWART (KS): is the issue of how to properly based LNG terminals would largely If you look at the reports of the address the building of pipelines on replace coal-fired facilities in Intergovernmental Panel on Aboriginal treaty land. China. Experts believe these BC Climate Change, or even the TRENT Magazine editor LNG projects could lower annual International Energy Agency, Donald Fraser ’91 reached out to GHG emissions by as much as 176 basically what they’re saying is we a pair of alumni with very different million tonnes annually, as well as have to phase out fossil fuels by backgrounds and viewpoints for lower air pollution levels on the mid-century or soon thereafter if some answers. Abe House ’92 is an coasts of both countries. That is we want to keep warming below environmental policy advisor with an important step on the way to a two degrees—and even earlier, TransCanada Corp. Keith Stewart lower carbon future. if we want to keep warming to a ’86 is the head of Greenpeace I think it is also important that goal of 1.5 degrees. That means Canada’s climate and energy Canadians understand that our we have to stop building new campaign. We hoped to explore country currently imports almost fossil fuel infrastructure, and start how pipeline decisions would affect 570,000 barrels of oil each day building low-carbon infrastructure. our efforts towards sustainability, to feed Canadian refineries from Renewable energy, public transit environmental protection, and a countries such as Algeria, Nigeria systems. more harmonious relationship with and Venezuela—countries with Pipelines in Canada are about First Nations individuals and groups. little environmental regulation expanding access to and use of We hoped to find out where on their crude oil production. the most carbon-intensive oil we now stand as a nation. Although Canada holds the around—oil from the oil sands. third largest crude oil reserves They are taking us in the wrong
TRENT Magazine 48.1 19 “Canada has—through several meetings and agreements— stated that we will achieve an 80% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. 2050 isn’t very far away.” – Keith Stewart
direction. Some people will say that That said, ensuring we’re all TM: What do expanded pipelines— we’re not going to eliminate the prepared in the unlikely event of an and the resulting increase in use of fossil fuels immediately. They incident is part of our commitment bitumen extraction—say about are correct, but we need to start to safety. To achieve this goal, our carbon future, our attitudes making big strides today. We also TransCanada worked with local towards the Northern environment, need to have a plan for phasing out and public agencies to complete and our commitment to those operations over the coming more than 125 emergency drills and international agreements, such as decades. But the first step is to stop exercises across our network of the Paris Accord? building new pipelines. assets in 2015. AH: New pipelines are required in TM: We have seen accidents. KS: You can never eliminate order to transport oil and gas in We’ve seen leaks. We’ve become accidents. They will happen. But the safest, most efficient manner accustomed to news about spills you can make them less likely. possible. Pipeline capacity does not related to trains, tankers, and There are definitely things that we drive oil and gas production. We pipelines. How safe or unsafe are could do to make both pipelines have seen this over the last decade pipelines? and oil by rail a lot safer than they as production has continued to grow are today. But there is a financial and rail transport has filled the gap AH: Pipelines are the safest, most cost. So it becomes a trade-off of due to the lack of pipeline capacity. efficient and environmentally sorts: how safe you want it to be The reality is that the demand responsible way to transport natural and how much you’re willing to for energy continues to grow gas and petroleum products over pay. The other question is: do we worldwide and while we gradually long distances. They’re safer than actually want to do more of this shift to low-carbon sources, oil and train, truck and boat transport—a particular activity? One of the great gas continues to meet at least half of fact that is backed by independent benefits of moving away from oil, for our energy needs. Oil plays a large research. A study conducted by instance, is that you not only reduce role in our day-to-day lives. From the Fraser Institute, using data greenhouse gas emissions, but you smart phones, computers, and credit from the Transportation Safety also reduce all of the other negative cards to medical necessities such as Board and Transport Canada impacts associated with it: water stethoscopes, syringes, bandages between 2003 and 2013, concluded contamination from extraction, the and surgical supplies—all are made that pipelines are actually 4.5 risk of spills. If you’re not moving using petroleum products. times safer than rail. Meanwhile, the oil, it’s not going to spill. And, We have yet to find a way to according to the Canadian Energy really, that’s the only way you can meet all our needs with emission- Pipeline Association 2016 industry guarantee safety. less energy sources, and until then performance report, in 2015, the fossil fuels will continue to be a pipeline industry recorded a safe key part of our energy mix. So, delivery record of 99.999%. continuing to invest in reducing Ensuring that pipelines and the emissions of these fossil fuels other facilities operate safely and is paramount to our future. That’s reliably is top priority for a company why the energy sector continues like TransCanada. In 2015, we to invest billions each year to invested $1.5 billion in asset integrity generate emission-less energy and and preventative maintenance find innovative solutions to develop programs—that’s serious investment high-efficiency, lower-emitting into safety. We also invested more production techniques. than $45 million in R&D and worked It is worth noting that the vast within industry partnerships to majority (75%+) of greenhouse gas conduct research on the latest emissions in every barrel of crude oil technologies and improve industry- come from the end use of that oil wide standards that contribute to by consumers when they do things
safer and more reliable pipelines. like drive cars and fly in planes. Shutterstock © ArchonCodex
20 TRENT Magazine 48.1 Keith Stewart (right) locked to the front gate of the Kinder Morgan oil terminal in Burnaby, BC as part of a tar sands protest on October 16, 2013.
Reducing consumer demand for oil significantly over the next 10 to transit, into electrification, into wind and gas is by far the most effective 15 years. It’s simple: if we don’t do and solar, so that we can have a way to reduce GHGs. Focusing on something about our biggest source, good quality of life without frying the the production and transportation there’s really no way we’re going to planet. of energy is not an effective way achieve our 2030 target, which is of addressing global challenge of part of the Paris agreement. TM: How are Aboriginal groups/ climate change. Canada has—through several communities involved in the meetings and agreements— process of pipeline construction? Is KS: So here we run into what is stated that we will achieve an the consultative process working? basically a math problem. If you 80% reduction in greenhouse gas look at what the pollsters are saying, emissions by 2050. 2050 isn’t very AH: TransCanada recognizes and what the politicians are saying, far away. We need to start reducing that our projects and assets have the question, in essence, is: “Would our emissions now if we have any the potential to affect the lives you like to have your cake and eat hope in hitting targets. of Indigenous people in tangible it too?” And the answer from most Whether you’re looking at the ways. As such, we are committed people is, “Sure!” But when you 2030 target or the 2050 target, to building and maintaining long- actually look at the carbon math, there really is no way that expanding term relationships with Indigenous if you look at the greenhouse gas our largest source of emissions communities based on respect, emissions now from oil and gas fits or is consistent with meeting trust, open communication, and extraction and processing—so, our obligations under the Paris recognition that some of our before it ever gets to the tank of agreement. Instead, we’re deepening activities occur within traditional your car—it is the largest single our addiction to oil. territories. source in Canada. It’s more than And, just with an addiction, we Where the Crown duty to transportation, it’s more than keep telling ourselves we can stop consult arises and activities may electricity, it’s more than buildings. any time. But the reality is that it’s directly impact Aboriginal and It’s also the fastest rising source going to take a long time. And we treaty rights, TransCanada engages of greenhouse gas emissions, and have to start now. So the answer isn’t with these communities, as rights it’s projected, if we keep business building new pipelines. It’s investing holders, to ensure they have an as usual, to continue to grow those scarce resources into public understanding of the project to
TRENT Magazine 48.1 21 ABE HOUSE ’92 is a graduate of the geography and environmental science undergraduate program at Trent and earned a master’s degree in Environment Studies from Wilfrid Laurier University. Mr. House spent time undertaking research at Trent University with the Institute for Watershed Science and supported Dr. Jim Buttle as a technologist, Abe House fly fishing on the Bow River in Alberta. studying the impacts of disturbance on the hydrology of Ontario’s forests. He also worked as an make their own determinations of its commitment to the United environmental consultant for potential project impacts, and works Nations Declaration on the Rights roughly five years with Golder with communities to minimize, of Indigenous People, including the Associates supporting the energy avoid or mitigate potential impacts. right to free, prior, and informed industry. Mr. House has spent the We also seek opportunities outside consent. We now have over 120 First last eight years with TransCanada the regulatory process, for their Nations—Canadian First Nations and as an environment advisor. He was economic participation. US tribes—that have signed on to raised in the village of Lonsdale, For example, we facilitate the treaty alliance against tar sands Ontario, but calls Calgary his home. community participation in field expansion, who have said no to Mr. House spends most of his time studies and provide resources pipelines, to rail, to more tankers, away from work fly-fishing for trout to conduct Traditional Land more trucks. That’s from right across on the Bow River and the many Use studies—information that is the continent. rivers that flow from Alberta’s Rocky then incorporated into project All along these pipeline routes, Mountains. He considers himself planning and decision-making. you’ve had individual First Nations a nature lover, a conservationist The company also seeks to provide groups, regional organizations, like and an advocate for responsible business, employment and training the Union of British Columbia Indian development of energy. opportunities to the Indigenous Chiefs, or the Assembly of First communities potentially impacted by Nations of Quebec and Labrador, KEITH STEWART our projects and operations. all saying that they do not accept ’86 graduated from Ultimately, we know that decisions being made. Yet the federal Trent University respectful and long-term government is continuing to push with a B.A. in relationships with Indigenous ahead. Apparently they’re committed International communities are critical to to free prior and informed consent … Development TransCanada’s success. as long as the answer is yes. Studies. He is the head of To read recent examples That’s not respectful. Greenpeace Canada’s climate and demonstrating the company’s It’s not consistent with the energy campaign, and a part-time engagement process, visit our recommendations of the Truth faculty member at the University corporate social responsibility and Reconciliation Committee. of Toronto, where he teaches a website: http://csrreport. It’s basically the old way of doing course on energy policy and the transcanada.com/2015/society/ business, when we’d promised to environment. He has worked as an engaging-indigenous-communities. change our ways. Canadians should energy policy analyst and advocate html not accept this. As a nation, we are for the last 15 years, and on committed to these principles or successful campaigns to phase out KS: There’s a fascinating cognitive we’re not. And if the government is coal-fired power plants and enact dissonance from the federal going to say, “Okay, we’re ignoring a Green Energy Act in Ontario. His government on this. If you look at that principle in this case,” then they work at Greenpeace is focused on the Pan-Canadian Framework on should be honest about it and then stopping the expansion of the tar Clean Growth and Climate Change see if they still have the support to sands and accelerating the transition that was signed in December, go forward. to a more equitable and sustainable there’s a paragraph there where energy system. the federal government reiterates
22 TRENT Magazine 48.1 Inset: Barbara Wall (Moktthewenkwe, Waawaashkesh Odoodem), is a member of the Deer clan. CELEBRATING PHILANTHROPIC SUPPORT OF INDIGENEOUS William B. Reid Scholarship Honours Indigeneity STUDENTS & PROGRAMS and Indigenous Knowledge
Donors provide perpetual support CARVING A PATH: In 1999 worked with the community to of Trent’s Indigenous students and Trent University launched raise awareness of the need for programs through the following Canada’s first Indigenous water protection, conservation, endowments: Studies Ph.D. Program, and caretaking. Both times, I was inspiring people like able to build relationships and Aditya Jha Indigenous Studies Award Barbara L. Wall to join this make great strides forward in Aditya Jha Indigenous Studies Bursaries extraordinary community my research,” explained Barbara of scholars that continue Wall. Catherine Chiu Indigenous Bachelor of to make a difference in “G’chi miigwech. A big Education Award our world. Ms Wall’s research, It Flows thank you to William B. Reid,” says Dr. Laura Weintraub Award from the Heart: Bodwewaadmiikwewag Ms Wall. “The use and development Five Sisters Ph.D. Awards Nibi Waawiindmowin, focuses on the of new and culturally-based research Gilbert Monture/Native Studies Fund restoration of Anishinaabe women’s methodologies are something the Trent John Bernard Scholarship water knowledge and practices Indigenous Studies Ph.D. program is within the relocated Bodwewaadmii known for and puts the department on Jon and Shelagh Grant Prize for Inuit (Potawatomi) communities in Ontario, the cutting edge of our discipline. It is Students Wisconsin, Michigan, Kansas, and my intention to combine my academic Malcolm Montgomery Memorial Bursary Oklahoma. background in civil engineering with Malcolm Montgomery Indigenous With the support of the William B. traditional ecological knowledge of Studies Fund Reid Scholarship, Ms. Wall has been able water to create collaborative solutions Morton Graduate Scholarship in to travel to the communities essential to First Nations’ water issues, and Indigenous Studies to her research and significant in the protect this valuable resource.” Norma & Lloyd Parnall Bursary advancement of Indigenous studies. Ms. Wall plans to defend her Ph.D. “Being present in the community is an dissertation in the summer of 2017 and Patricia & David Morton Indigenous important aspect of the Anishinaabeg hopes to secure a position with Trent’s Studies Undergraduate Award research methodology, it builds and Indigenous Studies program. Quaker Oats of Canada Graduate enriches relationships. These reciprocal In the words of Prof. Shirley Scholarship in Indigenous Studies relationships are the foundation of Williams, elder and professor emeritus, William B. Reid Graduate Scholarship knowledge sharing, or ‘data collection’ “My mother used to say, ’What are you which is a large component of my going to tell the Creator when you Thank you to our research. Last year I met with Elders and leave this world about what you have generous supporters. Knowledge Holders where I spent time done for your community?’” on the land, and participated in water- Please join us to help unleash a Help support Indigenous students and related practices and ceremonies. I also Trent student’s potential and make their programs today by contacting Donna participated in the Pokagon Potawatomi research become a reality. Doherty at 1-855-698-7368 ext. 7208 Community’s water walk where I trentu.ca/give or Lorelei Wilkinson at 1-855-698-7368 ext. 6025.
TRENT Magazine 48.1 23 PHILANTHROPY MATTERS RESEARCH THAT HAS IMPACT
#1 IN CANADA FOR SCHOLARSHIPS & BURSARIES Maclean’s Magazine University Rankings, primarily undergraduate category David McCann David
A letter from Deborah (Debbie) Jenkins ’00 Trent University Ph.D. Candidate, Environmental and Life Sciences
For seven years I lived and worked in Critical to Arctic conservation, sea The list is big! It includes: the Arctic. A remote and majestic place ice acts as a platform for wildlife to • the National Sciences and Engineering of rugged landscapes and seemingly breed, raise their young, to hunt, and Research Council Scholarship; endless sea ice. It inspired a strong to rest. For caribou and muskoxen, it • the Queen Elizabeth II Graduate connection to the north, and the is a bridge between islands, allowing Scholarship in Science and Technology; people and wildlife that are so deeply movement to calving grounds, food, • the Edwin William and Irene Elizabeth entwined. and escape from severe weather. The Curtin Scholarship; But the fabric of the north is loss of sea ice could impede these • the French American Charitable Trust; quickly unravelling. Wildlife is declining movements and initiate a cascade of • the Symons Trust Fund for Canadian … the climate on a path of unparalleled unprecedented effects. Studies; warming. For my Ph.D. I have reached • Dean’s Ph.D. Scholarships; and My Ph.D. research at Trent into a technical toolbox, using some • the Northern Scientific Training University is aimed squarely at both of the most innovative tools at our Program. these issues. I am studying two disposal—satellite telemetry, remote In combination, they have allowed legendary creatures of Canada’s north sensing, genetics, habitat and species me to travel north for field work, to —caribou and muskoxen—focusing distribution models, and climate analyze the hundreds of samples I use on their ecology and the influence of models—to better understand the for genetic and dietary analysis, to climate change. ecology of these species and their participate in multiple courses here and The Arctic is truly a crucible of future in this changing environment. abroad, and to advance my research, change. It is warming at twice the rate It is the support of many agencies my collaborations and my knowledge. of the rest of the world and the sea ice and sponsors that allows me to use As a northern scientist, I am intent is thinning and retreating. these powerful tools and to realize my on making a difference. Thank you for research goals. helping me do that. Sincerely, Debbie
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The academic heart of Trent University, the iconic Bata Library, is set to undergo an amazing revitalization and transformation starting this spring. Every part of Trent University depends on the library: it’s a place of discovery, offering the extraordinary riches of past learning, where students and faculty collaborate to create new knowledge for the scholars of the future. Please help revitalize the heart of Trent University today at trentu.ca/give
24 TRENT Magazine 48.1 A PERSONAL ACT OF RECONCILIATION
PHILANTHROPY MATTERS The Louise & Larry Parkes Indigenous Graduate Studies Bursary
“I needed to do something,” Louise Their mother’s wisdom and Ms. Parkes has enjoyed her Parkes answered when asked about teachings continue to have an impact career in business and political life in the creation of the Louise & Larry today. Mr. Parkes, a Trent University Oshawa, Ontario. She is co-founder Parkes Indigenous Graduate Studies Indigenous Studies and History and president of Parmac, a B2B Call Bursary. “My mother, my brother graduate, worked as a high school Centre that is celebrating 25 years Larry, a lifelong commitment to social history and economics teacher in in business. She is a well-respected justice, and my education at Trent Toronto for 35 years. In 1988 he had community leader and a current Trent David McCann David University influenced this personal act the opportunity to introduce and Durham History major. of reconciliation.” teach Native Studies at the grade 13 “I have been inspired by some Ms. Parkes and her brother level at Cedarbrae C.I. in Scarborough. excellent professors, like Dr. Don Larry Parkes ’74 were brought up by This popular course offered students a McCaskill, Dr. Robert Wright ’79 and a strong mother who was widowed unique opportunity to learn about the Dr. Marion Boulby. Undoubtedly when they were very young. From history and cultures of the Indigenous there is a multitude of reasons that an early age, the Parkes siblings peoples of Canada, and also Canada’s have influenced my personal act of remember their mother describing history and development with the reconciliation. I know that it is just the Canada as a three-legged stool with inclusion of the diverse perspectives beginning and reconciliation will take British Isles, French, and Indigenous of the Indigenous peoples of Canada. a long time, but we as settlers need legs—all needed for balance. She In 2010, Mr. Parkes introduced an to recognize the impact that we have placed a particular emphasis on Indigenous Studies course at the had on the Indigenous communities. respect for all of the Indigenous grade 11 level at Forest Hill C.I. My personal act of reconciliation is peoples of Canada, explaining He is currently advocating for the in honour of the important work and that their knowledge, history, and development of a compulsory recommendations of the Truth and diverse cultures must be known and Indigenous Studies course for all Reconciliation Commission,” she says. celebrated. Ontario high school students.
OVER 500 First Nations, Métis and Inuit students attend Trent University. This is about 6.3% of the student population. ABOUT 3.5% of the employees at Trent are First Nations, Métis or Inuit.
TRENT Magazine 48.1 25 A WORLD WE HAVE LOST
The following excerpt is from Dr. Bill Waiser’s A World We Have Lost: Saskatchewan before 1905 (Fifth House Publishers 2016), winner of the Governor General’s Literary Award for Non-Fiction. The book complements Dr. Waiser’s award- winning centennial history of the province, Saskatchewan: A New History.
Chapter Twelve, “If Something is Not Done,” examines the reach of the Métis commercial bison hunt from Red River across the northern Great Plains into the future province of Saskatchewan in the mid-nineteenth century. This annual summer hunt often brought the Métis into conflict with the Sioux. Many Métis families also began living year-round in the interior, in places like Wood Mountain and the Cypress Hills, in order to have better access to the dwindling bison herds. The bison hunt was the mainstay of the Red River settlement economy in the mid-nineteenth century. PROVINCIAL ARCHIVES OF SASKATCHEWAN S-MN-B 3118
26 TRENT Magazine 48.1 he Métis were already well and then fired across the saddle into removed. Dressing and tanning the positioned to intensify the the beast. He then rode after another skin, to make it soft and marketable, bison hunt. By the end of animal and kept shooting and killing took several days of painstaking Tthe third decade of the until any remaining bison were too labour. They also dried meat in long nineteenth century, these “movable scattered to pursue. The sounds of strips in the sun and either tied it up in armies,” as HBC Red River clerk the slaughter saturated the air: the bales or pounded and mixed it with fat Alexander Ross described them, were highpitched cries of the hunters, to produce pemmican that was then entering the plains in force. In 1840 the rapid pounding of the hooves of poured into bison leather bags. At alone, 620 men, 650 women, and the bison and horses, the constant night, there was feasting, storytelling, 360 children left Pembina as part of blasts of gunfire, the whinnying of the and singing to the accompaniment of a 1,200-cart caravan. This number horses with each kill and redirection, the fiddle. of participants was not simply a and the bleating of the bison and After several successful hunts, reflection of the growing population the heavy, throaty breathing of those the heavily loaded carts, each carrying at Red River but an indication of dying on the blood-soaked plains. the meat and robes of eight-to-ten how many people were involved Dust rose and enveloped the scene, bison, trundled back to Red River, in the summer or dried meat hunt, adding a surreal quality to the killing usually in late summer, where the including priests, who regularly held field. It filled the eyes, nostrils, and Métis sold or traded the products mass and performed other Roman mouths of the hunters, mixed with the of the hunt and paid off their debts. Catholic rites on the trail. Ross, who taste and smell of blood and shit. Their absence meant they had less tagged along with the Métis in 1840, The Métis were precision time to devote to their subsistence provided one of the best accounts marksmen. But what made them so farms. But it did provide a dependable of the organization and operation efficient during the hunt was their living, something that eluded those of the hunt. At the rendezvous, the specially trained horses, known who suffered through repeated assembled hunters elected a president as buffalo runners. They had also crop failures at Red River. The time or chief and twelve councillors, perfected the reloading of their spent together on the hunt on the usually senior, experienced men. muzzle-loaders on the fly. With a few open plains, moreover, instilled in They, in turn, decided the rules that balls of shot in his mouth and his front the Red River Métis a strong sense were to be followed out on the open coat pockets filled with powder and of identity, of being a nation with its
Shutterstock.com © BG Smith Shutterstock.com plains, particularly during the hunt. more shot, each hunter frantically own distinctive culture and traditions. Captains were also chosen by ten poured a handful of powder down With this identity came a feeling hunters voluntarily lining up behind the barrel of the gun after it was of independence, that they were prospective leaders. Where these discharged, spit in a ball, and then no longer beholden to the HBC procedures came from is not known; whacked the stock of the gun against but could decide what was in their they could be either Indian or French his hip. The rapidity with which they best interests. This confidence as a in origin. were able to fire caused their gun separate people was further boosted Led by a guide carrying a flag on barrels to overheat, sometimes with by their successful skirmishes with a staff, the cart caravan, sometimes unfortunate consequences. Spills, the Sioux. They had come to see several miles long, slowly worked bruises, and sprains were also quite themselves as “masters of the plains its way southwest across the plains. common. wherever they might choose to Advance scouts searched for bison, The dead bison were butchered march.” as well as kept a careful watch for on the spot. Working quickly because the Sioux. There is no record of any of the hot summer temperatures, BILL WAISER ’71 Métis camp being routed; never the hunters and their families more than a few scouts were ever removed the skin, tongue, back fat Alumnus Bill Waiser is a distinguished professor emeritus and former A.S. lost. Once a herd was located, camp or depouillé, meat, tendons, and any Morton Research Chair at the University was immediately set up nearby and other serviceable body parts, before of Saskatchewan. He has published everything readied. The chief led the abandoning the carcass to the wolves, over a dozen books, including Loyal hunters out to the herd, and it was coyotes, and birds. Back at camp, the till Death: Indians and the North-West only on his shout that they charged less glamorous but real work began. Rebellion, with Blair Stonechild, a finalist the startled bison. Each hunter guided Women, sometimes with help from for the 1997 Governor General’s literary his horse towards a particular animal, children, meticulously scraped the award for non-fiction. dropped the reins once close enough, robes to ensure that any flesh was
TRENT Magazine 48.1 27 CANADIAN CITIES: CONFRONTING A CHALLENGE Taxing service users generates revenue and shows potential to change behaviour
HARRY KITCHEN, professor emeritus, Economics
local tax. Property is immovable so Perhaps the following example best it cannot escape the tax, it is fair illustrates this. based on the benefits received from In most large cities, roads and local government services, and transportation absorb between 20% revenues are stable and predictable. and 30% of all property tax revenue. Nevertheless, it is relatively inelastic This is a service whose funding could (does not grow automatically as be removed from the property tax the economy grows), highly visible, base. In its place, it could be funded and politically contentious almost from road prices or road charges everywhere. This high visibility and (sometimes called congestion frequent opposition to increases prices). Efficient road prices offer ever have Canada’s largest in property tax rates means that a number of advantages. They are cities faced so much spending on necessary services is widely recognized as an effective uncertainty when it comes N always vulnerable to cutbacks and travel demand management tool for to their future fiscal sustainability. restrictions. reducing congestion, pollution, and Changing demographics, increased A mix of taxes would take other external costs of driving. They income inequality, the impact pressure off the property tax and give can influence all dimensions of travel of climate change and federal cities more flexibility in responding to choice: trip frequency, destination, immigration policies, growing social local conditions such as changes in service needs, and deteriorating the economy, evolving demographics infrastructure will push municipal and expenditure needs, changes in expenditure needs well beyond the political climate, and other factors. anything experienced in the recent Cities would be in a better position past. When this is combined with a to achieve revenue growth, revenue revenue base that is largely controlled stability, and fairness in the tax impact by provincial legislation and has on local residents. Lower property remained virtually unchanged for taxes would greatly assist those who Shutterstock © Light Poet decades (user fees and property taxes are asset rich (high property values) travel mode, time of day or week, being the mainstay), concerns over but income poor, an outcome that route, and so on. To the extent that fiscal sustainability are becoming a would make it easier for some people traffic demand is managed, cost major issue. One remedy to remove to remain in their homes without the pressures on a city’s budget are this increasing gap and one that is heavy burden of high property taxes. lowered, because traffic-related gaining traction among many city Which new tax or taxes? There costs are reduced and infrastructure officials, if not the public at large, are a number that could be used (of demands lessened. Furthermore, is the importance of introducing course, the province would have if revenues are dedicated to public legislation that would permit cities to permit municipalities to adopt a transit and roads, there is almost to expand their local tax base. This new tax which in itself is likely to be certain to be more public acceptance action would bring Canadian cities in an impediment, at least in the short for funding the service than if it were line with many large US and European run). Some taxes would be easier to funded from general revenues. Other counterparts. implement and likely more politically charges that could be used to finance At the outset, it should be acceptable, especially if the tax is on roads and that are used in some noted that advocating for new taxes the user of the service with revenues countries include a municipal gas tax, is not to diminish the importance earmarked for that service. Taxes of a municipal motor vehicle registration of the property tax. The property this sort achieve two objectives—one, fee, and dynamic parking fees that tax has been around for decades. the capacity to generate revenue vary by time of day and location, but It is a good tax for municipal and two, the potential to change these are likely to be less effective in governments because it satisfies many behaviour so that local resources changing behaviour and generating characteristics of a fiscally sound are not wasted or squandered. revenue.
28 TRENT Magazine 48.1 Other taxes that are strong candidates for large cities include a municipal income tax and/or a municipal sales tax. Unlike road pricing, these taxes are UNLEASH not on users of a specific service. Instead, they are on THE POTENTIAL income earned or money spent with revenues going into general funds, just like the property tax revenue. They have the potential to generate significant sums of revenue and are preferred to property taxes as a funding source for local services that are primarily income redistributional in nature, such as social housing and social services. These taxes are easy to administer as long as they are piggybacked onto existing provincial taxes. As well, they are less regressive than the property tax in their impact on taxpayers. They would permit cities to capture revenue from commuters and visitors who are the beneficiaries of many local services but do not currently pay for them because they are funded DONORS UNLEASH by the property tax. It would also give cities greater flexibility and breadth in determining their own tax THE STUDENT CENTRE structure and allow them to benefit from growth in the economy. For any new tax, however, it is critical that the locally elected council be responsible for setting the local tax rate. This, the literature tells us, leads to greater ANNOUNCING… accountability, enhanced transparency, and improved THE NEWEST MEMBERS OF OUR decision making in the ways in which municipalities spend their money. PRESIDENT’S CIRCLE One concern with any new tax, it must be noted, is its cross-border impact. Higher tax rates in one city could lead to jobs relocating to neighbouring Ken Hartwick ’81 Don Tapscott ’66 jurisdictions, people moving to a lower tax area, and Gavin Marshall ’76 & Ana P. Lopes people shopping in neighboring municipalities. The best way to minimize this problem, as the empirical literature Greg Piasetzki ’72 Martha Wilder ’74 has concluded, is to implement these taxes in large E.W. Bickle Foundation cities and large metropolitan and regional areas, making Thank you for your generous support of the it more unattractive and costly for individuals to initiate an activity intended to avoid the tax. These taxes are new Student Centre, opening Fall of 2017. unlikely to be appropriate for small and medium-sized There is still time to support the Student Centre. municipalities where residents and businesses can easily cross municipal borders to relocate, do their shopping The President’s Circle recognizes donors who have made contributions of between $100,000 to $249,999. or search for work. For these municipalities, they may have to stick with the traditional revenue tools plus some provincial grant assistance for fiscally distressed areas. trentu.ca/give
Harry Kitchen is Professor Emeritus in the Economics Department at Trent University. Over the past 30 years, he has completed more than 100 articles, reports, studies, and books on a range of issues relating to local government expenditures, finance and governance in Canada and abroad.
TRENT Magazine 48.1 29 CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF CHAMPLAIN COLLEGE
“Over the decades, Champlain College has made an impact on thousands of people. During our milestone anniversary we celebrate this strong and proud community by reflecting on our history, but more importantly, looking to where we are headed next.” – Melanie Sedge ’04, head of Champlain College
MELANIE SEDGE ’04
hamplain’s 50th Anniversary The epitome of past meeting welcomed the students that will make celebrations were designed present and future was the High Table up the next 50. Cto combine history with the Dinner during Orientation Week. New The college used the annual everyday functions of the college. students were invited to their first homecoming weekend to gather The 50th year is a time to showcase formal dinner in the Great Hall, along many dignified members of the the history of the college through with all of the orientation leaders they Champlain community from the alumni reflection and interaction, had spent the week getting to know. last 50 years. Past staff, masters, while emphasizing the involvement of They were able to step into Champlain dons, student leaders, faculty, and the current students and a look ahead history as they were starting their alumni gathered along with Prof. to the next 50 years. The college future. Just like in the original formal Symons at an intimate lunch in the office team worked to present events Great Hall dinners, the students wore Seasoned Spoon, where memories that would intertwine the past and gowns and processed into the dining and old stories filled the air. Following present, involving direct connections hall in front of the High Table full of the mandate of the anniversary between alumni and current students, dons, college office staff, faculty, celebrations, current students and adding a 50th Anniversary flare to alumni, and Professor THB Symons. attended the luncheon, where they every piece of the year that student Prof. Symons gave a speech that was connected with many of the people leaders, such as College Cabinet, truly a piece of history during which that made Champlain College what already do so well. he celebrated the past 50 years and they know it to be today. Following the luncheon was the dedication of the new Alumni Garden, located at the Thom Tower entrance to the college. Thanks to the generous donations from Champlain alumni, the college office could restore the entrance garden to its glory. A reunion welcoming all members of the Champlain community took place in the afternoon of the Head of the Trent festivities. The last five decades were all represented with Alumni Garden Dedication October 1, 2016 vibrant conversation and reflection. Left to right: College Head Melanie Sedge ’04; Director of Alumni Affairs Lee Hays ’91; Cabinet President Dorcas Mensah; President Leo Groake; Bob Taylor-Vaisey ’67
30 TRENT Magazine 48.1 A silent auction showcasing current student photography of the architecture of Champlain took place during the reunion, with the proceeds going UNLEASH directly to the student artists. THE POTENTIAL Champlain College has a reputation of being steeped in tradition. Some of these traditions started 50 years ago, and new ones begin every year. College Weekends have always been an opportunity to showcase Champlain’s history and also a time to join in the community to create new traditions—be it a new Pigbowl or Broomball team, or an event that becomes an instant classic. The first College Weekend of the year, Harvest Weekend, was an opportunity for Champlain to honour devoted members of staff and directly intertwine current students and alumni. The weekend, held in the middle of October, started with a breakfast in Alumni House to gather past and present students and staff before a long day of sport and fun. A new tradition was started in the Alumni vs. All Star Pigbowl game. Pigbowl, a touch football tournament, is a staple of Harvest Weekend. Teams were picked schoolyard style by captains Noranne Flower and Paul Wilson. It was a tough fought game, ending in a tie! Harvest Weekend was also a time to honour another iconic member of the Champlain community, DONORS UNLEASH Noranne Flower. A celebration was held in the Ceilie on Saturday afternoon to honour Ms. Flower and THE STUDENT CENTRE thank her for her 30 years of service within Champlain College. Flower, who retired in 2015, was surrounded by previous students and colleagues in an afternoon of laughs, love, and appreciation. Continued on page 32. KEN HARTWICK ’81 President’s Circle Donor
In the fall, after Head of the Trent, Champlain hosted “I believe in the potential of Trent students the Harvest Festival. Like most events, it was an excuse to drink a lot of beer, but there was also to shape the future and reshape the world dancing in the Great Hall. In the winter Champlain into a better place.” celebrated with Bon Temps (“The Order of Good Cheer!”) with endless hockey games and other winter sports. We also had a spring formal, which trentu.ca/give gave everyone an opportunity to shave, put on nice clothes, and act like adults! All of these events were commemorated in our annual Champlain Year Books, which bring back wonderful memories as I turn the pages. – Maile Loweth Reeves ’79
TRENT Magazine 48.1 31 CHAMPLAIN COLLEGE
L’ORDRE DU BON TEMPS
When Champlain College was first opened in 1966, a group As Champlain College celebrates its 50th anniversary, of young men were the first to inhabit Symons campus. something that is near and dear to all Champlainers The winter of 1967 was cold and these men were isolated deserves celebration as well: tradition. For as long as the at the North End of Peterborough. In this difficult time, historic towers have been standing on Symons Campus, Champlain’s innovative forefathers took a lesson from Champlain students have been embracing community and Samuel de Champlain himself and celebrated the first ever the crisp winter spirit by celebrating L’Ordre du Bon Temps. L’Ordre du Bon Temps. Over the years the events of Bon Temps Weekend have In 1607 on his third journey, Samuel de Champlain changed, but what always remains is Champlain students founded L’Ordre du Bon Temps to raise spirits among his coming together for fun and friendly competition on the companions during the cold winter months through “fine snowy grounds next to the picturesque riverbank. What foods and foolish ceremony.” Champlainers adopted this started with chariot races through the snow has developed mid-winter celebration and it continues to this day. into a broomball tournament hosting 16 teams, running for trentchamplain.wordpress.com two days straight on the homemade rinks in K/L Field.
REFLECTING ON BON TEMPS 1970 By Ken Tilley ’68
Part of the annual Champlain College L’Ordre du Bon Temps winter carnival in January 1970 included a hall-decorating contest, and our group on the third floor of D block was determined to win it. We all put aside any thoughts of University Archives Trent studying for the better part of a week and scrounged supplies for the task, including 35 pounds of flour, 100 feet of wire, lots of newsprint (courtesy of the Peterborough Examiner) and dozens of coat hangers, in addition to rolls of masking tape and many cans of spray paint. Together we built a convincingly creepy bat cave, which won us first prize and bragging rights for the weekend (and a good pick-up line to invite girls over to see our handiwork). The five victorious floormates were Paul Mackey, Ken Tilley ’68, Mike Ionson, John Campbell and Jim Dolan.
32 TRENT Magazine 48.1 Bon Temps is a weekend that continually brings back recent alumni to see old friends and cheer on their team, maybe even join in on a broomball game or two. Every year, UNLEASH this weekend and tournament is a celebration of the history THE POTENTIAL of the college. The 50th anniversary of Bon Temps was spearheaded by the current students and cabinets; everyone appreciated how special it is to participate in a tradition that has been happening for 50 years. A retelling of history through photographs, old yearbooks, and reflections from (Bon Temps 2016). (Bon Temps alumni was displayed in Alumni House for students to enjoy while they tried to escape the cold. Additionally, a slideshow of photos past and present allowed current students to take in the roots of their beloved weekend. As the year in Champlain continues and the students Johny Warkentin ’11 Johny Warkentin celebrate their Golden Year Formal, the 50th Anniversary spirit burns through each moment. The year has been a time to reflect on the past and look to the future. At each event this year, videographer Elijah Gwayumba has captured reflections and 50th birthday wishes. A video compiling all of these moments will be a lasting piece of this special year and become another great piece of Champlain’s history. All information regarding the 50th Anniversary, including photos from the events and (in the future) the video compilation, is available on the dedicated website: champlain50.com. Here’s to the next 50 years! Continued on page 35. DONORS UNLEASH THE STUDENT CENTRE GAVIN MARSHALL ’76 President’s Circle Donor
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TRENT Magazine 48.1 33 We’re better, together.
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Underwritten by Industrial Alliance Insurance & Financial Services Inc. iA Financial Group is a business name and trademark of Industrial Alliance Insurance and Financial Services Inc. In my second year I decided to be an ISW staff member and join College Cabinet for a second year. On move-in day, I moved a nice boy in C24—little did I know I had just met my future husband. We started dating after reconnecting as cabinet members and have been together ever since. During our time in Champlain we did ISW together, College Cabinet together, and even worked in the college office together. We made so many great memories, UNLEASH especially with Noranne Flower, truly the heart and THE POTENTIAL soul of Champlain. We both value her friendship, now and forever. We love Champlain College so much that we even came back to get married here, knowing there was no better place to celebrate our love than the place where it all started. Champlain will always be a very special place to both of us, and we are definitely Champlain till we die! – Sarah (VanHeuvelen) Cassidy ’05 and Jonathan Cassidy ’06
DONORS UNLEASH THE STUDENT CENTRE GREG PIASETZKI ’72 President’s Circle Donor Memorial Bench Dedication “I believe we should all give back, when the An advocate for sport and student leadership during his opportunity presents itself, to both the larger society time as master of Champlain College, David Glassco was in which we live and to the organizations and honoured during Harvest Weekend with the unveiling institutions that shaped and supported us. For me, of a memorial bench situated on the river bank in K/L Trent University, was one of those influences.” Field. In his time as master, Mr. Glassco walked his dog through K/L Field and spent a lot of time in the outdoor space behind the college. A bench that faces the river and trentu.ca/give iconic bridge is now a constant memory of this beloved member of Champlain College. On October 15, a moving dedication was given through a beautiful speech by Mr. PSB Wilson, with Glassco’s family in attendance. The mark he left on Champlain College will be forever remembered.
TRENT Magazine 48.1 35 JOIN THE The CanadianCONVERSATION Difference Project
Trent-led project represents unprecedented online conversation about our country
anadians across the country are participating in Soldiers take to the streets of Montréal during the 1970 October Crisis. the Canadian Difference project, an initiative of Cthe School for the Study of Canada at Trent, which is something they are wondering about, or have an opinion engages people in an unprecedented national conversation on, they can help build interest in that topic,” she said. about what makes Canada … Canada. She is encouraging anyone with an opinion to share A bilingual, interactive website, launched in July 2016, to join the conversation. “Joining in is an opportunity to Canadian Difference provides resources and a forum for the help shape something positive,” she said. “The more people discussion, which explores how Canada has succeeded, or participate, the more the site becomes a forum for thinking failed, at accommodating diversity across the country. and discussion, and that’s important.” canadiandifference.ca “The idea was to develop a constructive conversation that builds understanding of how the process of mutual Upcoming Hot Topic: accommodation works,” said Dr. Heather Nicol, acting director of the School for the Study of Canada at Trent, Acceptance and Belonging who heads up the Trent team managing the project. “How Overview: The debate about terrorism and extremism can examples of successful accommodation help us to is ultimately only about a tiny number of people. move forward in addressing important issues, such as our Yet underneath all of these debates are the lives and relationships with First Nations and new Canadians?” experiences of many Canadians. In the aftermath of almost The Trent team is comprised of an interdisciplinary 15 years of the “war on terror,” do Muslim Canadians feel mix of faculty, staff, and graduate students from several they belong and are accepted in Canada? If so, why? If departments across the university. “The grad students, in not, what can be done? Would an understanding about particular, are playing an active role in the project, from the success of mutual accommodation in other areas assisting with topic selection, facilitating the discussions, of Canadian history help here? Are there lessons to be and managing social media,” said Professor Nicol. learned, for example, from how Canada has accommodated Currently, there are seven distinct online discussions tensions between English and French Canadians, or in taking place, based on one of three major themes: First how Canada adopted a more open and accepting form of Nations, Muslims in Canada, and Canada in the World. citizenship and immigration since the 1960s? The discussions are moderated by subject matter experts, influential thinkers, and key community members. Expert Insights: “With the help of our amazing moderators we have had some very interesting conversations, which have been Momin Rahman both engaging and enlightening,” Prof. Nicol said. “The Professor of Sociology, discussions around Muslims and gender, as well as First Trent University Nations and the law, have been spectacular.” My academic work focuses on the The Trent team is currently working on expanding difficulties and pathways for LGBTQ the project beyond the website forum, including an Muslims to be accepted both by the online course to engage people in the theme of mutual mainstream LGBTQ community and the mainstream Muslim accommodation, as well as workshops and conferences. community. This is a very specific example of the broader Prof. Nicol points out that the Canadian Difference question of belonging and acceptance in our multicultural, project provides an opportunity for Canadians, from all multi-difference world. This broader issue has two major backgrounds, to pose particular questions on a salient dimensions and the first is whether dominant norms exist, topic, and to interact with subject matter experts and fellow both as culture and identity, and how that impacts the Canadians about ways that things can be improved. “If there abilities of minorities to have their experiences taken as valid and whether mutual accommodation is a reality for minorities. There is a second issue, however, and that is how minority groups relate and accommodate each other, as illustrated in the focus of my research, which is exploring whether two different minority groups can learn to accept
36 TRENT Magazine 48.1 each other in a way that provides belonging to both groups for those who live at the intersection of faith and LGBTQ identities. Belonging is also an issue of security, UNLEASH not in the sense of policing violence, but in the social THE POTENTIAL sense of having a confidence in your own identity and how others respect that, accept it, acknowledge your specific differences and challenges, and thus help you to belong to a wider, diverse community.
Amira Elghawaby Photo: Ana Grilllo Communications director, The National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM) I’ve always felt that I belonged to Canada. But I haven’t always felt accepted. Why is there this disconnect and what does it mean when Canadians, or newly arrived immigrants and refugees, feel marginalized or discriminated against by their fellow citizens? What does exclusion mean for our Indigenous brothers and sisters—the original inhabitants of this beautiful land? As we commemorate Canada’s 150th anniversary, it’s important for us to explore these questions. Our DONORS UNLEASH sense of belonging and acceptance are at the heart of nurturing successful communities. There is much work to do. Unfortunately, many Canadians have expressed bias THE STUDENT CENTRE against various groups in Canada, and many Canadians do acknowledge that discrimination against particular members of our communities exists. With growing anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim sentiment being reported around the Western world, DON TAPSCOTT ’66 Canada must continue to lead by example. Thousands of Canadians opened their hearts to welcome Syrian refugees & ANA P. LOPES over the past year—showcasing the very best of what it President’s Circle Donor means to be living in a country that values diversity and believes that together, we can all prosper. “I came to Trent because I wanted a personalized Canadians have also often pushed back against and interactive learning experience. Today, I want hatred, showing targeted communities that they stand with Trent students to be the co-creators of their own them. We saw this in Peterborough, Ontario, following intellectual capacity.” the firebombing of a mosque in the fall of 2015. The local church and wider community came together to raise funds to rebuild the mosque. The local synagogue opened its doors to the congregation so it would have a place to pray trentu.ca/give in the meantime. In other words, we’ve got this, Canada. At least I hope so. canadiandifference.ca
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38 TRENT Magazine 48.1 EVENTS
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 8, 4-5:30 pm, Trent Durham A Journey of Learning: Life Lessons from Business and Philanthropy UNLEASH To celebrate International Women’s Day, join students, alumni THE POTENTIAL and local community members to hear Ms. Kathleen Taylor ’16 share her insights from a career in leadership and philanthropy. Register online: https://mycommunity.trentu.ca/katietaylor
TUESDAY, MARCH 14 to THURSDAY, MARCH 16 4-6 pm each day, Peterborough, Bagnani Hall Traill College Gilbert Ryle Lecture Series Prof. Catherine Wilson: Life According to Nature. For info: 705-748-1011 ext. 7166 or [email protected]
SATURDAY, MARCH 25, 6 pm, Peterborough, Champlain College Great Hall 10 Years of Forensic Science Graduates Reunion Celebration Join alumni, current students, faculty, and special guests for an enjoyable evening and opportunity to reconnect with classmates. Cash bar and hors d’oeuvres. Please RSVP before March 1 to [email protected]. For info: 705-748-1011 ext. 7446 or [email protected] DONORS UNLEASH FRIDAY, MARCH 31 to SATURDAY, APRIL 1, Peterborough 41st Annual Team Trend Hockey Reunion THE STUDENT CENTRE Reunion Activities: Friday, 7 pm hockey, Kinsmen Civic Centre, Social with refreshments to follow at the Traill College pub, The Trend. Saturday, 2 pm hockey at Kinsmen Civic Centre, Banquet Saturday night at Trend Pub (cocktails 6 pm, E.W. BICKLE FOUNDATION dinner 7 pm). Registration required: https://mycommunity.trentu.ca/TeamTrend. President’s Circle Donor For info: John Kennedy ’98, [email protected] “Our family foundation, supports important WEDNESDAY, APRIL 12, 6:30-9 pm, Toronto initiatives in education and is proud to contribute An Ideas That Change the World event, Celebrating to the new Student Centre. Through our long 50 Years of Trent Alumni association with the University, we have seen how Hosted by Trent alumnus Stephen Stohn ‘66 and Linda Schuyler, Trent has maintained its original vision of providing co-creators of the famed Degrassi series, at their Toronto a personal learning experience that is purposeful home, the evening will include presentations by Trent faculty and transformative.” – Martha Wilder ’74 and President Dr. Leo Groake, music by Will Bowes and Sly Fox (with special guest Trent Chancellor Dr. Don Tapscott ‘66). Refreshments will be provided. Registration required: https://mycommunity.trentu.ca/2017-alumni-events/itcw2017 trentu.ca/give For info: 705-748-1011 ext. 1399 or [email protected]
MONDAY, MAY 15, Toronto Trent Alumni event at Queen’s Park Alumni will be welcomed to this event by Trent President Dr. Leo Groake and proud Trent alumnus, the Honourable Jeff Leal M.P.P. Reception with refreshments included. Registration required: https://mycommunity.trentu.ca/alumni/events For info: 705-748-1011 ext. 1399 or [email protected]
TRENT Magazine 48.1 39 TRENT PEOPLE
Vancouver Chapter News
LORRAINE BENNETT ’72 Trent Talk Reconciliation, Religion & the Arts
It’s easy to forget that with every step we take in BC, we walk on unceded First Nations land. It’s also easy to forget, when entering a great house of prayer and reflection in Vancouver’s downtown core, that it is a monument to a troubled past. It has not, however, been easy to ignore the impressive hoardings that encircled Christ Church Cathedral’s renovations for the last year, which called the community to bear graffiti witness to reconciliation. Under the leadership of Trent alumnus Dean Peter Elliott ’73, Christ Church Cathedral has become the epicenter of reconciliation in Vancouver. Accordingly, our recent Vancouver TrentTalk began with a welcome ceremony by Audrey Siegl of the Musqueam band. Ms. Siegl spoke of her people’s history, the impact of “the occupier” and of her own journey towards reconciliation. In that spirit she welcomed us with music and an honour chant. With almost 50 people in attendance and alumna Carol MacKinnon ’69 moderating, Dean Elliott discussed his and the Cathedral’s role in the negotiations around the residential school survivors’ lawsuit against the Anglican diocese. He described the Cathedral’s continuing activities in reconciliation, begun even before the hearings and report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Elliott’s co-presenter, Alexandra Montgomery, executive director of the Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art, addressed the Gallery’s role as a venue for artistic expression by new and emerging Indigenous artists, much of it arising out of the impact of the residential school experience. Initiated by Elliott and enthusiastically accepted by Ms. Montgomery, the Cathedral and the Gallery, which share the same city block, are partnering their efforts with cautious but welcome enthusiasm from the Indigenous community. The Cathedral is a significant performance venue but most recently its massive hoardings became a canvas for artistic expression. Featuring huge northwest coast motif graphics
Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art
40 TRENT Magazine 48.1 TRENT PEOPLE
From left, Alma Barranco ’90 and Lorraine Lee Hays ’91, Gillian Bird and Alex Bird ’67 Trent President Leo Groarke and alumnus Matt Bennett ’72 Pidutti ’07
by Haida artists Corey Bulpitt and the first university in Canada to offer We are very grateful to Ms. Robi Geary, and the bold challenge such a degree, and shared that Trent Montgomery for her participation and “My reconciliation is…,” the public was has added an Indigenous B.Ed. program her warm welcome to the Gallery at invited to respond on cartoon-style and an Indigenous Environmental the completion of the talk. We are “bubbles” along the hoarding. The Studies degree, with more programs also extremely grateful to Industrial impact on one of Vancouver’s main planned. All of these attest to Trent’s Alliance for their ongoing support downtown intersections was powerful. vital place in reconciliation, a point of of our program and their generous Our local Trent alumni community particular pride to alumni. This was the contribution to the catered reception. was honoured to be joined for this second annual visit by Dr. Groarke and It was great to see so many local event by President Leo Groarke and we look forward to his return next fall. alumni and to get such positive Alumni Affairs Director Lee Hays ’91. As always, we appreciate Ms. Hays’s feedback. We look forward to more of Dr. Groarke emphasized that Trent is a enthusiastic support of our work! the same in 2017! national leader in Indigenous Studies,
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TRENT Magazine 48.1 41 Robert Lightbody ’64 Remembered Member of first graduating class gave to Trent for life
TONY STOREY ’71
us whose lives have been so shaped Catharine Parr Traill College. by Trent. I am proud to have known Current president, Dr. Leo Bob and Margie and to acknowledge Groarke, commented about Bob’s Bob Lightbody’s legacy at Trent yet again how much each of them contribution to the 50th Anniversary University is rich beyond description. exemplifies the excellence and of Trent in 2014: “I started my term A 53-year association with Trent, compassion that defines the Trent as president as the 50th anniversary starting in 1964’s Original Class as a community.” kicked off. I will always be thankful member of Peter Robinson College. When Bob stepped away from for the 50th class reunion that Bob The first leader of a student body the Board of Governors in 1983, his helped organize, which introduced at Trent. alumni peers resolved to honour him me to Trent and made me appreciate The first captain of the hockey by endowing a named award. the deep connection Trent has with team. The Robert Lightbody Prize its first alumni. I am impressed by and A best friend to Margie Murduff was first awarded in 1988 and was thankful for the way in which he and ’64, and, with Margie, gracious and presented annually to a graduating his classmates have cared about a willing hosts to countless Trent events. student of Peter Robinson College. place they had a great hand in shaping. A key contributor to the founding There are now 28 recipients who Bob was a true role model teaching us and development of the Alumni carry Bob’s name forward in their all to give back for the benefit of future Association. lives and careers. In the early 2000s generations.” The first alumnus to sit on the when Peter Robinson College closed, Then there was his easygoing University’s Board of Governors, serving I worried how Bob might react to the demeanor. Dr. Leonard Conolly, Trent’s for 11 years and setting the stage for concern that soon we would have fifth president, remembered, “Bob responsible alumni participation in no Peter Robinson students to award always had a generous and welcoming university governance. the Lightbody Prize to. I need not smile. And every conversation I had Classmate Richard Johnston ’64 have lost any sleep. Bob took out a with him reflected both his down- recalled, “While many of us bathed in pen, and in front of me, amended the to-earth common sense and his post-secondary angst, Bob radiated a criteria to read, “will be awarded to a unwavering commitment to Trent.” positive, glowing joy.” Peter Robinson College graduating In 2013, I was thrilled to learn Bob was an immense influence on student, or its successor college, that Bob Lightbody would receive the my career as director of Alumni Affairs. Peter Gzowski College.” Two commas Trent University Alumni Association’s His conviction that, with graduation, and seven words. That was Bob in a Tony Storey Volunteer Service Award. alumni earned rights and privileges as nutshell: respectful of the past but with Nominated by former Athletics director graduates, but also had responsibilities a pragmatic determination to helping Paul Wilson, Bob completely embodied to the University, became a touchstone students above all else—in this case, the criteria of a demonstrated of our activities. To support Trent, the future students of Trent’s newest significant and long-term commitment to take part in its governance, to act college, Peter Gzowski College. to the Alumni Association. as ambassadors for recruitment and Bob also had roles as a trustee of This is an edited version of Mr. reputation. And, most emphatically, to the Trent University Foundation and Storey’s speech from Bob Lightbody’s help students in any way possible. a member of the 50th Anniversary memorial. Bob believed in and lived these Steering Committee. He did very responsibilities and obligations, and important work as a trustee of with Margie, were in the top ranks of the Gilbert and Stewart Bagnani Tony Storey retired in June 2011 as visible and dedicated alumni leaders. Endowment. the longest-serving director of Alumni Affairs at any university in Canada. Mr. Trent University’s fourth president, Jon Grant, a former chair of the Storey nurtured alumni engagement Dr. John Stubbs, had this to say: “Bob Board of Governors, noted that Bob at Trent over three decades, and was Lightbody is an exemplar of the many was totally devoted to, and always selected by the Canadian Council for the qualities that so powerfully define Trent positive about Trent and its students. In Advancement of Education (CCAE) as the alumni. In both material terms and particular, he was instrumental in the winner of the 2011 CCAE Outstanding wise counsel, he made inestimable negotiations between the University Achievement Award. and enduring contributions to Trent. and the Bagnani Trust that led to He set the highest standards for all of the construction of Bagnani Hall at trentu.ca/tributes
42 TRENT Magazine 48.1 T~NT@ UN I VERSITY
PffiRBOROUGH• DURHAM - GTA • ONTA RIO· CANADA
MARCHBREAK OPEN HOUSE Few things are more inspir ing than unleashing the potential of a yo ung mind . As a Trent alu m, yo u know just how transformative MARCH14-DURHAM -GTA the Trent exper ience really is. If you know a student considering university, let them know abo ut o ur unique ly interact ive, inclusive MARCH16- PETERBOROUGHlearn ing mode l, and enco urage them to visit Trent. In person or on line, students can tour Trent, learn abo ut exciting new programs, check o ut residence and learn how Trent University in Peterborough or Durham - GTA opens the door to opport unity and success.
CHALLENGEWAY YOU THINK TRENTU.CA/OISCOVER A dancer participates in one of the early Elders and Traditional Peoples Gatherings. Photographer: Unknown. Photo courtesy of Trent University Archives.
LOOKING BACK
The Elders Gathering was first held at Trent in the 1970s and was the biggest event of its kind. The gathering provides an opportunity to share Indigenous knowledge through a series of workshops, presentations, and informal meetings. It is a unique chance for students and community members to listen to and learn from the stories and knowledge that elders and traditional people carry. Trent is honoured to welcome participants to the 41st annual Elders and Traditional Peoples Gathering.
For a full listing of Gathering events, please visit: www.trentu.ca/fphl/elders