February 22, 2008
PRESS RELEASE
(Garden River First Nation, ON)
ANNOUNCING THEHISTORICAL LAUNCH OF SHINGWAUK KINOOMAAGE GAMIG “CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE IN ANISHINAABE EDUCATION”
Shingwauk Kinoomaage Gamig is proud to announce the historical launch of its new courses in Anishinaabe Studies this September 2008, new logo (file attached) and website (www.shingwauku.com).
Over the past number of years the need for an Anishinaabe post-secondary institution has become increasingly apparent (Royal Commission Report on Aboriginal Peoples, 1996). In May 2006, the Shingwauk Education Trust (SET) and Algoma University College signed a covenant that entered a statement of common understanding and commitment to establishing Shingwauk Kinoomaage Gamig, an independent and degree-granting post secondary institution. The Shingwauk Covenant states that Anishinaabe, Canadian and International staff and students must learn to respect and understand each other's knowledge and cultural differences. Both institutions are working in collaboration to become independent universities.
"Our vision in creating Shingwauk Kinoomaage Gamig (University) will preserve the integrity of Anishinaabe knowledge and understanding in cooperation with society to educate the present and future generations in a positive, cooperative and respectful environment” says Darrell Boissoneau, President of Shingwauk Kinoomaage Gamig and the Shingwauk Education Trust. “Shingwauk Kinoomaage Gamig was founded to fulfill the vision of Ojibway Chief Shingwauk who in 1873 told the people to build a “Teaching Wigwam Lodge” to preserve the history and culture of the Anishinaabe people of all tribes, nations and to teach and give students a good education and live a good life into the future” he adds. “The concept of the Teaching Wigwam is the result of the desire that the Ojibway Nation, develop and process resources needed by foreign demands. This was an effort to develop the capacity of the Ojibway Nation, to maintain its' possession to resources and lands. The Teaching Wigwam initiative was an importation of skills, not an abandonment of Culture and Identity” he finishes.
"Shingwauk Kinoomaage Gamig (University) will be instrumental in providing First Nations and all people with the leadership and concrete skills in order to build strong communities globally. The Assembly of First Nations fully supports Shingwauk Kinoomaage Gamig (University) in its commitment to meeting the needs of students and to building capacity through educational excellence, innovative delivery and a deep commitment to student success” states, National Chief Phil Fontaine, Assembly of First Nations. “The Assembly of First Nations looks forward to the historical launch of Shingwauk Kinoomaage Gamig (University) in September 2008, and the continued sharing and support of all community partners, their ideas and the inspiration that comes from learning and growing together in mutual respect." “As a result of the work of Agustin Shingwauk and Bugujjewenene and the Anglican Church, the Teaching Wigwam became a reality” states Chris Belleau, Keeper of Traditional Knowledge from Garden River First Nation. “Sadly, the operations and purpose of the Teaching Wigwam was aligned with the Assimilation and Genocide of the Ojibway Nation as opposed to the initial purposes originally advocated by Shingwaukonse” he adds.
Shingwauk Kinoomaage Gamig courses (offered in September 2008) include:
ANISHINAABE STUDIES - Bachelor of Arts (4 -Year)
ANIS 1006 Ayzhi dibawji moyawn (Anishinaabe Peoples & Our Homelands)
ANIS 1007 Ayzhi dibawji moyawn (Anishinaabe Peoples & Our Homelands II)
ANIS 2006 Wiidjigaam gewe jibayek (Anishinaabe Social Issues)
ANIS 2007 Gdaa Mikweenimaanan Pontiacbun, Tecumsehbun, miinwaa Shingwaukbun (Anishinaabe Social Movements)
ANISHINAABEMOWIN - Bachelor of Arts (3-year)Anishinaabemowin is a unique program offering basic to advanced-level instruction in the Ojibway language. It is the only three-year Bachelor degree in Canada focusing on the Ojibway language and culture.(All courses are developed and instructed by Shingwauk Kinoomaage Gamig and offered under the degree programs granting office of The University of Sudbury and Algoma University College)Shingwauk Kinoomaage Gamig’s roster of faculty includes: Bawdwaywidun, or Edward Benton-Banai, Ojibway-Anishinaabe from the Odawazawguh i gunning or Lac Courte Oreilles Reservation in the beautiful northern Wisconsin. A strong advocate for culture-based education and the relearning of our sacred Anishinaabemowin language, Benton-Banai is the Grand Chief of the Three Fires Midewiwin Lodge. Mr. Benton-Banai is the Academic/Spiritual Advisor for Shingwauk Kinoomaage Gamig.Dr. Phil Bellfy (Writing, Rhetoric, and American Cultures) is a member of the White Earth Band of Minnesota Chippewa (WRAC). His research is concerned with the comparative experience of the Anishinaabe people in both the United States and Canada, especially those who live on the border. His manuscript, Three Fires Unity: The Anishnaabeg of the Lake Huron Borderlands, was selected as the winner of the 2003 North American Indian Prose Award by the University of Nebraska Press. Phil is the Founder and Co-director of the Center for the Study of Indigenous Border Issues. Yvgne Lithman, IMER/UIB, Director of IMER/UIB/Professor of Sociology, International Migration & Ethic Research Unit At The University Of Bergin, Norway After having held several senior positions at universities in Europe and North America, in 1996 Lithman was appointed Director of the Research Unit on International Migration and Ethnic Relations at the University of Bergen, Norway, IMER N/B. He has also been appointed professor of sociology at the same university. In the spring term of 2000, he was made a Killam Fellow, nominated by the University of Calgary, Canada. The same year, he was appointed International Associate at the Centre for Community and Urban Studies, Goldsmiths College, London. Lithman has lectured widely internationally, and some of his international engagement is also expressed in his position within the Metropolis network, where he is a member of the international steering committee. He was scientifically responsible for its annual international conference in Oslo in 2002. He has done field work in Sweden, Canada, and Peru, as well as various shorter field trips in European, Asian and African countries. Lithman has also had a variety of international and national consulting tasks. He is also engaged in a variety of international scholarly associations and other network activities. Lithman's research includes a variety of concerns related to international migration and ethnic relations, First Nations (Indians) issues, development theory, natural resource issues, popular culture and culture theory, incl. sports.Lorena Sekwan Fontaine, B.A., LL.B., LL.M.Lorena Fontaine is Cree and Anishinaabe from the Sagkeeng First Nation in Manitoba. Lorena has worked with the Inter-American Human Rights Commission of the Organization of American States as a legal intern, and has assisted in land rights cases for Indigenous peoples in Belize, and the United States. She has also worked as a legal consultant to Thomson Rogers, in the Baxter class action on residential schools, and for the Assembly of First Nations Residential School Unit. Nicholas Deleary B.A (Trent University), Native Studies/Anthropology, M.A. Carleton University, Native Studies, Ph.D. in Social Cultural Anthropology (pending)Nicholas Deleary is an Ojibway and member of the Midewiwin Lodge. Professor of Indigenous Studies/Aboriginal Partnership Liaison; St. Clair College. Cultural Repatriation-Three Fires Midewiwin Lodge, Assembly of First Nations; Union of Ontario Indians, National Task Force on Museums & Aboriginal People in Canada; Museum repatriation; and the Sacred Site repatriation. Projects include Panamanian Indigenous National Congress; Phoenix Solutions Co., Plasma Gasification Co-generation Waste from energy systems; World Congress of Archaeology; Union of Ontario Indians, International Museum Exhibition, National Indian Education Council; Ziibiwing Cultural Education Society-Visioning and Reorganization. Jerry Fontaine, Director, Anishinaabe Initiatives, Shingwauk Education Trust/Algoma University College, Professor, Shingwauk Kinoomaage Gamig, Laurentian University.Jerry served as Chief for over ten years of Sagkeeng First Nation. He served on several Federal Task Forces, Steering Committees and Councils with respect to finance, business, environment and Child Welfare. He has served as a Senior Advisor to the Pine Falls Paper Company in Manitoba facilitating negotiations between the Province of Manitoba, Anishinaabe Nations and the Pine Falls Paper Company. Jerry has served as a Senior Advisor to the National Chief, Assembly of First Nations, where he was responsible for providing strategic advice and counsel to the National Chief and the Executive Committee. He founded and organized the First Peoples Party in Manitoba.Howard Webkamigad B.A.(Laurentian), B.Ed.(Laurentian-Nipissing), M.A.(Michigan State)Howard Webkamigad is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Modern Languages, Anishinaabemowin at Algoma University College.Denielle Boissoneau-Thunderchild (Associate Legal Counsel) Ms. Boissoneau-Thunderchild is Ojibway/Nehiyew and a member of Garden River First Nation. She received her undergraduate degree in human justice from the University of Regina, and graduated in Law from the University of Toronto in 2000. For interview opportunity or for further information please contact:Darrell BoissoneauPresidentShingwauk Kinoomaage Gamig(705) 942-5069Cell: (705) 542-0123Email: dboissoneau@shingwauk.caFor further information about Shingwauk Kinoomaage Gamig or to register please visit:www.shingwauku.com
