2nd Annual Empowering Anishinaabe Symposium to be Held on November 25th
(SAULT STE. MARIE, ON – NOVEMBER 20th, 2008): The Shingwauk Anishinaabe Students’ Association (SASA) will be holding the 2nd Annual Empowering the Anishinaabe Symposium on Tuesday November 25th from 7:00pm to 9:00pm in Shingwauk Hall on the campus of Algoma University. The event will be open to the public and all interested parties are encouraged to attend.
The keynote speaker at the symposium will be Grand Chief Eddie Benton-Banai of the Midewiwin Three Fires Lodge. Mr. Benton-Banai is a much sought-after speaker and he is also the spiritual and academic advisor for Shingwauk Kinoomaage Gamig. He was one of the founders of the American Indian Movement and was also the spiritual advisor for that influential organization.
Mr. Benton-Banai holds degrees in education from the University of Minnesota and he is also currently an MBA and Ph.D. candidate at the University of California. He has authored The Mishomis Book, the first book to provide an understanding of the sacred Midewiwin teachings to Anishinaabe families, as well as the recent Anishinabe Almanac, Anishinabe Living through the Seasons.
Also being featured at the symposium will be guest speakers Agnes Kanasawe, Tausha Esquega Stacy Richard Tijerina and Patrick Kent. 2008 marks the second iteration of the Empowering Anishinaabe Symposium and the event is planned to continue on an annual basis under SASA’s guidance.
SASA will be accepting donations of non-perishable food items for the Algoma U food bank at the symposium. The evening will conclude with an open-mic session where guests will be invited to participate and make their voices heard.
About Algoma University
Algoma University is home to approximately 1,200 students. Offering a wide variety of liberal arts and sciences degree options including programs in Computer Science, Business Administration, Fine Arts, Community Economic & Social Development, and Biology; Algoma U is committed to offering a personal education experience unlike any university in Ontario. Algoma University also offers accelerated second degree programs in Business Administration and Computer Science on its Brampton campus through a partnership with the Education Invention Centre of Canada. To learn more about Algoma University at Brampton, visit www.eicc.ca. To learn more about Algoma University, visit www.algomau.ca.
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Media Contact
Donna Woldanski
Divisional Directory of External Relations
Algoma University
705.949.2301 ext. 4120
donna.woldanski@algomau.ca