Fleming College To Offer New Respiratory Therapy Program
/Fleming College will now be offering Respiratory Therapy diploma program through its School of Health and Community Services.
Photo by University of New Brunswick.
Peterborough Blogs
Electric City Culture Council Highlights Resources To Promote Truth And Reconciliation On National Indigenous Peoples Day
/June is National Indigenous History Month, and June 21 is National Indigenous Peoples Day. In hopes to encourage education, Electric City Culture Council (EC3) has compiled a list of resources they invite the public to read, watch and listen to.
Pow Wow in Curve Lake, 2014. File Photo.
These resources will help individuals learn about Indigenous history, peoples, and culture, as well as the legacy of Canada’s treatment of Indigenous people.
Learn
In 2015, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission delivered its report and 94 calls to action. These calls provide a roadmap to start this country on the path towards healing.
Look at Canadian Artists' Representation (CARFAC)’s website Indigenous Protocols for the Visual Arts, which includes toolkits and discussions for arts administrators, curators, and programmers around respectful engagement with Indigenous art and artists. Those interested can also watch the Ontario Arts Council’s video about the importance of Indigenous arts protocols.
The Government of Canada has set up a learning portal full of resources to learn more about the history, cultures, and experiences of Canada’s Indigenous peoples.
To get a sense of the Indigenous peoples and languages across Canada (and around the world), as well as the treaties that affect them, Native Land Digital is a massive, interactive map that presents detailed information about this land’s peoples in a visually striking way.
For several years, the University of Alberta has offered their first-year survey course Indigenous Canada to audit online for free. This intro course is taught by Indigenous instructors and informed by work with Indigenous Elders and leaders.
Locally, the Nogojiwanong Project offers a series of interpretive panels highlighting the evolution of local treaties and inherent rights of Indigenous peoples in the area, on permanent display down at Millennium Park.
Watch
Explore the work of Indigenous artists and creators, with the lists of books, movies, podcasts, and more below.
The National Film Board has a list of Indigenous Cinema available to watch for free through their website. Those subscribed to CAMPUS through an educational institution can also access additional learning resources for many of the films.
CBC has put together two excellent resources lists: one of Indigenous-themed podcasts that explore the diversity of Indigenous cultures, as well as Indigenous history; and a comprehensive list of 35 books to read for National Indigenous History Month.
The Government of Canada’s #IndigenousReads is an extensive reading list of works by Indigenous authors and about Indigenous topics. This list was set up to encourage reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples by sharing Indigenous literature.
The Downie Wenjack Fund is hosting a series of four Indigenous History Month events online this month. The events feature Indigenous Elders, Knowledge Keepers, artists, and allies from Northwest Territories, Saskatchewan, and New Brunswick, and conclude with a special Canada-wide episode.
Last year, Peterborough’s own GreenUP published A top 10 summer listening list for truth and reconciliation on KawarthaNOW.
Heal
Those in need of healing, specifically Indigenous people, review the list below.
Talk4Healing offers 24/7 help, support and resources for Indigenous women, by Indigenous women, all across Ontario.
Hope for Wellness Helpline provides 24/7 culturally grounded assessment, referrals, support in times of crisis, and suicide intervention. Service languages include Ojibway, Cree, Inuktut, English, and French. Call 1-855-242-3310
Native Women’s Association of Canada’s Elder Support Line. Available Monday-Friday 9AM-11AM EST & 1PM-3PM EST, Canada-wide. Call 1-888-664-7808.
National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation’s Supports for Survivors, including support lines across Canada. Call 1-888-301-6426 in Ontario.
Indian Residential Schools Resolution Health Support Program, offered by the Government of Canada as part of the Indian Residential School Settlement Agreement: 1-866-925-4419
Local organization: Niijkiwendidaa Anishnaabekwewag Services Circle provides counselling and healing services for Indigenous women and their families.
Teach
For those with young ones, these resources will help children explore and learn about Indigenous history and culture.
TVO Kids’ Indigenous Peoples Day page is full of useful resources, including activities, videos, and games. Also take a look at their Sharing Stories page, with a reading list of picture books about Indigenous peoples.
The Ottawa Public Library offers a Teaching Toolkit for National Indigenous History Month. A variety of great resources for teaching young ones.
CBC Kidsnews offers an excellent explainer video, “National Indigenous History Month: When did it start and what is it?”.
Lovevery’s blog post “How to discuss injustice toward Indigenous Peoples with your children, age 0 – 8” is thoughtfully written, and includes links to a number of children’s books about Indigenous history, as well as links to additional resources.
Support
Canada Helps offers a list of Indigenous charities that can be supported with donations. This link includes local organizations, the Nogojiwanong Friendship Centre, the Niijkiwendidaa Anishnaabekwewag Services Circle, and the Peterborough Native Learning Program.
Join
Here is a list of events happening locally for Indigenous History Month and Indigenous Peoples Day.
Curve Lake First Nation is offering programming throughout the day on Indigenous Peoples Day, June 21, including self-guided history walks, videos, a sunrise ceremony, drive-through lunch, movie matinee, and fireworks at dusk. See more details.
Two local organizations that provide services to Indigenous peoples, the Nogojiwanong Friendship Centre and Niijkiwendidaa Anishnaabekwewag Services Circle are coming together for a celebration of Indigenous Peoples Day and Summer Solstice on June 21, including a sacred fire, meal, craft vendors, and traditional dancers. The Friendship Centre will also be hosting a Sunrise Ceremony at dawn on the same day.
The Nogojiwanong Indigenous Fringe Festival, the world’s first Indigenous fringe festival, returns June 21 to 26 at Trent University, and it kicks off with a Community Picnic for Indigenous Peoples Day on June 21, with food and entertainment. This is followed by five days of events, including theatre, dance, burlesque, spoken word, songs, and stories. Check out the full schedule of events.
For Indigenous History Month, the Peterborough Public Library has selected The Strangers by Katherena Vermette as the book for their Adult Book Club. This book is a searing exploration of race, class, inherited trauma, and matrilineal bonds that – despite everything – refuse to be broken. The Book Club meets June 28 at the library.
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Trent University Unveils Pillars Honouring Over 100 Donors and Philanthropists
/Trent University unveiled six pillars honouring 185 donors that have contributed to the school since its inception in a ceremony held on Wednesday afternoon.
Gavin Marshall (left) and Doug Kirk (right) shortly after the monuments were unveiled. Photo by David Tuan Bui.
Located outside the Student Centre, the monument commemorates receiving over $100 million in philanthropic support.
"This is a testimony to donors, contributors and to Trent who have been committed to us for 50-60 years," said Dr. Leo Groarke, Trent president and vice-chancellor. "It's amazing and we thought we just had to celebrate that."
Photo by David Tuan Bui.
The idea to create the monument was created roughly two years ago according to Groarke and took roughly three weeks to install.
The first and last pillars as been marked with this quote:
“Trent University is an institution profoundly anchored in philanthropy. Our donors are vital partners, and with support from alumni, our community and friends, Trent University remains a vibrant institution for collaboration, discovery and leadership. This installation recognizes cumulative, lifetime giving to Trent University. We express our deep gratitude and appreciation to these donors for their generosity.”
The middle pillars list the donors depending on the amount of their donation in four recognition categories:
The Trent Visionaries - $1,000,000 - $10,000,000+
The Chancellors’ Guild - $500,000 - $999,999
The Governors’ Council - $250,000 - $499,999
The Presidents’ Circle - $100,000 - $249,999
During the unveiling event, Trent also announced a new $1-million gift, from long-time Trent supporters David and Joan Moore, that will establish the prestigious Moore Family International Scholarship. This new scholarship will offer a recurring four-year scholarship for three students from outside of North America.
“This momentous gift will truly impact the lives of international students,” says Sherry Booth, Trent associate vice president of philanthropy and alumni engagement. “All of our supporters are vital partners, and with support from alumni, our community and friends, Trent University remains a vibrant institution for collaboration, discovery and leadership. Today’s event celebrates the momentum of positive change since the University’s inception and honours the generosity of our supporters.”
Trent thanked generous supporters who have contributed to the following initiatives over the past academic year:
Support for Indigenous graduate students through a $1 million estate gift from Bill Reid.
A new residence and academic building at Trent Durham following a successful inaugural campaign that raised $6.6 million.
A new nursing scholarship supporting local students from a rural background thanks to a $100,000 gift from Doreen Stewart RN.
Improved financial aid and student spaces following the second annual Trent Day, which raised more than $1.1 million, while also collecting non-perishables for local food banks in Peterborough and Durham.
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East City Holding Neighbourhood Yard Sale to Benefit Local School's Nutrition Program
/Over 50 houses have registered in a neighbourhood yard sale where part of the proceeds benefit Kaawaate East City Public School’s nutrition program this Saturday.
Kaawaate East City Public School teaches students from junior kindergarten to grade 8. The school runs two separate nutrition breaks for the students. Photo by David Tuan Bui.
The yard sale is located at residences in and around East City and Ashburnham Village with over 30 participating streets. It is run by the Facebook page East City Ptbo and runs from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Kaawaate East City Public School is receiving 20 per cent of the proceeds from participating houses made from the yard sale.
Any vendors are encouraged to post yard sale signs and asked to take them down after by East City Ptbo.
The following are a list of streets that are participating in the yard sale:
Abbey Lane
Armour Road
Ashburnham Drive
Beverly Street
Burnham Street
Caddy Street
Carlisle Avenue
Cricket Place
Curtis Road
Douro Street
Driscoll Terrace
Dufferin Street
Edgewater Road
Elgin Street
Engleburn Avenue
Euclid Avenue
Foxmeadow Road
James Street
Juliet Road
Ludgate Street
Ludgate Street
Mark Street
Marsdale Drive
Munro Avenue
Ridgetop Crescent
Robinson Street
Rogers Street
Ross Street
Severn Road
Snelgrove Road
Swanston Avenue
Watts Avenue
Woodbine Avenue
If you are a house that wants to donate to the school, email Jennifercaley@hotmail.com.
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Fleming College Celebrates Employees With Annual Spotlight Awards
/Fleming College came together to celebrate outstanding employees last week, for the second annual Spotlight Awards.
File Photo.
The Spotlight Awards showcase a few of Fleming’s employees who inspire and motivate others and who contribute to Fleming’s culture of inclusivity and innovation.
This year more than 51 nominations were put forward by colleagues eager to see their coworkers honoured in five distinct categories.
“The Spotlight Awards shine a light on the impressive work that our faculty and staff do every day to serve our students, and our community,” said Fleming College President Maureen Adamson. “What makes these awards so special is that they are entirely peer nominated, and I cannot think of something more impactful than peers supporting peers. I would like to thank our employees who go above and beyond each day and extend my sincere congratulations to this year’s 2022 Spotlight Award winners and those nominated.”
This year, the Spotlight Awards recognized one individual and one group in each of the five award categories.
Technology Champion Award
This award recognizes an individual or team that embraces the latest technology and digital tools to prepare students for the future workplace. This person or team anticipates technological needs of the labour market to ensure students benefit from hands-on training that will prepare them for the workforce.
Individual Award Recipient: Wendy Morgan
Team Recipient: Centre for Advancement in Mechatronics and Industrial Internet of Things (CAMIIT) Team (Ankur Arora, Cole Radoja, Fereydoon Diba, Jesus Venegas Villaneuva, Mahdi Pirmoradian, Mitrajsinh Digvijaysinh Ravalji, Philippe Shurtleff, Tafan Yaseen Ali, Farnoosh Attar, Mehataj Shaik, Milad Keshani, Mitchell Syer, Mohammed Kamrul Hassan, Saba Molazadeh, Sasan Soleimani Hesari, Tristan Colaco, Jesse Melo, Blane Bell , Jeremy Dalby)
Student & Employer Success Award
This award recognizes an individual or team that encourages collaboration between students and employers to establish practical, real-world opportunities that ensure graduates are job ready.
Individual Award Recipient: Patti-Lynn Davis
Team Recipient: Jan Watson, Nicole Grady, Susan Garfat, Alannah Ferguson, Jennifer Morrissey, Nicole Holden, Valerie Dalby
Strengthening Communities Award
This award recognizes an individual or team that demonstrates a commitment to strengthening our communities through creating an inclusive and welcoming campus for all. This person or team is dedicated to creating economic and social development partnerships that advance the future of our communities and provide opportunities for students and staff.
Individual Award Recipient: Jon Carter
Team Recipient: Alannah Ferguson, Jennifer Morrissey, Catherine Adesanya, Janice-Lee Foxon, Katie Taylor, Jen Berry, Martina McDowell, Andrew Bohart, Barbara Shaw, Lori McQuaid, Susan O'Toole
Diversity and Inclusion Award
This award recognizes an individual or team that ensures Fleming College is a welcoming place for staff, students, and the communities we serve. This person or team goes above and beyond to meet the needs of our diverse populations and to enrich our communities.
Individual Award Recipient: Mamdouh Mina
Team Recipient: Indigenous Perspectives Faculty Team (Erin Hayward, CherylAnn James, Beedahbin Peltier)
Employee Success Award
This award recognizes an individual or team that demonstrates a positive, equitable and supportive workplace culture. This person or team is dedicated to contributing to an energized workplace that respects and values the opinion and ideas of all employees.
Individual Award Recipient: Molly Westland
Team Recipient: Lisa Burke and Nancy Barrett
Trent University Grants Three Recipients Inaugural Nursing Scholarship For Students Facing Financial Barriers
/Kate McFarlane, Rachel Roots, and Hannah Raymond are the first-ever recipients of the Trent University Doreen (Larmer) Stewart Nursing Scholarship announced on Monday.
Photo courtesy of Trent University.
The new scholarship expands support for local students from rural or farming communities who face financial barriers to nursing education.
The scholarship was created through a $100,000 gift from Doreen J. Stewart, a retired registered nurse with strong roots in the Peterborough area.
“Thanks to Mrs. Stewart’s generosity, this scholarship will help remove barriers for students who wish to join our programs and become the nurses of tomorrow – compassionate and critical thinkers who create social change through the promotion of health and well-being,” says Dr. Hugo Lehmann, Trent/Fleming School of Nursing (TFSON) acting dean.
Doreen’s family faced financial hardship when she was growing up in the farming community of South Monaghan largely due to medical costs for her sisters Ruth and Shirley who had juvenile diabetes in the days before national healthcare.
“It is my hope that this scholarship helps bring the best and brightest minds to study at the Trent/Fleming School of Nursing,” says Doreen. “Financial hardship should not impede the education and training of capable and compassionate people for careers in nursing, and the pandemic has shone a light on the critical importance of nursing as a career.”
Doreen was able to pursue her dream of nursing. She graduated with her registered nurse qualifications from the Peterborough Civic Hospital in 1964, Occupational Health in 1979, and General Studies, Science in 2005. Her career spanned emergency and intensive care units across Canada, U.S. and South America.
The Doreen (Larmer) Stewart Nursing Scholarship will be distributed annually, with up to three awards worth $2,500 each available for full-time nursing students in any year of study in the TFSON.
The scholarship will offer financial assistance to qualified students: those with demonstrated financial need, with longstanding connections in the greater Peterborough community and surrounding rural areas, and who intend to complete a Bachelor’s degree in the study of nursing and go on to a nursing career.
Local School Spruces Its Anniversary With Tree Planting From $3,500 Grant
/Over 50 volunteers of students, faculty and sponsors planted 40 white spruce trees around their campus with a $3,500 grant in celebration of Kawartha Montessori School’s 40th anniversary on Saturday morning.
Kawartha Montessori School students Jenna Quinn (left), 14 and Esther van Oostveen (right), 6, digging up dirt to plant one of 40 white spruce trees. Photo by David Tuan Bui.
The trees run along both sides of the school and beside Highway 7. Added forestry for the school acts as a natural sound guard, decreases outside distractions for students and beautifies the campus among several other benefits according to Celia Johnstone, Tree Canada community advisor.
"It's a very exposed windy site," she said. "The schoolyard is very exposed so it provides good protection from the wind. There are also shade trees, provide the clean air as we breathe and mitigate the greenhouse effect."
"Having our school on this beautiful 10-acre property, we enrich our academic curriculum daily using the outdoors," said Carolyn Donaldson, Montessori principal. "From a very young age, having these students know that giving back to the environment is so important."
Students planted eight trees on Friday with a total of 48 planted. The ordeal was a positive experience for the school as it was the first community activity they could hold since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
"It's just so great to plant so many trees to help the environment and to impact future generations here,” said Jenna Quinn, 14, grade 8 Montessori student. "It's such a beautiful campus and it's great to have trees out here."
The $3,500 came from the Community Tree Grant by Tree Canada with UPS providing the money as the sponsor. It is given annually with eligibility spreading across Canada.
An application was submitted in the fall by a school community member according to Johnstone.
Snacks such as cookies and muffins with refreshments were made by Montessori students and were served at the tree-planting event.
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St. John's School Holds Ukraine Fundraiser With City-Wide Badminton Tournament
/St. John’s Catholic Elementary School grade 7 and 8 students used their racquets and birdies to raise money for their “United for Ukraine” two-day badminton tournament held on Wednesday and Thursday.
St. Anne’s grade 8 student, Clara Murison (pictured), 13, serving against Monsignor O’Donoghue (MOD) at St. John’s gymnasium. Murison and her teammate Sequoia Soubliere, 14, defeated MOD in their round-robin matchup. Photo by David Tuan Bui.
Nine other schools within the Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington Catholic School Board were invited to participate and contribute to the cause.
The money is going towards the New Canadians Centre Welcome Fund which aids refugees and immigrants with mental health services, employment opportunities and other services.
"The kids have been working on this for a couple of months now as a 'deep learning' project," said Stacy Higgins, St. John's grade 8 teacher. "They learned about what was going on in Ukraine and wanted to help."
"We did a little bit of research on Ukraine and we were talking about it a lot in class,” said Jayden Hopkins, 14, St. John's grade 8 student. “We haven't really haven't had any schools come over in a long time because of COVID so we thought this would be a great way to help our community and help the refugees but also have a fun time."
St Anne’s grade 8 student Sequoia Soubliere (pictured), 14, was one of the finalists for the girls’ tournament. Photo by David Tuan Bui.
St John’s students were responsible for contacting other schools to get them involved, reach out to sponsors and organize the event.
"It took a lot of effort, we had to call a lot of places and we're so thankful for our sponsors to help donate food, drinks and flowers, said Hopkins. “It was a lot of hard work to make those signs, and call the different places, it was a lot of work but it was worth it."
All the awards were designed by a St. John’s student while Holy Cross Secondary School created them. Photo by David Tuan Bui.
The students reached out to Holy Cross Secondary School where teacher Mike Whibbs helped created the awards from the shop class. The first-place trophy was designed by a St John’s student and made with a 3D printer.
The amount of effort and work put into the tournament was rewarding according to the St. John’s students.
"It's very nice to know that we're helping families coming to Peterborough and the surrounding area," said Reed Lain, 13, St. John's grade 8 student. "Not many people have done stuff since Covid, everyone's been inside so it's pretty good for the teams playing."
Each school had two girls and boys represent their respective schools to play in the doubles tournament while contributing $100 for each team.
The girls’ tournament was held on the first day with the boys’ on the following day.
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Trent Professor Earns National Teaching Award for Indigenous Studies
/Trent University Professor David Newhouse has been named among Canada’s most outstanding university educators and winner of one of ten 3M Teaching Fellowships announced on Tuesday.
The 3M National Teaching Fellowship was founded in 1986, that honours exceptional contributions to teaching and learning at the post-secondary level. Photo courtesy of Trent University.
