Medicine Hat College hosting week-long Indigenous learning event

Spotted Bull says they have a lot of teachings, and insight of ways of healing, ways of knowing in the community, and especially in Indigenous culture.

“The best way to go about that is sharing it, keeping that open mindset for Indigenous culture, the language and the drumming as you saw for the opening ceremony, keeping that going, keeping that momentum running forward,” Spotted Bull said.

“For me as an Indigenous representative as well as ambassador of the stuff that’s being harnessed in the drumming or the language and whatnot. I take great pride in that,” he added.

“It’s an enjoyable experience for people that want to learn and people that want to observe as well. That’s what it means to me.”

A number of community members walked into the ceremony carrying flags, with mayor Linnsie Clark included.

Elder Charlie Fox spoke at the opening ceremony and said a number of Indigenous traditions will be learned throughout the week.

“You know beading and stuff like that. You see that on my regalia. These are very time consuming to put stuff together like this,” Fox said.

“To have the patience to be able to be artistic at the same time those are lessons to be heard.”

Students were learning in the tepee’s set up on the college grounds on Monday, and will throughout the week.

The public is welcome to visit the tepee’s after 4 p.m. each day.

Dancing was a key aspect of the opening ceremonies with a number of young Indigenous dancers from the public school division sharing their culture with fellow students.

Spotted Bull said it’s amazing and touching to see this.

“It’s been getting more popularity, just getting more traction at least, and the goal for I think most Indigenous organizations and communities and communities like Medicine Hat, the goal is to keep that momentum continuing and pushing forward,” Spotted Bull said.

Spotted Bull said events like this help make a great impact for reconciliation by spreading cultural awareness.

by Jesse Gill

Medicine Hat College hosting week-long Indigenous learning event

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