Indigenous student retreat aims to develop leadership skills

A retreat next month organized by the Mamidosewin Centre will allow Indigenous students to connect with their roots and work on their leadership skills.

The retreat is called “niganizi,” which translates from Anishinaabe to “the one who leads.” It will take place from Oct. 19 to Oct. 21.

“The whole reason why I signed up to participate is because of the land-based learning. It’s a rare opportunity, especially in the modern times,” said Shayna Shawogonabe, an Algonquin College Level 3 student studying applied museum studies.

Indigenous students travel many kilometres from home to Algonquin College for their studies, but many struggle with the hardship of homesickness. The retreat is meant to help them battle those emotions and provide the tools to create their own leadership skills.

“Stepping away and literally unplugging from the traditional education system and learning hands-on work, traditional teachings, land-based skills, it’s completely invaluable,” said Shawogonabe.

The Mamidosewin Centre has been planning the retreat for awhile, however, by the time it received the funding, the pandemic hit and put the retreat on hold.

The WeLive Foundation has donated $15,000 over the past three years to allow the retreat to happen. The organization’s goal is to build Indigenous leaders in post-secondary schools.

“How can we help them through their emotional experiences so they can get well enough to join the fray? We lost a lot of people without even knowing where the real fight was,” said Eric Johnston, manager for the Mamidosewin Centre.

The retreat will have no cell service and take place by a private lake. There will be activities like canoeing, campfires, smudging, archery and more to be determined as the organizers are planning the rest of the details.

The retreat is free, but organizers haven’t received many applications since announcing the opportunity on Sept. 9. Travel, meals and overnight accommodations will be arranged for successful applicants. Participants are also required to bring sleeping bags and clothing.

“I think having strong Indigenous voices who want to make a change on campus is very important,” said Summer Wabasse, events and communications officer for Mamidosewin Centre.

It is not often Algonquin College takes students off campus for an event that could last an entire weekend, especially an event that doesn’t guarantee the student’s own success. However, Mamidosewin Centre is willing to take that chance.

“For now, Indigenous students need the land-based learning. It’s difficult to do that in a post-secondary system where you’re chronically online, you’re far from home and you don’t know anyone,” said Shawogonabe.