Lakehead University receives support for outdoor Indigenous learning space in Thunder Bay, Ont.

Lakehead University in Thunder Bay, Ont., has received support to revamp its outdoor Indigenous learning space to make it more accessible for students and community members.

The existing space consists of a dirt road leading toward a sweat lodge and garden on the western edge of campus. There's space to build small fires and store supplies needed for traditional activities.

The hope is to transform the area into an indoor-outdoor space with running water, washrooms and supporting infrastructure.

"We're looking at what we can do to use that as a year-round space right now," said Denise Baxter, a member of Marten Falls First Nation and vice provost of Indigenous initiatives at Lakehead.

The Bank of Montreal (BMO) announced a $1 million donation on Friday to be spread over five years to support the project.

"It's been transformative," Baxter said. "It's a real honour to be working together to really think about what it means to have more spaces for cultural engagement, community connections, Indigenous education and land-based learning at the university."

Decolonizing educational spaces

About 13 per cent of students at Lakehead have identified themselves as Indigenous, according to the school, many of whom come from remote communities.

"If you're not from Thunder Bay, where your family may be, you are coming to a larger centre and you are coming to a city of potential strangers," she said.

"Having an opportunity for students to make connections with other people and really appreciate this particular place, it's really quite a powerful thing."

While the outdoor learning space is open to all students, it will be especially used for Indigenous leaders, Elders and knowledge keepers, "while supporting key programs like the Indigenous Transition Year Program and the Indigenous Cultural Traditions Club," Lakehead said in a news release issued Friday.

The space is also part of the school's ongoing Gichi Kendaasiwin project, which means "higher knowledge" in Anishinaabemowin. The goal is to decolonize educational institutions and make them more inclusive for Indigenous learners.

"For too long, Indigenous peoples have been historically disadvantaged in educational spaces, and Gichi Kendaasiwin represents a commitment to changing that narrative," said Precious Anderson, chair of the Ogimaawin Indigenous Education Council.

"It is about honouring our teachings, languages, and communities, and this partnership, rooted in the spirit of reconciliation, helps bring that vision to life in a powerful and lasting way." 

While there have been a few setbacks to implementing the project's vision — namely changes in government, funding challenges and the growing costs of construction — Baxter said she's happy to see the work move ahead.

"To me, that's a very deep and rich and embedded process," she said.

Her hope is to see a groundbreaking ceremony held for the outdoor Indigenous learning space in either the summer or fall, though there are a number of other construction projects on deck in the area. 

"I think sooner than later would be the best barometer I can give … because it's not a huge project, but it's still a building project."