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Indigenous Olds College

Oki, Tannishi, Tawâw

Olds College of Agriculture & Technology is located in the traditional territories of the Niitsitapi (Blackfoot) and the people of the Treaty 7 region in Southern Alberta, which includes the Siksika, the Piikani, the Kainai, the Tsuut’ina and the Stoney Nakoda First Nations. The area is also home to Métis Nation of Alberta, District 3.

At Olds College, our goal is to foster an environment of mutual respect and trust among all learners. Indigenous students, along with members of faculty and staff at the College have expressed a desire to have spaces on campus that reflect the rich history and culture of Indigenous people.

With respect to the recommendations put forth in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada report (2015), it is both our desire and responsibility to support Indigenous learners in an honest, respectful and welcoming manner as they pursue their studies at Olds College. 

We strive to learn from Indigenous students and their families, and to embrace opportunities to learn about Indigenous knowledge and ways of knowing. In step with Indigenous learners, we work to build credible and sustainable relationships with Indigenous communities.

The Gathering Room

The Gathering Room is located in the North side of the Learning Commons in the Learing Resource Centre building. This is a place for students of all backgrounds to share knowledge, as well as receive teachings and support from the Knowledge Keeper in Residence and Elders from the area.

Inside the Gathering Room, you are welcome to smudge, visit and enjoy tea/coffee/hot chocolate. Special events — such as Wellbriety, beading, meditations, soup & bannock and Indian taco days — are held in the Gathering Room throughout the year celebrating Indigenous cultures.

Come on in… everyone is welcome!

Gathering Room Events

Watch your weekly newsletters and the shared Google calendars for Student Events and Staff/Faculty Events for more details on events in the Gathering Room.

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    Smudging & Prayer

    Indigenous smudging and prayer are spiritual practices used for cleansing, purification, and connecting with the spirit world.

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    Meditation & Yoga

    Wednesdays at noon, we have meditation and yoga in the Gathering Room.

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    Lunch Events

    The Indigenous Services Team serves Soup & Bannock or Indian Tacos for lunch once a month from 11 to 1 p.m. in the Gathering Room.

Celebrate Indigenous Culture

Medicine Wheel 12 Steps

Medicine Wheel 12 Step (Wellbriety) will gather weekly on Wednesdays starting at 4:30 p.m. for snacks in the Gathering Room with the Medicine Wheel 12 Step teachings to follow from 5 to 6:30 p.m..

This program is open to everyone whether there are addictions or not. Medicine Wheel 12 Step teachings develop a strong sense of self and encourage personal growth for anyone who participates.

This is hosted by a trained facilitator and elder led. The public is welcome to attend any Wednesday meeting.

Download the Indigenous Services Card

Olds College Indigenous Relationship Building Strategy

At Olds College, our goal is to foster an environment of respect and trust among all learners, staff and guests. We humbly recognize that our Canadian history informs current and future action, and we wish to support Indigenous learners in an honest, truthful, and accountable manner as they pursue their studies with us.  We strive to learn from Indigenous students and their families; we embrace opportunities to learn about Indigenous knowledge, and Indigenous ways of knowing. In step with these values and in the spirit of reconciliation, we will work to build credible and sustainable relationships with Indigenous learners here on campus, and their families, communities, and Nations as well.

Priorities

Recognizing that Olds College is a crossroads for many cultures and peoples we strive to:

  • Nurture an inclusive campus culture that values Indigenous peoples, and ways of knowing and being
  • Enhance Indigenous students’ experience at OC 
  • Strengthen and build relationships with Indigenous Communities
  • Develop institutional practices and spaces for Indigenous learners 
  • Support faculty and staff to develop greater understanding of Indigenous ways and assist them in incorporating this newly acquired knowledge into curriculum in meaningful and tangible ways
  • Become a college of choice for Indigenous students

  • Olds College has officially signed the Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan) Indigenous Protocol that was developed by CICan with its members and partners in the Indigenous communities. Founded on seven principles, the protocol underscores the importance of structures and approaches required to address Indigenous peoples’ learning needs and support self-determination and socio-economic development of Indigenous communities. 

    CICan member organizations who sign on to the protocol:

    1. Commit to making Indigenous education a priority

    2. Ensure governance structures recognize and respect Indigenous peoples

    3. Implement intellectual and cultural traditions of Indigenous peoples through curriculum and learning approaches relevant to learners and communities

    4. Support students and employees to increase understanding and reciprocity among Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples

    5. Commit to increasing the number of Indigenous employees with ongoing appointments throughout the institution, including Indigenous senior administrators

    6. Establish Indigenous-centred holistic services and learning environments for learner success

    7. Build relationships and be accountable to Indigenous communities in support of self-determination through education, training and applied research

Indigenous Services

403.507.7944
Indigenous@oldscollege.ca