Aboriginal Elders’ Teaching Series at Lakehead-Orillia

he Lakehead University Office of Aboriginal Initiatives, in collaboration with the Orillia Student Affairs department, is again offering the popular Aboriginal Elders’ Teaching Series, beginning January 26, 2012, and features a number of new faces.

Elders from local Aboriginal communities, including Vern Altiman, Gertie Beaucage, Hector Copegog and Steve Beaupre, will be leading the weekly traditional teachings offered at Lakehead University’s Orillia campus.

This year, the sessions will take place on Thursday evenings from 5:30 to 8:30 pm in Room 2008 at the University Avenue academic building, beginning January 26.  The weekly sessions are free (including free parking) and are open to the public. Each week participants will learn about and discuss a variety of topics related to Aboriginal culture.

Elders are the essential link to the past and to the future and they are keepers of traditional knowledge, cultural and spiritual values and practices, and language. The role of the Elder is to provide vision, leadership and guidance to the Lakehead University community on Aboriginal teachings.

Dates and topics:

January 26 – Women’s Traditional Roles (Gertie Beaucage)

February 2 – Men’s Traditional Roles (Vern Altiman)

February 9 – 7 Stages of a Good Life (Hector Copegog)

February 16 – Environmental Relationships (Gertie Beaucage)

February 23 – READING WEEK (no session)

March 1 – Residential Schools (Steve Beaupre)

March 8 – Traditional Therapeutic Models (Vern Altiman)

March 15 – 7 Grandfather Teachings (Hector Copegog)

March 22 – Métis 101 (Senator Ruth Wagner)

March 29 – Farewell Feast (All Elders)

For more information, contact April Jones, Lakehead University Orillia Aboriginal Liaison Advisor, at: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 705-330-4008 ext. 2018.