Gathering to Heal: Algonquin College Responds to Mural Vandalism

Posted on Monday, February 3rd, 2020

OTTAWA — Students, employees and friends of Algonquin College will be participating in a special ceremony in an effort to bring the community together following an act of vandalism.

Gathering to Heal will be hosted by Ron (Deganadus) McLester, Algonquin’s Vice President, Truth, Reconciliation and Indigenization, and will include a prayer from an elder, Indigenous drumming, and dance. The event will be held in the shadow of the defaced mural, which has been left visible in an effort to acknowledge the pain it has caused Indigenous learners and employees at the College, as well as the broader community.

On the evening of Jan. 28, a three-story mural in the College’s DARE District was defaced. The mural, which took seven months to complete, holds special significance as it tells the creation story of many Indigenous peoples.

The College hopes that in holding this event, it will take a divisive act and use it to bring the community together to find strength and healing. All are welcome.

— 30 —

Gathering to Heal

Date: Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2020
Time: 1:30 p.m.
Location: DARE District, Ottawa Campus, 1385 Woodroffe Ave., Ottawa

Please note: Media should be aware that some portions of this event cannot be recorded or filmed, in keeping with Indigenous protocol. Please contact Ruth Dunley or Chris Lackner in advance or on site prior to any audio/visual recording.


Please RSVP to:
Ruth Dunley
Communications Manager
Algonquin College
Office: 613-727-4723 ext. 6452
Mobile: 613-406-0970
dunleyr@algonquincollege.com

 

Chris Lackner

Communications Officer

Algonquin College

Office: 613-727-4723 ext. 2091

Mobile: 613-220-3479

lacknec@algonquincollege.com

About Algonquin College:
The mission of Algonquin College of Applied Arts and Technology is to transform hopes and dreams into lifelong success. Algonquin College, an Ontario public sector community college, does this by offering hands-on, digitally connected, experiential learning in more than 185 programs. Based in the Ottawa Valley, Algonquin College is the largest polytechnic institute in Eastern Ontario.


Comments

Comments are closed.