Confederation College opens new Indigenous outdoor learning space in Thunder Bay, Ont.

A new Indigenous outdoor learning space at Confederation College's campus in Thunder Bay, Ont., aims to encourage land-based education outside of traditional classroom settings.

Anwebiiwining, which means "a place to rest" in Anishinaabemowin, is located beside the Shuniah building. It consists of a wooden structure with benches, fire pits, a tanning area and a traditional medicine garden.

A grand opening was held on Thursday with a blessing and song from Elder Sheila DeCorte of Fort William First Nation.

"We have a lot of students coming from First Nation communities, and this is a whole different world for them so having a safespace that's nature-based is really important," said Michelle Salo, president of Confederation College.

While all staff and students are welcome there, the space will especially be used by those in the Indigenous Community Advocacy: Naamaadaagewin program and the Onajigawin Indigenous Services program.

"Coming to a space like this offers not only a safe space, but a place to ponder, to think, to just connect with nature and get your mind back into where it needs to be," said Wendy Landry of Red Rock Indian Band, who is the college's vice president of Indigenous leadership, partnerships and strategies.

Participants of the grand opening gathered to enjoy bannock and fall tea while listening to a performance by Sara Kae of Lake Helen First Nation.

Learning at a different pace

Pam Burton, co-ordinator of the Onajigawin Indigenous Services program, said she hopes to bring her students to Anwebiiwining for moments of peace amid their hectic schedules.

"I think out here, learning will be at a different pace. We can sit, we can gather, we can debrief, we can share stories," Burton said.

The structure is also electrified, which means lessons and activities can be livestreamed at the college's other campuses and beyond.

Burton said the space will also help the college decolonize education through traditional teachings and healings that support a more organic way of learning.

Serena Dykstra, co-ordinator of the Naamaadaagewin program, similarly expressed her hopes for integrating the space into her students' routines.

"We all learn differently, and not all of us do well in a traditionally colonial environment where there is a speaker at the front and you're just sitting in [a] stationary desk," Dykstra said.

"Another thing is that it does get us back to a more traditional way of learning, and it opens our minds to other ways of learning that we can find law in the river, in the water, in the trees, that we can find advocacy outside of the four walls of a classroom."

Salo said members of the public will also be invited to participate in events atAnwebiiwiningas part of the college's commitment to truth and reconciliation.

However, the students themselves are being encouraged to lead the way in what they want to see happen there.

"The most important part is asking our students how they see themselves reflected in this learning space," said Burton.