UPEI Aboriginal Student Association holds Cultural Connections event on March 27

The UPEI Aboriginal Student Association, in partnership with the Native Council of PEI, will hold an event called Cultural Connections: Building Our Future Through Education on Friday, March 27, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., in the W. A Murphy Student Centre on campus.

During the event, members of the local First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities will share their cultures through dancing, drumming, singing, talking circles, traditional teachings, crafts and more.

'This is a wonderful opportunity for artists, leaders, and Elders to share their spirit and wisdom,' says coordinator Julie Bull. 'It will also convey the message that UPEI welcomes all individuals, regardless of culture, ethnicity, or background. Diversity and education are the keys to change and to the future of our province.'

A fundraising event for the UPEI Aboriginal Student Association, Cultural Connections will include singers, dancers, drummers, prayers, discussion circle and storytelling by Elders, native games, craft making and selling, traditional food and clothing, and information booths set up by the Mi'kmaq Confederacy, Native Council, Hep'ed up on Life, NCPEI youth, Native Alcohol and Drug Awareness Program and the Aboriginal Women's Association. Children can have fun in the kids' corner, with a small teepee and NCPEI youth color and activity books.

The UPEI Aboriginal Student Association has been established to celebrate and share with others the cultural diversity of Aboriginal peoples on campus and throughout the community. Recently the association opened the Maoi Omi Aboriginal Student Centre on campus where aboriginal students can study, relax, share with one another, host events, have talking circles, and access support services while attending UPEI.

For more information or draft schedule, please contact Ashley Jadis or Stephanie Jadis at 620-5126 or email sjadis@upei.ca or ajadis@upei.ca.