Aug. 26, 2019 -- Aanii. Anishinaabemowin speakers have given Laurentian University a new look over the summer, translating the new trilingual signs throughout campus. Starting this semester, all members of our community will be greeted by signs in English, French, and Anishinaabemowin, the language of the land upon which Laurentian is situated.
We wish to thank Dr. Mary Anne Corbiere for her hard work on this project, as well as for her efforts in keeping Anishinaabemowin strong over the past 25 years. As a faculty member in the Indigenous Studies program at the University of Sudbury, she continues to be a linchpin for revitalizing the language. We also wish to thank Dominic and Brenda Beaudry of Akinomaagewin Consulting, as well as Isadore Toulouse. Carole Perreault provided crucial logistics on the project. The speakers of Anishinaabemowin play key roles in ensuring that Anishinaabemowin thrives and remains vital. We owe them a debt of gratitude that can never be adequately repaid.
Everyone in the Laurentian University community works to honour the Robinson-Huron Treaty, the 169-year-old agreement which lays out the relationship between the Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples of this land. Our institution is on Anishinaabe territory, particularly of the Atikameksheng Anishnawbek. We also acknowledge Wahnapitae First Nation, on whose territory Sudbury partially sits. Our institution is proud to honour the treaty in word and action.
The change in signage is part of our Imagine 2023 Strategic Plan, which aims to make our university the school of choice for northern, francophone, and Indigenous students from across the world.
QUOTES
“With Laurentian University sitting on Atikameksheng Anishnawbek Territory, I am ecstatic to know that the history and language of the Anishinawbek people is being recognized throughout the university through trilingual signs.” — Valerie Richer, Chief of Atikameksheng Anishinawbek
“We are proud of our new signage. Our tricultural mandate is always top of mind, and appropriately representing this across our campus is an important step. Promoting engagement with and learning of Anishinaabemowin is a priority identified in our strategic plan and I look forward to our continuing support of this.” — Dr. Robert Haché, President and Vice-Chancellor of Laurentian University
“It is uplifting for our First Nation to see the Anishnaabemowin language recognized and used at Laurentian University. I have not only received positive comments from our members at Wahnapitae First Nation, but also from other First Nations as well.“ — Larry Roque, Chief of Wahnapitae First Nation