OHSWEKEN, ON –July 10, 2017 – On July 24, close to 3,000 Indigenous educators will gather at Chiefswood Park in Six Nations to celebrate the opening ceremonies of the World Indigenous Peoples Conference on Education (WIPCE). The opening ceremonies will provide a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for people from around the world to celebrate the resiliency of Indigenous people. This international gathering is open to the public and everyone is welcome to attend.
The Hodinohso:ni Confederacy Chiefs Council will greet visitors with a welcoming ceremony based upon the traditional way in which visitors were greeted. Since the 17th Century, it has been used to start Treaty Council meetings.
During the greeting, the Hodinohso:ni Chiefs will metaphorically wipe away any tears the visitors may have from the grief that comes from the passing of a loved one so that hope can be restored; clear the ears so that good words can be heard; and clear the throat so that the visitor will be able to speak clearly. This ensures that there will be good communication between host and visitor and that the visitors will be clear-minded and not allow lingering trauma to interfere with a good exchange of ideas.
WIPCE draws Indigenous representatives such as First Nations (Canada), Native Americans (USA), Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples (Australia), Maori (New Zealand), Ainu (Japan), Sami (Norway), and more, to share successes and strategies for culturally grounded Indigenous education over a period of five days. This year’s triennial conference is hosted by Six Nations Polytechnic, with Tap Resources, and will take place at various locations in Six Nations, and Toronto, from July 24-28.
Due to the flooding of Toronto Island, the WIPCE opening ceremonies are being relocated to Chiefswood Park. Transportation will be provided to registered conference delegates traveling from Toronto to Six Nations.
WIPCE Opening Ceremonies Information:
Date & Time: July 24, 2017, 1:00 p.m. (Gates open to the public at 12:45 p.m.)
Location: 1037 Highway 54, Ohsweken, ON
For more information, visit www.wipce2017.com.
Quotes:
“The WIPCE conference continues to lead the discussion on contemporary movements in education that support Indigenous worldviews. The opening ceremonies provide a once-in-a-lifetime chance for the public to participate in an international Indigenous cultural and knowledge exchange. Everyone is welcome to attend. ”
- Rebecca Jamieson, President/CEO, Six Nations Polytechnic.
“We are confident that the opening ceremonies will provide a beautiful space for our delegates to be introduced to and welcomed by the host committee.”
- Tuesday JohnsonMacDonald, President, Tap Resources
“The opening ceremonies will be an extraordinary event. The Haudenosaunee, one of the oldest continuously operating traditional governments will be welcoming Indigenous people from around the world. The Chiefs of the Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, Seneca, and Tuscarora will call upon their ancient tradition of greeting visitors to our land. It will be beautiful and quite moving.”
- Rick Hill, Bundled Arrows Initiative Advisor
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