Flight of Knowledge: Our Indigenous Education Award
Hello Everyone,
We have received an award!
The Indigenous Community Research Partnerships training resource team was honoured at an award ceremony held on Queen’s University campus on October 17th, 2023.
Queen’s Office of the Principal and Vice-Chancellor, in partnership with the Office of Indigenous Initiatives, offers an award called the Indigenous Education Award, part of the Principal’s Teaching and Learning Awards. You can read more about it here. There was a university-wide reception, with announcements for each of the awards, and inspiring speeches.
The big surprise of the evening was that the Indigenous Education Award included a carving, titled Flight of Knowledge.
“As we all live on Mother Earth (a.k.a Turtle Island) we progressively plant seeds of many sorts in hopes of growth. To grow strong like a tree with grounded roots that branch out to many endeavors and different paths reaching for the sky from one solid foundation. Together in collaboration we can provide one another with different ideas, education, and knowledge to achieve our goals. ‘Flight of Knowledge’ symbolizes the message of teamwork, collaboration and education that builds relationships. Resources, and cultural knowledge can provide the proper tools needed to implement practical use in everyday life which is good medicine.”
-Steven Loney, Artist
We have been very fortunate to have a strong team of Indigenous and non-Indigenous scholars with a growing number of community members in support of the development and use of the training resource. The training resource has been designed to ‘engage the heart’ and to support people on a journey of learning.
The awards event was a wonderful opportunity to reflect on what it means to value one another and work together towards a shared vision, with mutual respect and reciprocal learning.
Thank you, to all of you for your ideas, encouragement, and the goodwill you bring to the training resource.
Best wishes,
Janet