Last week, MacLachlan College hosted a special assembly and presentation on Inuit history and culture, called “Nomad,” by Dr. Susan Aglukark, O.C., a renowned Juno awarding winning Inuit singer and passionate speaker.
MacLachlan’s Grade 5 to 12 students and special guests from the community were moved by Dr. Aglukark’s description of how Inuit people in Canada have had to adapt over the last century due to rapid change and adversity affecting their social, spiritual and cultural traditions dating back thousands of years.
The presentation highlighted the quiet dignity, determination and resilience of Inuit people, despite the many challenges they have faced. Dr. Aglukark shared how she continues to learn about her own history and heritage, and how it inspires her music and activism regarding issues facing Inuit and Indigenous peoples.
The special assembly also marked the beginning of MacLachlan’s Mindful Nation: A Vision for Canada’s Future project, a year-long celebration in recognition of Canada’s 150th anniversary of Confederation. Throughout the year, students will be guided through learning experiences using the themes of acknowledging our past, looking forward to the future and being in the present today.
Dr. Aglukark will return to MacLachlan on May 27th for a community celebration which will include Indigenous dancers and drummers, the unveiling of an Indigenous art installation, a gathering with pen pals from a First Nations School to encourage students to share their experiences, and the presentation of the first annual Dr. Susan Aglukark Award for Inuk Culture and History.
