Lambton College celebrated the future site of the Indigenous Outdoor Gathering Space Wednesday morning.
Over 100 people gathered at the tree-encircled grounds on the south end of the campus for the site preparation ceremony.
The site was first announced about a year ago. Indigenous Education Director Jane Manning said Wednesday marked the beginning of the next step.
"It's not truly the beginning, because we've talked about all those phases up to this point, but everyday feels like another beginning," said Manning. "And this morning, on this particular day of what we know as Solidarity Day, what a beautiful beginning to the day."
The goal of the site is to provide First Nations students with a safe spot to feel empowered and to connect with their culture. It will also provide opportunities for people to learn about Indigenous culture, and it will serve as the host site for ceremonies and events.
Manning said the school is hoping to open site in fall of 2024.
"Knowing that next phase is just a small -- I can touch it! It's just right around the corner for that next phase," she said. "And pretty soon we'll be back here and we'll be celebrating our grand opening."
During Wednesday's ceremony, College President and CEO Rob Kardas emphasized that the site is not the Lambton College Indigenous Outdoor Gathering Space, but rather the Indigenous Outdoor Gathering Space at Lambton College. Manning said she loved this comment.
"What is says to me is the college is saying 'we're not showing ownership of that space. Yes, it's on Lambton College campus and grounds, but we want this space to be about the First Nation communities and Indigenous learners,'" she said.
Manning added that the college recognizes the importance of giving something back.
"A lot of those horrific things that happened to Indigenous people, it really speaks to the understanding that the western education system was part of that," said Manning. "That was 'we're going to educate your people and trust us and we're going to take them from you and they're going to be better.'"
Manning also said that the project is nine years in the making and that it began with the school's Indigenous Education Council.
"It was something that was said 'we need to start here and we need to at least identify this is a need here,'" she said. "For people to feel like they belong, that they have space here, that their presence is valued, and this can show that."
Suncor Energy has contributed $600,000 toward the creation of the space.
