Several people were in awe to see the long-awaited Indigenous Outdoor Space (IOS) at Lambton College.
More than 10 years in the making, the IOS was officially unveiled on Thursday, June 18.
IOS Steering Committee member and Walpole Island First Nation Elder Marie Short said she felt overwhelmed and emotional to see the finished gathering space.
"It's taken a long time to do this, but what really makes me happy is what's going to come in the future," Short said. "It's going to be a place where they feel comfortable -- the students who come here."
The outdoor space is located at the southern edge of the school property, surrounded by cedar trees.
Lambton College Director of Indigenous Education Jane Manning said when the project was envisioned in 2014 as part of the Indigenous Academic and Student Success Plan, they didn't know how the finished product would turn out. Plans took off once the school received a $600,000 donation from Suncor Energy.
Manning said the steering committee was formed, and a lot of time and energy went into getting the space right. During the planning process, they received a lot of feedback about what the site should include and the importance of having natural elements.
"They wanted things that are going to be representative of their identity as Indigenous people and they wanted those symbolisms to be able to connect to it, to look to it, to spark conversations," Manning said.
Plans were officially unveiled in 2022, and construction ramped up in 2024.
"Now, seeing it come to life and the excitement that we hear and feel today is exactly what we were hoping for," Manning said.
She said the next steps will be to put policies and procedures in place.
"But also programming," Manning added. "Our priority is giving back to Indigenous people, so those are our Indigenous learners, our Indigenous community members. Also, it's about helping with Indigenous-focused professional development for non-Indigenous people as well."
Lambton College President and CEO Rob Kardas referenced the importance of having a dedicated space as a commitment to Truth and Reconciliation.
"Lambton College bears a responsibility to not only acknowledge the truth of the past and present but to help build a better future by giving back what was taken from Indigenous learners, families, and communities under the guise of education," Kardas said in a speech. "The Indigenous outdoor space is an example of that responsibility in action."
He thanked multiple groups and individuals who supported the project, including donors, the Lambton College Board of Governors, members of the Indigenous Education Council, and the steering committee.
"Simply put, this space would not exist without their commitment. When you go into this building and see it and experience it, I hope you will think of the steering committee and everything they gave of themselves to make such an outstanding space possible," he said.
Kardas said the unveiling marks one of the most significant days at Lambton College.
The IOS' design was overseen by Architects Tillman Ruth Robinson and Red Quill, and led by Wanda Dalla Costa, who is the first First Nations woman architect in Canada.
