[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/Will-and-Arnie.jpg” caption=”McMaster enjoys a number of connections with the Six Nations community. William Coleman, who helped found both the indigenous studies program at the University as well as Six Nations Polytechnic, is seen here with Onondaga Chief Arnold General. Photo by Garnette Crawford.”]
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It was with this logic that the President's Advisory Committee on Building an Inclusive Community (PACBIC) approached Rick Monture, acting director of the Indigenous Studies Program, for a tour of the Six Nations of the Grand River Indian Reserve. PACBIC's members wanted a glimpse of modern aboriginal life in an attempt to better understand the needs of McMaster's indigenous community members and wanted to take advantage of the University's close proximity to the reserve.

"We need to know about the experiences of the Six Nations people," said PACBIC member and peer health education coordinator Pearl Mendonca, originally from Brantford, Ont., which borders the reserve. "By better understanding native culture and lifestyle we can better help aboriginal students get the most out of their post-secondary education."

The tour, which took PACBIC members through Brantford, Six Nations and Caledonia, began at the Woodland Cultural Centre, formerly a residential school, where PACBIC was told about the history, language and cultural heritage of the Anishinaabe and Onkwehon:we people. The group also toured an exhibit highlighting the works of celebrated aboriginal poet Pauline Johnson.

From here Monture took PACBIC to Six Nations Polytechnic, a native-focused learning institution with ties to McMaster, where the group learned about the Six Nations and their people's long history in the area. This was followed by a traditional lunch and a tour of points of interests located on the reserve.

"It was a highly productive day for all of us," said Monture. "It was very useful in reaffirming the connections between McMaster and Six Nations as well as in demystifying some of the concepts of native life."

PACBIC's route home took them through Caledonia, site of a land dispute which has brought the issue of native land claims into popular consciousness. Here, Monture gave the group some of the historical context in which the dispute is based.

"The most important thing I took away from the day is that we have to ensure services at post-secondary institutions are developed with an understanding of the experience of indigenous students," said Mendonca. "The tour really sparked my interest in learning more about the needs of aboriginal students on campus."

New members are always welcome to join PACBIC. The committee's next general meeting is scheduled for Thursday, May 13.

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