STU’s Elders-in-Residence Helping Indigenous Students Feel at Home

STU’s Elders-in-Residence Elizabeth Augustine and Ron Tremblay (spasaqsit possesom) want Indigenous students to feel at home at STU.

 

“I hope to bring students a sense of home and the comfort of knowing they are not alone. Some students may have trouble adjusting to living away from home and need greater support. I will be available for Indigenous students for support, guidance, understanding, compassion, and maybe just a good hug,” Augustine said.

“When students realize that they have a place to go between classes, to hang out with other Indigenous students or participate in cultural activities, they will learn about who they are, where they come from and learn their language around the table.”

 

The elders work closely with Sonja Perley in the Wabanaki Centre, located on the second floor of Sir James Dunn Hall, and provide a link between the University and Indigenous communities.

 

They are also responsible for organizing cultural and ceremonial events, hosting guests and visiting Elders, and providing guidance to administration, faculty and staff on Indigenous cultural practices, traditions and protocol. 

 

Tremblay said his priority is for students to feel they have a place where they belong and feel safe.  

 

“It’s important that students have a space to talk, share, cry, and laugh, a sense of connection,” he said.

 

“I base my whole teachings around humility, bravery, respect, and balance. A lot of those attributes were taught to me by the elders in my life through ceremonies and being with my teachers. Now, I can put forward these attributes.”

 

Elizabeth Augustine has a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Education from STU and has spent much of her career as an educator. She has worked at Elsipogtog First Nation School as a Mi’kmaq Culture and Language Coordinator, was a Health and Wellness Coordinator, and taught elementary and middle school. A fluent Mi’kmaq speaker and translator, she taught Mi’kmaq language courses at STU, UNB, and in her community of Elsipogtog. She is a Spiritual Elder, Sundancer, sweat lodge keeper and a sacred pipe carrier.

 

Ron Tremblay (spasaqsit possesom) is a citizen of Wolastokuk who was surrounded by Wolastoqey language spoken fluently in his home. He credits his mother and grandparents for his love of Wolastoqey language and providing him the true teachings of life.

 

After moving to Fredericton in 1991, he befriended several Elders from the region. They guided him deeper Wolastoqey traditional ways, and after years of involvement in ceremonies with his teachers, spasaqsit possesom gained wisdom and knowledge of the “Wolastoqey Way of Life.” Still today, spasaqsit possesom practices the traditional ways of Wolastoqewiyik.

 

In November of 2016, Tremblay was installed as Traditional Wolastoqewi-Grand Chief. The mandate of Wolastoqey Grand Council is to protect and preserve Wolastokuk, their non-ceded traditional homeland, waterways, ceremonies and language.