SINCE 1944
VOLUME 80 ISSUE 4
October 15, 2024
Student run since 1944
2
BU charity fashion show holds Rubber Ducky Golf Tournament
6 BU golf on a roll
10 The truth about the
5
Student mobilization is key to institutional accountability
9
12 Kwigw8mna: Building a
Bishop’s Pre-Law Society kicks off an exciting semester!
A
s Truth and Reconciliation Week drew to a close, Bishop’s University highlighted the national holiday with various activities led by the Indigenous Student Support Centre (ISSC). The week also provided an opportunity to highlight the ongoing construction of Kwigw8mna, formerly known as Divinity House, which is being transformed into a new centre for the Indigenous community at Bishop’s. The centre and an accompanying documentary both carry deep significance, helping the Indigenous community reconnect with a piece of land that was historically theirs. The Kwigw8mna House is designed to be a home away from home, as noted by Shawna Chatterton-Jerome, coordinator of Indigenous student support services. Kwigw8mna will feature a communal kitchen, a library, gathering spaces for Indigenous peoples and quiet study rooms in the basement. The upper floor will house an apartment-
style section where relatives and guest speakers can stay for short periods, offering Indigenous students a gathering place free from external pressures— a space where they can thrive to be their authentic selves. The building is not just under construction; it represents the creation of a community that has long needed attention and care. The individuals behind this project had to advocate for their vision and communicate their needs clearly. Their voices had to be heard for this project to come to life. The building itself embodies the voices of Indigenous peoples, advocating for themselves after generations of being silenced and marginalised. Now, they have a space where they can speak as loudly and clearly as ever before. While Shawna Chattetron-Jerome acknowledged a few challenges along the way, she emphasised that the
@thebishopscampus
upcoming humanities week
legacy of resilience
Photo courtesy of Emily Crunican
Economics & Business: Kwigw8mna: Building a legacy of resilience By Megane Masson - Contributor
1
Read more on page 12
News: National week of truth and reconciliation 2024: Bishop’s University and collaborators reflect on Canada’s shared By Julie-Ann Vollant-Whittemore Contributor
identities, leaving lasting trauma across generations.
he National Week of Truth and Reconciliation took place from Sept. 20 to Oct. 4, 2024 at Bishop’s University, in collaboration with Champlain College, Estrie Higher Education, Cégep de Sherbrooke, and Université de Sherbrooke. This two-week period focused on educating and raising awareness around the legacy of Residential Schools and fostering reconciliation between Indigenous and nonIndigenous communities.
Why Truth and Reconciliation Matters
T
At the heart of these events was a commitment to confront Canada’s historical mistreatment of Indigenous peoples, particularly through the Indian Residential School system, which operated for over a century. This system forcibly removed Indigenous children from their families to attend state-funded religious schools to erase Indigenous cultures, languages, and
Layout design by Melanie Toppa
Truth and Reconciliation Week offers an opportunity for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous people to reflect on this dark chapter in Canada’s history. It’s about acknowledging the past and understanding the ongoing impacts on Indigenous communities today. The week’s events at Bishop’s University emphasized the significance of reconciliation—a process aimed at repairing harm caused by colonial policies and creating a future rooted in mutual respect. Shawna Jerome, a support worker at the Indigenous Student Support Center (ISSC), stressed the importance of participation: “This history belongs to all of us. It is Read more on page 3
thebucampus.ca