Five vinyl OKI greetings have been installed throughout Turcotte Hall.
Designed by Isskotaahyii (Returns Home) Danielle Viel, executive assistant to the dean in the Faculty of Education, the installations are located in the Turcotte Hall foyer, inside the second and third floor halls, at reception on the fourth floor and in the Curriculum Lab.
In designing the OKI sign, my goal was to convey to my Indigenous community that they are warmly welcomed and deeply respected, while also honoring the vital connection between our community, the University of Lethbridge and the land. This effort is part of our ongoing commitment to Truth and Reconciliation within the Faculty of Education.
In 2023, the University of Lethbridge celebrated the arrival of the ULethbridge OKI sign, the result of an initiative that sought out to celebrate Blackfoot culture, language and the important role that “Oki” serves as a symbol of respect, understanding and reconciliation throughout the community of Sikóóhkotok (Lethbridge). The Faculty of Education is dedicated to building on this initiative.
“Creating a visual presence that is inclusive of Blackfoot language and culture is a powerful reminder that we must work daily to pursue Truth and Reconciliation as well as honour the Blackfoot people and their ways of knowing,” says Dr. Lisa Starr, dean of the Faculty of Education. “My hope is that our students, especially our Blackfoot and other Indigenous students, see themselves reflected in the Faculty of Education. We honour and value the lived experience of our Blackfoot community members and recognize how integral their knowledge is to becoming a teacher, leader or counsellor that serves people and communities.”
The symbols on each letter of the OKI sign represent different aspects of Indigenous education and history within the Faculty of Education. Audio recordings explaining the meaning behind each symbol can be found here. The recordings are voiced by kii Nitsikainaakii (Sunwoman) Annette Fox-BruisedHead (BSc ’00, BEd ’02, MEd ’10), who served as a consultant for Indigenous Education with the Faculty of Education providing support for elder relationship-building, in-class Indigenous education and information sharing.
Creating a space that identifies and connects to the local Blackfoot culture within academia has created a clear understanding that the work must always continue to be meaningful and relevant to all involved in pursuing Truth and Reconciliation.
A triple alumna from the University of Lethbridge, Annette’s journey as an educator includes holding positions as a teacher, assistant principal, deputy superintendent and being recently appointed as principal of the Lethbridge Collegiate Institute.
“Being part of the Faculty of Education through many transformations has been a rewarding experience,” says Annette.
In 2023, the Blackfoot name Inniookaksin, meaning Bison wisdom, was bestowed upon the Faculty of Education by Iikaisskini (Low Horn) Dr. Leroy Little Bear (BASc (BA) ’72, DASc ’04), vice-provost, Iniskim Indigenous Relations. A formal date for the official naming ceremony is forthcoming.