CASS will hand out samples in Vari Hall, from 11:30am to 3pm. There will also be information on events happening downtown June 21.

“Three sisters soup is a traditional dish that not only tastes delicious, but it shows how advanced the Aboriginal people were with agriculture,” says Amber Wynne, student peer leader at CASS.  Wynne say the three sisters vegetable garden, comprised of corn, beans and squash, works together, as “the corn would take the nitrogen from the soil, which was readily replenished by the bean plant, and the squash leaves would keep the soil moist by protecting it from the sun”.

Inside the  Centre for Aboriginal Student Services

In celebration of the 16th Annual National Aboriginal Day, CASS is bringing the event to the students, staff and faculty at 91��ɫ.

“It’s important to recognize and celebrate the rich culture and history behind Indigenous peoples, while promoting inclusion and unity among all nations,” says Jolene John, CASS administrative assistant. CASS would like to “share the diverse cultures of First Nations, Inuit and Metis people while also promoting awareness that Indigenous people are here and thriving,” says John.

The National Indian Brotherhood, now the Assembly of First Nations, first called for a National Aboriginal Day in 1982. It was to be a day that commemorated Aboriginal solidarity.

In 1995, The Sacred Assembly (a national conference of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people) once again called for a national holiday to celebrate the contributions of Aboriginal peoples. Finally, in 1996 former Governor General Romeo LeBlanc declared June 21 as National Aboriginal Day.

Some events that will be taking place in the Toronto area are as follows:

June 18 to 23
Art Show
Sponsored by the Toronto District School Board Aboriginal Education Centre
Toronto City Hall Rotunda, 100 Queen St. W.

June 21
National Aboriginal Day Sunrise Ceremony & Flag Raising
Podium Roof, Toronto City Hall, 100 Queen St. W.
5:30am

Celebrate the summer solstice with First Nations’ dancing, drumming and a sunset ceremony
Fort 91��ɫ National Historic Site, 250 Fort 91��ɫ Blvd.
6pm to sunset

All My Relations’ National Aboriginal Day
Allendale Gardens Park
12pm to 6pm

June 23
Na-Me-Rez Outdoor Traditional Powwow
Wells Hills Park, East of Bathurst & St. Clair West
Grand Entry starts at 12pm

June 29
Scarbourough Powwow
20 Waldock St., Scarborough, Ontario
Sunrise ceremony at 5:30am
Grand Entry at 12pm

June 30
Aboriginal History Month Celebration Event @ Dundas Square
Sponsored by the Native Canadian Centre of Toronto
12 to 8pm

For more information about celebrations that will be taking place around National Aboriginal Day, visit the Government of Canada’s website.

For more information on Aboriginal services, visit the website or stop by the centre at 246 91��ɫ Lanes.

Republished courtesy of YFile– 91��ɫ’s daily e-bulletin.

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The task force is charged with consulting Canadians from across the country to inform a national strategy, and Neil Britto, Adnan Raja and Justin Yan – undergraduate student researchers working with Professor Brenda Spotton Visano on the 91��ɫ Community Finance Project – thought it was an ideal opportunity to share their own research findings and expertise.

Above: From left, Adnan Raja, Professor Brenda Spotton Visano, Neil Britto and Justin Yan

The students presented on the importance and role self-assessment resources can play in improving financial literacy. It’s a topic they know a lot about – they’ve been working on a self-assessment tool that aims to improve financial literacy in the Black Creek community and in under-resourced urban communities beyond.

As Britto noted, self-assessment tools provide the opportunity to examine one’s own ability. Typically, they consist of a set of questions categorized by a specific topic or situation. In terms of financial literacy, he said that self-assessment tools often appear in the form of a questionnaire or a workbook. The one they’ve been developing is an online questionnaire that is intuitive enough to provide customized, educational feedback and links to further resources.

“Self-assessment is an important component to improving financial literacy because it allows individuals to acquire a greater understanding of what it is they do know and what it is they need to know,” said Britto. “When structured effectively, self-assessment resources can help individuals to tap into their personal financial goals and to acquire a better sense of what they need to make more informed financial choices.”

One of the primary goals the students have is to take their research findings and the online tool and bring them out into the community. Presenting to the task force seemed like an ideal opportunity to speak directly to a group who has the capacity to influence policy. It was also a chance for them to provide input around the issue of how communities can be better linked and equipped with financial education resources and infrastructure.

“The students’ presentation was exceptionally well-delivered and well-received by the task force committee members,” said Spotton Visano. “They took a high-level interest in what the students had to say and seemed genuinely interested in the ideas that were presented.”

Raja said the experience was a great opportunity to take stock of the research they’ve done thus far and to see how academic research, when applied, can make a significant impact. Yan couldn’t agree more. “It reinforced the importance of communicating the research done in universities to those who can effect greater change,” he said. “It was an honour to be given the chance to apply our own work towards policy decisions that may help to shape financial education initiatives in the near future.”

The task force will release its national strategy to the public in late 2010. For more information on the students’ presentation, e-mail spotton@yorku.ca.

Republished courtesy of YFile– 91��ɫ’s daily e-bulletin.

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In his lecture, “Asian Identity: Becoming Canadian”, Choy will review his personal insights into life as an in-between citizen, living as a hyphenated Chinese-Canadian for most of his life. Choy – born in Canada in 1939 – will explore how he feels now that he has "become a Canadian." No more hyphens. He will expose the prejudices and racism that still prevent many people from feeling that they belong in Canada as full-fledged citizens. The irony is that these prejudices and racist attitudes are found from both inside and outside one's ethnicity and colour, Choy says.

The event, which will be held May 25, from 7 to 9:30pm in the McLean Performance Studio, 244 Accolade East Building, Keele campus, will be chaired by Vivienne Poy, Canadian senator and patron of Asian Heritage Month in Canada.

Right: Wayson Choy. Photo by Raymond Lum.

Choy, a member of the Order of Canada, has appeared as a subject in Wayson Choy: Unfolding the Butterfly, a full-length documentary film by Michael Glassbourg, and is featured on the co-produced China-Canada documentary . His latest book is  and he is currently working on his third novel and fifth book. His other publications include , and , which was called one of the 100 most important books in Canadian history by the . His work has been translated into Hungarian, French, German and Dutch.

He is a professor emeritus of Humber College, where he is currently a faculty member for the Humber School for Writers Summer Program. In 2002, he was made companion of Fronteir College in recognition of his outstanding services for furthering literacy awareness.

The discussant for the Asian Heritage Month Lecture will be English Professor from 91��ɫ’s Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies.

The lecture will be paired with a performance of OrienTik/Portrait, which features the intricate and mesmerizing choreography of former 91��ɫ student Alvin Erasga Tolentino and fellow dancer and 91��ɫ grad Andrea Nann (BFA Spec. Hons. '88). The pair will be joined by taiko drummer Jordy Riley and classical pianist Alison Nishihara.

Their performance will explore an Asian identity that is diverse in culture, creating a bridge between the identities of Canadians and the rest of the world. In OrientiTik/Portrait, sound and movements integrate and weave together in an enriching layer of moments in time. It highlights the experience, mediums and high artistry of each artist. Their aim is to capture the resonance and transparency with the meeting of two performing mediums.

The event is presented by the 91��ɫ Centre for Asian Research (YCAR) as a part of the 2010 Asian Heritage Month Festival with support from the following groups: 91��ɫ, the Office of the Vice-President Academic & Provost, the Faculty of Fine Arts, the Graduate Program in Dance, the Asian Heritage Month Canadian Foundation for Asian Culture (Central Ontario) Inc. (partially funded by the Government of Canada through the Department of Canadian Heritage), the Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies and community partner the .

Light refreshments will follow the event. Due to space restrictions, RSVPs are required. Contact YCAR at ycar@yorku.ca or call 416-736-5821. For more information, visit the YCAR Web site.

Republished courtesy of YFile– 91��ɫ’s daily e-bulletin.

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