Students restless at University of Alberta

Page R12

As the Aboriginal Student Council at the University of Alberta plan their 5th Annual Native Awareness Days, other students are questioning why they are at university at all.

In fact, a group invited Elder Peter O'Chiese to speak at the Native student lounge at the University of Alberta.

Apparently, some students have been feeling disillusioned with their lives, said Cathy Sewell, the president for the Aboriginal Student Council.

The ASC president said the frustration stems from having gone through 12 years of the education system dealing with racism, financial hardships, and other problems, such as recovering from addictions, and trying to heal sexual and physical abuse.

"There have been a lot of people who have been feeling the strain of being an Aboriginal student here.

"Something I have experienced in attending university over the past year and a half has been a lack of sensitivity, a lack of awareness of Aboriginal people's cultures. Not only are people trying to get their education, they are having to deal with this sometimes blatant, sometimes latent racism," complained Sewell.

The racism stems from textbooks, professor's lectures and student peers, she said. One racist occurrence that really perturbed her took place in a drama class when a student portrayed a drunken Indian as being inarticulate and savage.

Approximately 15 students attended the lecture to listen to Peter O'Chiese. Of all the 475 Aboriginal students on campus, the student council represents approximately 120 students.

Sewell believes that it was those15 people who attended the lecture that needed to hear what the Elder had to say. Apparently, some students are feeling disillusioned with everything in their lives."

"Some friends of mine who are in their final year have only three months to go before they graduate have, sort of, put up with everything they have gone through for three and a half years.

"Now they are starting to really question the value of getting an education and having to put up with all the other things I mentioned previously," said Sewell.

Elder Peter O'Chiese gave her a renewed sense of personal encouragement and coming from the one so respected and wise "it was just so cool!"

In addition t the person problems some students face, there has been a negative element present at the Native student lounge. In previous years the lounge, an area designated for socializing and for studying, has had a reputation of being a place where there is "backstabbing" involved.

Strong cliques have formed and as a result of this reputation there are some Aboriginal students on campus who avoid the lounge for this reason.

"I am not going to deny anything in terms of negatives because with any organization there is always positives and negatives, and people go to things that they need.

"There are people who might not need to be associated with us, and that's fine,

and that's their choice. We're not saying that if you are an Aboriginal you have to belong, because it is a voluntary membership." Sewell said.

Sewell has been president of the Aboriginal Student Council since September 1993 and believes there are both positives and negatives within the organization but it is a person's own choice to contribute their time and energy into it.

In the 1970s and early 1980s the Aboriginal Student Council was known as the Native Student Club. During those formative years the club would hold an annual Native Awareness Days and Powwow. In 1986-87 the student council was formed to provide a place students to meet, where students could provide support and encouragement to each other.

The council also acted as a liaison with the university and the Aboriginal community on Aboriginal issues. In addition the council would promote Aboriginal issues on campus.

Preparation for the Fifth Annual Native Awareness Days continues. The theme for this year's event is Pride In The Past, Force In The Future. On March 16, the Elders will speak to the stuents. On March 17, there will be workshops and panel discussions with filmmakers, musicians and artists to discuss the contemporary use of Native culture.

The evening entertainment will showcase Native dancers and jiggers. On March 18, the Aboriginal Law Student's Association will be hosting a series of seminars and lectures. Native Awareness Days will take place at the Student's Union Building on the

U of A campus. The second memorial round dance for Lorraine Courtrielle will be held March 18, at six p.m. at the U of A Butterdome.