**NORTHERN COLLEGE MEDIA RELEASE**

As Northern College students settle in to the new semester, they’ll be getting an opportunity to experience the traditions and culture of Canada’s first peoples.

The sixth annual Indigenous Cultural Awareness Week will be celebrated at all four of our campuses through a variety of activities and learning opportunities designed to promote a deeper understanding of Indigenous traditions.

“It’s to highlight what the natives have and what they went through,” said Timmins Campus Indigenous Elder David Faries. “There’s very few people that will know the rights of passage that we went through, the rights of passage actually was a process that made honorable people.”

As students pursue higher learning, Northern College encourages the pursuit of deeper understandings regarding social and cultural traditions.

Events will take place throughout the week of September 17th to 21st at the Timmins, Kirkland Lake and Haileybury Campuses while Moosonee Campus will host its week from September 24 to 28.

Events, which are open to everyone, will encompass a wide variety of topics and activities including cultural movies, artifacts and discussions alongside archery competitions, games and music.

Northern College recognizes the significant role of traditional knowledge and the importance of passing such teachings to future generations. The College remains committed to informing and educating students in both technical and traditional education methods alongside cultural traditions and societal learning.

“The Indigenous Cultural Awareness Week is an important aspect of Northern College’s new academic year orientation activities,” stated Northern College President and CEO, Dr. Fred Gibbons. “The celebration is part of the College’s commitment to cultural learning and cultural capacity building amongst students and staff alike.”

The annual event is rooted in one of the College’s four strategic directions: Indigenous Perspectives. Northern College is committed to holding meaningful dialogue and developing partnerships with Indigenous leaders, learners, communities and employers, and building on strong relationships that have already been established.

For more information and a more detailed schedule of events please visit northerncollege.ca or our Northern College social media sites.