Biidaabban - Welcome to Community event provides tours for new Indigenous students
Nipissing’s Office of Indigenous Initiatives is inviting Indigenous students new to Nipissing University and Canadore College, as well as their children, parents, caregivers and family members, to a free family fun two-day tour of the campus and community. The event is an opportunity for Indigenous students to discover what the community has to offer and have fun with their family, while helping to prepare them for the newest chapter in their educational journey.
Community Tour – Monday, August 2, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
The Office of Indigenous Initiatives knows how challenging it can be for students and their families to move to a new community. To ease the transition, the office is showing new students some favourite spots and important services. At 10 a.m., after breakfast and a warm welcome from Elder in residence Carol Guppy, a bus will transport families to Nipissing First Nation. The bus will then make its way into the city of North Bay. It will include stops at grocery stores, beaches, shopping malls, walk-in clinics, hockey arenas, parks, the public library, play areas, the North Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre and more. Breakfast, lunch, snacks, activities for children are provided.
Campus Tour – Tuesday, August 28 , 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
The second day of the Welcome to Community event includes a tour of both Nipissing University and Canadore College campuses. Participants will have the opportunity to visit the Office of Indigenous Initiatives, the First People’s Centre, classrooms, student lounges, cafeteria, library, bookstore, athletic center, tipi and the beautiful trails behind the university. The event also features academic workshops to ensure students are ready for the new school year. Activities will be planned throughout the day for children and breakfast and lunch are provided.
Private tours of children's schools
The program also includes an opportunity for participants’ children to receive a private tour of their school, where possible. Taxis will depart from the Nipissing campus to bring students and parents to the school where their children are enrolled. In some instances, participants will be accompanied there with a volunteer who will help navigate the way to the school, meet the principal, visit the classrooms and sometimes meet available teachers.
Bonus Prizes
The first 25 children to be registered by a parent enrolled at Nipissing University/Canadore College will get all new back to school supplies. As well, door prizes for new student parents and their supporters will be drawn throughout the event, including grocery gift cards, family outing gift cards, bookstore gift card and back to school materials.
A Facebook page for the Welcome to Community event has been set up and can be accessed, here.
For more information about the Welcome to Community event and to register, please contact Christine Benoit, Biidaaban Community Service-Learning Officer at (705) 474-3450 ext. 4586 or christb@nipissingu.ca.