GBC opens third indigenous student centre to expand reach for students.
George Brown College’s (GBC) Indigenous initiatives now has a new indigenous student centre at the Waterfront campus.
The new Jiigibiik nibwaakaawin teg student centre was officially opened Jan. 30, with students, faculty, and staff coming together to celebrate the new space.
The space offers students support in their learning through access to computers, printing, study space and a lounge to connect with peers, along with cultural, financial and academic support.
“My favourite thing about the new centre is its name – Jiigibiik nibwaakaawin teg – which translates to “place of wisdom along the water” in Anishinaabemowin. We had Elder Julie Debassige name the centre, and I feel like it’s very powerful and fitting given the campus that we are in,” Lisa Zangerl, Indigenous Initiatives’ indigenous student support specialist, shared,
Elder Debassige shared the significance and her process of naming the centre during its grand opening.
The grand opening also included a sharing from Joseph Sagaj, the artist who designed Indigenous initiative’s logo. Zangerl says a piece of Sagaj’s art has been purchased to go in the new center.
While GBC already has two existing indigenous centres – the Wichihitowin centre at Casa Loma campus and the Sahkitcheway centre at St. James campus – the St. James campus is not currently operable.
“The need to open a student centre has been recognized for quite some time now, as the only one that is currently operable is at Casa Loma campus. Looking at how each campus is geographically laid out, we wanted to ensure that the needs of learners situated at both the Waterfront and St. James campuses were supported,” Zangerl said.
All three indigenous student centres are unique, and students can avail services according to their needs in these spaces.
“In the future, we plan on creating new student centres to suit the needs of Indigenous learners at GBC and we welcome all members of the college community into our spaces as well,” Zangerl shared.
The new centre is located in room 227 at Waterfront campus and is open to all students.
