Season 2, Episode 4: Peggy Pitawanakwat: Co-ordinator at First Peoples @ Seneca

About Today's Show

In this episode, we get to tour the wonderful Indigenous Student space known as Odeyto, which means The Good Journey in the Anishinaabe language. Located in Seneca College's Newnham Campus, Odeyto is a place rich in warmth, symbolism, and cultural relevance for the Indigenous student population at Seneca.

Other things we talk about on this episode:

1. The Seven Sacred Gifts that guide all the decisions, plans, and interactions within Odeyto.

2. The deep level of symbolism within Odeyto, from the use of red as the colour of the doors, to the significance of the numbers of wooden beams (or ribs) in the ceiling.

3. The intricate relationship Odeyto has with the its immediate natural surroundings.

4. Food! :) Oh yeah! We talk about food!

About Today's Guest, Peggy Pitawanakwat

In addition to her role as Coordinator @ First Peoples @ Seneca, Peggy Pitawanakwat is a former Chief of the Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory on Manitoulin Island. She is Anishinaabe from the Odawa, Pottawatomi and Ojibway Nations. She is from the Thunderbird Clan.

Peggy has over 30 years of working in Indigenous communities. In various areas such as, education, justice, social services and, currently is the Coordinator at First Peoples @ Seneca, Seneca College since 2011. She believes in creating a supportive community, welcoming Indigenous people to a place of learning, where activity and growth nourishes personal well-being from Indigenous Culture and tradition.

Links Referenced in This Podcast

• Click here to take a look at the artist Steven Paul Judd's website. His art will not only make you laugh out loud, it will make you think. You can also check out his Etsy shop here.
• Click here to take a look at artist's Joi T. Arcand's website. Her beautiful, thought provoking work is often on display throughout Canada. You can also check out her jewelry shop, Mad Aunty, here. Amazing original designs that often sell out - so visit often!
• Click here to learn more about the book Seven Fallen Feathers, by Tanya Talaga. For the Audio book version, narrated by Michaela Washburn, click here.

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Thanks for listening!

Pat Perdue