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TB NATIONAL INDIGENOUS HISTORY M WORKING TO FOSTER SUPPORT FOR INDIGENOUS STUDENTS CASSIE-JEAN DILLON CREATES PATH FOR OTHERS T0 FOLLOW AT DURHAM COLLEGE MOYA DILLON mdillon@durhamregion.com Incelebration of Nation- al Indigenous History Month, Metroland intro- duces readers to 30 Indige- nous people who are mak- ing a difference. Education is at the cen- tre of everything that Cas- sie- ean Dillon doe: ‘he former Durham college student and Osha- wa resident is working to ensure Indigenous stu- dents are supported and celebrated through her work as vice president of the college's alumni asso- ciation. “We want to celebrate our successes and keep building _ relationships," said Dillon of the associa- on. “Everything in life is connected, we're hoping to engage with that connec- tion, just because you've left college doesn't mean that connection is lost," ebrate our successes.” ‘illon credits the First Peovles Indigenous Centre with providing a safe place for Indigenous students, including her, to find fami- ly and belonging. "It's about having a safe space and a place and peo- ple who understand you without you having to say she said. “Just having the cultural support and awareness 0 of what is happe! what has paca! ane historical knowledge and shared connection with our Indigenous peers, it's emcees Jason Liebregts/ Metroland Cassie-Jean Dillon, centre, helped break ground for Durham College's new Centre for Collaborative Education during a groundbreaking ceremony at the Oshawa campus on Nov. 25, 2016 uke an automatic 'I feel who is Kanien- kehak ka, ‘part 0 of the Mo- hawk Nation, first attend- ed classes in the late '80s to rn computer credentials as part of her employment. Though she returned to campus several times over the years to upgrade her credentials, she didn't pur- -time studies until 2015, when she studied fit- ness and health promo- tion. After graduation, Dil- lonaccepted a role with the Canada School of Public Service and works to in- corporate Indigenous teachings and the Tru and Reconciliation Com- mittee's Calls to Action in courses she develops for public servants. "Im planting seeds throughout all the curricu- lum. It's really through ed- ucation and continued messaging, is the best way to overcome unconscious bias, erase those stereo- types we all carty and move forward together, she said. "Now goo time because people are aware, they are allies, and they are ready for change." AtDurham lonis currently create a new Indigenous i association and is aise at work at other initia- tives to celebrate and sup- ort Indigenous culture within the education sys- tem, including leadership awards for Indigenous stu- dents and the presentation of star blankets for gradu- iting students. “Aboriginal ie are the largest growing co- hort, so get ready, peoause these are our future lead- ers and they are going to outpace every other cohort coming through the doors,” she said. "The path is getting wider, there are many feet on the path and many good intentions. We want to make the path wid- er and easier to travel and invite everyone’ else along." 3 C] ‘SCAN THIS CODE 4 for more Truth through Storytelling rage. (CT=1 mre) at-ym.e) a4 7140 Coleco] M10] 0) ole) ms from A to Zed Craig, Cogeco Tech. (6 COGeCO » Colelan (exero] ero) alal=reidlelal €z0z‘b ounr ‘epsinyy | seaeeg elayeo | SE woo"uo}|ByapIsUt