Belleville, ON, Dec. 8, 2022 – On Saturday, Dec. 3, more than 100 attendees gathered on Loyalist College campus for the 28th annual Indigenous Arts Festival. Led by staff and students from the College’s Indigenous Resource Centre, the market hosted close to 30 vendors and Indigenous business owners selling handmade goods and traditional foods to residents of the Bay of Quinte.
In addition to the market, students representing the College’s Indigenous Resource Centre facilitated a medicine bag-making activity for kids. Guests experienced live storytelling and body painting from Melissa Brant of the Mohawk community. They also enjoyed musical performances by Anishinaabe singer and drummer Rod Nettagog and country folk singers, Jennifer Brant and Kiernan Edwards.
“The Indigenous Arts Festival is an important annual platform for Indigenous entrepreneurs and artisans to share their talents, vision and skill with Indigenous and non-Indigenous people alike,” said Jennifer Tewathahá:kwa Maracle, Director, Indigenous Services at Loyalist College. “As we work to infuse every aspect of student life at Loyalist with Indigenous knowledge, we are also creating opportunities for our wider Bay of Quinte community to expand their understanding and participate in the richness of local Indigenous cultures. Nya:wen to everyone who came together last weekend to create space for culture-sharing and education.”
Learn more about Indigenous Services at Loyalist College.
About Loyalist College
Loyalist College is located on the territory of the Huron-Wendat, the Anishnaabeg, and the Haudenosaunee people. We acknowledge our shared obligation to respect, honour, and sustain these lands and the natural resources contained within. Ranked one of Canada’s top 50 research colleges, Loyalist College empowers students, faculty, staff, and partners through experiential, industry cluster-based education, training and applied research programs. As Ontario’s Destination College, the College provides job-ready graduates for, and knowledge transfer to, industry and the community. Located on more than 200 acres in the beautiful Bay of Quinte region, the College is perfectly positioned between Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal. Loyalist College offers more than 70 full-time diploma, certificate and apprenticeship programs in biosciences, building sciences, business, community service, health and wellness, media studies, public safety, and skilled trades. Continuing education options are available through LoyalistFocus.com, including hundreds of online, distance and in-class courses, and through the College’s 100+ university transfer agreements. Loyalist College is a key driver of social and economic health in eastern Ontario. It contributes 3.8 percent of the Gross Regional Product, representing $396.3 million annually to the regional economy – based on an October 2021 report by Emsi. For more information on Loyalist College’s Belleville, Bancroft and Toronto campuses and Port Hope satellite location, visit loyalistcollege.com.
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Contact:
Braden Root-McCaig
Director of Marketing and Communications
647-523-4300
brootmccaig@loyalistcollege.com