Belleville, Ontario, August 23, 2017 – Loyalist College is pleased to announce the new name of the Indigenous Resource Centre, previously called the Aboriginal Resource Centre.
“We strongly encourage the use of the word ‘Indigenous’ in lieu of the term ‘Aboriginal’ in all instances,” said Paul Latchford, Coordinator of Indigenous Services at Loyalist. “Using the correct vernacular will help us create a more positive learning environment for our First Nations, Inuit and Métis students.”
The semantic shift to ‘Indigenous,’ as the preferred term for the original inhabitants of Canada follows the federal government’s 2015 decision to change the name of the Department of Aboriginal Affairs to Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada. The Indigenous reference is more commonly recognized internationally, perhaps most notably in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
The College’s Indigenous Resource Centre was established in 1996 to provide friendship, assistance and services to Indigenous students. Today it continues to ensure appropriate support for Indigenous students on campus and acts as a liaison between College administration, Indigenous communities and government agencies.
Holistic in its approach, the Centre provides pre-admission counselling to prospective students about admission, transcripts, funding and program planning; orientation for new students; academic and individual counselling for students enrolled at Loyalist. It also provides a study space and access to computers, printers, internet and email, Circle events, and Indigenous newsletters and papers.
About Loyalist College
Located on more than 200 acres in the beautiful Bay of Quinte region, Loyalist College is a close-knit community where students and their success come first. Loyalist provides personalized attention in small classes, rewarding field placements and superior student services. To prepare students for in-demand careers, Loyalist offers more than 65 full-time programs; apprenticeships; and hundreds of online, distance and in-class courses, as well as opportunities for continuing education through more than 70 university transfer agreements. The College’s wide selection of advanced diplomas, diplomas and certificates aligns with market-driven disciplines including applied sciences, biosciences, building sciences, business and management studies, health sciences, human studies, justice studies, media, arts and design, and skills and technology. In Ontario, the College’s new Digital Media Centre and The Bay of Quinte Skills Centre, which is LEED® Silver certified, are training centres of choice for students, as well as College business and industry partners. The College is a key driver of the social and economic health and prosperity of the area and contributes 5.4 percent to the Gross Regional Product. This represents an overall effect on the regional economy of $530 million annually – based on a 2014 Report by Economic Modeling Specialists International (EMSI). For more information on the College’s Belleville and Bancroft campuses and Port Hope satellite location, visit loyalistcollege.com.
-30-
Contact: Kerry Lorimer, Director of Marketing, Communications & Recruitment
Loyalist College, klorimer@loyalistc.on.ca, 613-969-1913 ext. 2536