º¬Ð߲ݴ«Ã½

In photos: Tipi and teaching lodge raised at U of T Mississauga

""

David Lundberg inspects a partially completed teaching lodge at U of T Mississauga (photo by Nick Iwanyshyn)

A new Tipi and teaching lodge at the º¬Ð߲ݴ«Ã½ Mississauga can be found nestled in a quiet spot among the trees just off Principal’s Road.

The two structures were recently raised by students, staff, faculty and librarians as part of the UTM Indigenous Centre’s student orientation event. Creating spaces that are reflective of Indigenous community is one of the many ways the Office of Indigenous Initiatives at U of T Mississauga is working to mobilize reconciliation on campus.

The Tipi, which is expected to remain on site for two years, will be used for ceremonies, programming, events and classes, while the larger lodge will be used as a teaching space.

U of T Mississauga photographer Nick Iwanyshyn was on hand to capture how the project came together.


 

""
(photo by Nick Iwanyshyn)

Volunteers raise the wooden structure of the Tipi, placing one wooden beam in place after another to form a spiral. 

 

""
(photo by Nick Iwanyshyn)

Volunteers prepare to add the Tipi cover to the structure. 

 

""
(photo by Nick Iwanyshyn)

Doug Lu, web content strategist with U of T Mississauga's Office of Communications, helps stake the Tipi cover in place. 

 

""
(photo by Nick Iwanyshyn)

The Tipi will be used for ceremonies, programming, events and classes. 

 

""
(photo by Nick Iwanyshyn)

 

Smyrna Wright, community engagement co-ordinator with the Centre for Student Engagement, helps her fellow volunteers build the lodge structure. 

 

""
(photo by Nick Iwanyshyn)

Volunteers tie the wooden poles of the teaching lodge together. 

 

""
(photo by Nick Iwanyshyn)

Jessica Tabak, special projects officer with U of T Mississauga's Office of Indigenous Initiatives, helps attach the outer canvas to the walls of the teaching lodge. 

 

""
(photo by Nick Iwanyshyn)

The lodge, which is larger than the Tipi, will be used as a teaching space. It is equipped with a wood stove to provide heat during the winter months. 

 

The Bulletin Brief logo

Subscribe to The Bulletin Brief

UTm