Nestled on a quiet spot in the trees just off Principal’s Road is U of T Mississauga’s new Tipi and teaching lodge.
The structures were raised as part of the UTM Indigenous Centre’s student orientation event. Students, staff, faculty and librarians of the UTM community erected the structures on Wednesday, Sept. 13. The UTM Office of Indigenous Initiatives works to mobilize reconciliation on campus, this is one of the many ways they’re doing so by creating spaces that are reflective of Indigenous community.
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.
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 UTM'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 coordinator 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 UTM'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. (Photo by Nick Iwanyshyn)