June a busy month for Aboriginal focus at the University of Regina

News Release Release Date: June 14, 2011 12:00 p.m.

The University of Regina will play host to a number of important events with a strong aboriginal focus this month. June 19 to 24, the University welcomes the Community-based Health Research Institute: "Weaving the Tapestry" to campus. A keynote speaker at the five-day event will be Dr. Charlotte Reading, an Aboriginal health researcher with extensive expertise in areas such as Aboriginal health disparities, women's health and HIV/AIDS. Media are invited to hear Dr. Reading's talk on Monday, June 20th at 9:30 a.m. at The Centre for Kinesiology Health and Sport Building, Room 187.  Well known filmmaker Andrée Cazabon will present the Regina premiere of "Third World Canada," a compelling look at the conditions of a First Nations community in northern Ontario. The public and media are invited to a free screening of the film at the Albert Scott Community Centre on Wednesday, June 22 at 6:30 p.m.

Immediately following the conclusion of "Weaving the Tapestry," the Indigenous People's Health Research Centre, at the University of Regina, will play host to more than 50 top Aboriginal health research graduate students from across Canada. Margaret Kovach, who won the 2010 Saskatchewan Book Award for Scholarly Writing will be speaking at the opening session of the conference June 25 at 9:00 a.m. at the Education Building, Room 191. Students will use the four-day "Indigenous Innovation Integration" event to network and present their innovative research findings.

Throughout the month of June, First Nations University of Canada's Indian Communications Arts Program (INCA) is holding its annual summer institute. The program prepares students to work as journalists and public relations professionals. On Tuesday, June 21, National Aboriginal Day, the students will be heard on Missinipi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC). For the month of July, twelve students will be placed in media internships in organizations such as CBC, SaskFilm and MBC. As a part of National Aboriginal Day, the University of Regina Aboriginal Student Centre invites all students, faculty, staff and members of the community to celebrate on the Academic Green. A wide variety of activities will take place between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.

Wrapping up the month, on June 27th, Dr. Jo-Ann Episkenew, Director of the Indigenous People's Health Research Centre, will be featured on a special episode of CBC Radio's "The Next Chapter." She is one of several award-winning Saskatchewan authors who were recorded together over a "Prairie Feast" lunch for the episode.