The University of Regina has introduced a new name for their Aboriginal Student Centre (ASC).
Students, faculty and administration gathered at the university before the weekend to welcome the centre’s new name – the ta-tawâw Student Centre.
Pronounced “tah-tah-wow”, the name comes from the Cree language which translates to “Welcome. There is room, there is space”.
Self-declared First Nations, Métis and Inuit students helped choose the after students and the university felt it was time to eliminate the term “Aboriginal” from the name. It reflects the Government of Canada’s decision in 2015 to change the department of Aboriginal and Northern Affairs to Indigenous and Northern Affairs.
The student centre began the process of renaming their facility this fall by creating a renaming committee. Students and other university community members were asked to submit suggestions that best described the ASC.
Dr. Vianne Timmons, the U of R’s president and vice chancellor, said it was important to have students be a part of the whole process since the centre is there to support them.
“It was so inclusive and it’s all about the students,” she stated. “They needed to find the path for the centre and they did it so beautifully.”
The space received upgrades to mark the celebration. (Photo: Moises Canales/620 CKRM)
Once names were collected by the committee, members reviewed the submissions and selected two options for self-declared First Nations, Métis and Inuit students to vote on.
In the end, 53 per cent of the participants voted for ta-tawâw.
Misty Longman, who manages the centre, was ecstatic during the reveal at the university feels it’s a fitting choice for their space.
“The centre is about coming in, taking up space, being a part of a community and knowing that you’re always welcome to,” she explained. “It was the main intention.”
Longman mentioned how it was important to make sure they stuck with the Cree language when selecting a new title since they had the Cree syllabics for the term “university” in their original name and logo.
They also offer programs in Saulteaux and Michif.
Around 250 students took part in the voting process.
