Press Release

Val-d’Or, August 20, 2009 — During the ceremony marking the inauguration of the First Peoples Pavilion, the President of the Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Mrs. Johanne Jean, did not hide her enthusiasm as she stood with First Nations and Inuit chiefs, politicians at the regional and national levels, the Minister responsible for Aboriginal Affairs in Québec and the Member of Parliament for Abitibi-Est, Mr. Pierre Corbeil: «UQAT’s First Peoples Pavilion offers a unique atmosphere for living and studying in Eastern North America. Rare are the educational establishments in which students are welcomed and in which they can realize their student life in a unique multicultural context by sharing in the age-old cultures and values of the Algonquin, Cree, and Inuit people, as well as the cultures and values of Abitibi and Temiscamingue. » The President also paid tribute to the work of the Chairperson of the UQAT Board of Directors, Mrs. Édith Cloutier, to the support of elected officials and to the many First Nations individuals, organizations, municipalities and communities who ensured the success of this project.

For her part, Mrs. Édith Cloutier emphasized the involvement of each partner, and the support of the Chiefs at the First Nations Socio-economic Forum held at Mashteuiatsh in 2006, adding that: « What is most impressive today, is to see how much the completion of the First Peoples Pavilion at UQAT has brought people together and how much it has been the subject of an undeniable consensus. This project is exceptional for its ability to mobilize. » The Chairperson also emphasized that: « UQAT and the First Peoples chose to enter an alliance that has become the symbol of harmonious and respectful co-habitation between peoples in Quebec. The building of the First Peoples Pavilion at UQAT is, in fact, the first concrete step leading to the creation of the first independent Aboriginal university in Eastern Canada. »

The ceremony made reference to the cultures in attendance to show that the new pavilion is a place for meeting and dialogue which is mutually respectful of the values and customs of each culture. As such, speakers came on-stage in pairs, one individual from each nation, where the emcees encouraged each guest to speak in turn, by the passing of a talking stick. For the inaugural presentation, presided over by distinguished spiritual leader Dominique Rankin of Pikogan, a wampum belt specially-made for this occasion was tied by the speakers. The wampum symbolizes an understanding of mutual respect and of peace. The wampum has always been a pledge that no party bound by it would impose on the other its traditions, customs and language, but that they would coexist in peace.

Architects from the firm of Monette, Leclerc, St-Denis et Associés, with engineers from Groupe Stavibel and Groupe Conseil Génivar, designed the 2,025 square-metre building. It was then built by Pépin et Fortin contractors. Planigram managed the project. The constant concern of every individual involved in the project at any stage, giving the pavilion an Aboriginal character, has been expressed by references to culture such as a teepee, a Circle of Life, a characteristic work of art, and through the use of wood and materials that are identified with Aboriginal culture, among other things.

On behalf of the Université, the President thanked the Val-d’Or campus team who began the project, the members of the First Nations Advisory Committee, the First Nations Services staff, as well as the sessional instructors and professors who give new meaning to UQAT’s teaching and research mission by responding to the needs of the Aboriginal communities who choose UQAT to meet their needs for university education.

Built at a cost of $6,5 million, the pavilion’s two floors are home to 34 rooms, offices, classrooms, rooms for student use, meeting rooms, a computer lab and a videoconference room.

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Source : Bernard Pelletier
Senior Advisor
Information and Public Affairs
819-762-0971 ext. 2222

Photos and captions at http://www.uqat.ca/journaliste/photopresse/inaug_ppp/