这是一个治愈与希望的地方。- ​阿尔伯塔卫生服务机构员工

这是一个和解的地方。这就是和解。- 家长

这是有重要意义的；它比一个新学校的开放要多得多。- 社区成员

原住民学习中心（将在本周举行的原住民仪式中确定其新名称）于5月4日迎来了数百人的正式开放。所有人被迎入一个美丽的空间，其设计反映了土著的认知和生存方式。

学校旁边，长者兰迪·波特尔和社区成员正在搭建一个蒙古包。里面，一个互动的“故事漫步”为来宾提供了一个机会，他们可在进入时进行熏熏香或“净化”。

在家庭室，每个人都被邀请品尝由各种土著植物制成的传统茶。在环形走廊周围，学生为客人提供学习土著语言的机会。

新创建的故事披肩展示了原住民学习中心的七年旅程。在令人鼓舞的中央集会空间里，翻绒歌手们演唱了早晨的歌曲，这首歌之前是他们赠送给学校的，而学生则通过传统舞蹈让访客们感到愉悦。在室内的种子发芽和生长站旁边，客人们种植了将成为户外神圣花园一部分的鼠尾草种子。

在正式程序中，伦纳德·巴斯蒂恩长老进行了祝福，并谈到了他对学生和社区的希望。首席主管大卫·史蒂文森和董事会主席乔伊·鲍文-艾尔为学校赠送了一架传统手鼓，并以庆祝正式开放而敲击。教育部长大卫·埃根自豪地出席并代表阿尔伯塔政府致以良好祝愿。活动以圆舞和每位客人赠送一块雕刻石结束。

这个令人难以置信的新空间不仅为3至8岁的土著学生提供整体早期学习的学校，也为所有人提供协作学习机会，并在晚上和周末提供聚会之地。

正式开放庆祝活动凸显了原住民学习中心作为所有人的聚会场所。对于所有参与的人来说，这真是一个极具希望未来的正面社区活动。

​This is a place of healing and hope. – Alberta Health Services Staff Member

This is a place of reconciliation. This is reconciliation. - Parent

This is significant; it means much more than a new school opening. – Community Member

The Aboriginal Learning Centre (which will have its new name through Indigenous ceremony this week) welcomed hundreds of people to its official opening on May 4. All were welcomed into a beautiful space reflecting Indigenous ways of knowing and being throughout its design.

Beside the school, Elder Randy Bottle and community members were seen constructing a tipi. Inside, an interactive ‘story walk’ provided an opportunity for guests to smudge or ‘cleanse’ as they entered.

In the family room, everyone was invited to sample traditional teas made from various Indigenous plants. Around the circular corridors, students provided opportunities for guests to learn Indigenous languages.

A newly created story robe showed the seven year story journey of the ALC. In the inspiring central gathering space, the Turning Robe singers performed the morning song that they had previous gifted to the school, while students delighted visitors with traditional dance.  Next to the indoor seed sprouting and growing station, guests planted sage seeds that will become part of the outdoor sacred garden. 

During the formal program, Elder Leonard Bastien provided a blessing and spoke of his hopes for students and community.  Chief Superintendent David Stevenson and Board Chair Joy Bowen-Eyre presented the school with a traditional hand drum which was banged in honour of the official opening. Education Minister, David Eggen proudly attended and shared his best wishes on behalf of the Government of Alberta. The event closed with a round dance and the gifting of a carved stone to each guest.

This incredible new space serves as a school for holistic early learning for Indigenous students ages 3-8, a place of learning for all through it’s collaborative learning opportunities and a place of gathering for all through it’s offerings on evenings and weekends.

The official opening celebration highlighted how the Aboriginal Learning Centre is a gathering place for all. It was truly a positive community event that created a great sense of hope for the future in all who attended.