The Niagara College Libraries and Learning Centers (LLC) team is inviting employees, students and alumni to register for the next edition of its Living Library event series, taking place on October 14 from 1 to 2 p.m.
The event comes following the launch of NC’s new Indigenous Education Strategy, Paddling Together, and will provide an opportunity to explore Indigenous education, leadership and the College’s ongoing commitment to the Truth and Reconciliation process.
Now in its 12th edition, the Living Library series continues to create meaningful opportunities for open dialogue, reflection and learning through conversations that highlight lived experiences and diverse perspectives.
This year’s event will feature an open and unscripted conversation with Leah Hogan, NC’s Director of Indigenous Education, moderated by Maxine Semple, Director of Cultural and Global Engagement.
A proud Bear Clan woman from the Oneida Nation of the Thames, Hogan is passionate about exploring relational learning and Indigenous identity restoration through storytelling and land-based education. With more than 20 years of experience in the Ontario college system, she is dedicated to advancing Indigenous self-determination and creating safer, more inclusive learning spaces for all students.
As part of the Living Library series, the conversation will offer an honest reflection on Hogan’s journey as an Indigenous leader in post-secondary education over the past two decades. She will share her experiences and the evolving realities of decolonization and Indigenization in practice, while reflecting on her recent work helping to shape NC’s new Indigenous Education Strategy
The discussion will also explore how the strategy connects to her experiences and vision for Indigenous Education at NC, what continues to motivate her in this work and her hopes for the future.
The Living Library event series contributes to the wholistic experience of Niagara College and the wider community by offering opportunities to engage with the lived experiences of equity-deserving communities. The LLC team – at times in partnership with Indigenous Education – creates respectful spaces for individuals from varied backgrounds to connect through open dialogue.
Through these conversations, the series aims to challenge misunderstanding, encourage reflection and provide educational opportunities that contribute to building a vibrant and inclusive society.
Those registered for the event are able to submit questions to Leah in advance via the NC Engage app.
Watch parties will be held in both IE lounges for the NC community to view the Living Library Event if they would like.
To register for the Living Library event, please visit NC Engage.
About the Living Library series
Since 2020, Niagara College’s Libraries and Learning Centres team, in collaboration with departments across the College, has hosted Living Library events around various themes and days of significance.
Recordings of past events are available online through the Libraries and Learning Centres’ Living Library Event Guide.
