A conversation about rebuilding the Dawson community April 4
April 19th, 2023
Director General Diane Gauvin and Academic Dean Leanne Bennett held a town hall on April 4 about rebuilding the community after the pandemic. Over 50 people attended, with balanced representation from all employee groups.
As Diane and Leanne explained, the intent of the gathering was to explore how to strengthen the Dawson community and promote feelings of connectedness after the pandemic and the periods of imposed isolation. By examining what the community can do better to create a healthy, welcoming work environment, people can contribute to the well-being of students, themselves and the community itself. Given the various ways that people see the workings and benefits of community, Diane and Leanne recognized the importance of hearing different perspectives and of engaging people in discussions that will allow individuals to support each other and move forward collectively.
Participants engaged in a rich discussion during which six principal themes emerged: the positive and negative impacts of remote work; opportunities for employees to socialize and connect while participating in community activities; spaces to foster more social interactions; collaboration; communication; and ways of rebuilding community generally. To overcome isolation, rebuild community and help new employees integrate into the college, many people wanted more opportunities and spaces where they can interact socially. Interest in having both a staff lounge and dedicated time to participate in community activities was expressed a number of times. Some participants voiced frustration that remote work and online meetings make it difficult to find people in their offices, obtain immediate in-person service or have spontaneous interactions, while others found that remote work creates different opportunities to network with people and to work without distractions and interruptions that occur at the college.
To read more details about what was discussed, please visit this link.
Diane and Leanne thanked participants for sharing their valuable comments on the different ways of fostering community. They promised that there would be more town halls and, in the meantime, invited people who wanted to provide further feedback to send it to academicdean@dawsoncollege.qc.ca or dg@dawsoncollege.qc.ca.
Earth Weeks 2023 at Dawson
April 19th, 2023
A full program of activities is happening at Dawson from April 17-28 for students and employees to celebrate Earth Week, connect with Nature and learn about ways to live more sustainably.
On Tuesday, April 18, Jonathan Egan’s Introduction to Outdoor Education Class participated in a Bioblitz in the Peace Garden with Biology teacher Brian Mader, who is leading the 1,000 Species in 1,000 Days initiative. For a few hours, the students observed life in the Peace Garden and added to Dawson’s count. One way, they observed many kinds of life was by lifting up a slab of old tree trunk in the eco circle of the Peace Garden (pictured).
All students and employees are invited to help identify 1,000 plants, animals and other kinds of life on our city block in downtown Montreal. To date, a total of 455 species have been identified. From April 10-17, the Dawson College-Campus Biodiversity Network on the free app iNaturalist had 58 new observations, 12 new species added, and four new observers.
Rocking out at Dawson VIB event March 29
April 5th, 2023
A lively event stopped by Dawson on March 29 to move and inspire students and staff. The VIB event is touring campuses across Quebec to promote well-being and health. The event featured a Pound also known as “rocking out” workout, pictured; photo courtesy of RSEQ.
One of College Nurse Julie Gosselin’s student health ambassadors reported: “The participants really enjoyed the event and they liked their free merch. People seemed to really enjoy the Pound session as well since most of them had never done it before
“I think the event was really cool! It was a great way to promote physical activity during a time period when students are stressed and tend to forget the little things we should do to stay healthy.”
Still in the truth phase
April 5th, 2023
As part of Indigenous Peoples’ Week, on March 28 Dawson pedagogical counsellor Kanerahtiio (Tiio) Hemlock gave a talk entitled Canadian Colonialism in Perspective.
Tiio’s position as Indigenous pedagogical consultant at Dawson is new and he has been developing his presentation as a way to share his perspective on truth and reconciliation, decolonization and Indigenization.
“Truth and reconciliation are why I am here now in this new position…since the apology and the mass graves were found, funding has become available,” he said.
“Reconciliation implies we were together at one point. How can we come back together? When were we together? We are still in the truth phase. The focus has been on the harm done in these schools. There has not been a big focus on why these schools were made in the first place.”
Tiio then gave an overview of history from an Indigenous perspective sharing facts that are not usually part of Canadian history. He decided to make his beginning point July 1, 1867, the date Canada became a country. In 1867, there was still “an Indian problem,” he said. “There were still people who have a legitimate claim to the land. We shouldn’t have still been here. These people were destined for extinction. How do we address the Indian problem?”
Tiio then explained how schools are just the tip of the iceberg. Tiio went over major historical events, including the building of the St. Lawrence Seaway all the way to the unjust application of Bill 96. He told stories about how these events impacted members of his family as well as the community of Kahnawake. Colonialism still exists today, he said.
Tiio is available to give this presentation to classes and departments at Dawson. Contact him to make a request: themlock@dawsoncollege.qc.ca
Don’t miss any fun Dawson events- add them to your calendar!
April 5th, 2023
There are so many events happening at Dawson- art vernissages and exhibits, theatre shows, themed weeks, community activities, lectures and more. Attending them is a way to encourage students and colleagues and feel like you are part of the Dawson community.
You can check out the events for the day, the week or the month in Dawson's Events Calendar, featured on the Dawson homepage.
When you open a particular event in the calendar, you get all the relevant details and you can choose to add it to your Outlook calendar by clicking on the button called +Ical Export. You can also customize the reminder alert to be 15 minutes, two hours or other times. This will work best when using the Outlook desktop app not the web version.
This month: Earth Week is April 17-28, there is a new exhibit at the Warren G. Flowers Art Gallery and more. Check out the events and add them to your Outlook calendar. Visit the Dawson Events Calendar by visiting the link below.
Join the Dawson Activity Club & enjoy Indian lunch April 18
April 5th, 2023
The Dawson Activity Club (DAC) is a great way to have fun at work, meet colleagues and feel part of the Dawson community. Often DAC members meet for lunch.
All employees are welcome to join. If you are interested, visit Gianna Smith in 2E.6 to fill out a form so payroll can take $1 off each pay to cover your membership fee. The last event was a St. Patrick's Day celebration with afternoon tea and scones and the next event is Tuesday, April 18. DAC members will enjoy a vegetarian Indian thali meal at lunchtime. All DAC members will receive an email with more info soon. Photo is representational.
Dawson community mobilizing to identify 1,000 species in 1,000 days
April 5th, 2023
All students and employees at Dawson College are invited to join an initiative to identify 1,000 species in 1,000 days on Dawson’s downtown Montreal campus.
“We believe that identifying 1,000 species is possible but does pose a significant challenge,” said Brian Mader, project lead and a biology teacher at Dawson. “We invite all students and employees to join iNaturalist. The more people from our community who participate, the higher the chances of reaching our goal. This project will also nurture our Dawson community and encourage people to go outside and enjoy Nature.”
To find out how to participate and read the homepage news story, visit the link below.
Sustainable Happiness in Mexico
April 5th, 2023
Jennifer de Vera and Chris Adam of the Sustainability Office were in Mexico in late March to see the final projects of students in the Dawson-developed Sustainable Happiness Course at Preparatoria Comunitaria Tres Marías, a senior high school located in the mountains near the city of Cuernavaca. Jenn and Chris were also on hand to give the students their SH certificates at the school's 25th anniversary.
Many students gave things away as part of their SH final project, Jenn said. Noteworthy projects included a grandfather-granddaughter intergenerational gardening project with a garden herb give-away, a succulent plant give-away with pots that were painted with positive quotes, and a mushroom identification project on campus. "They use what they have and the resources of the land," Jenn said. She came home inspired by the Mexicans' warmth and authentic community and reported that the Mexican partners are eager to continue their projects and their partnership with Dawson.
VIB Tour stops at Dawson March 29
March 22nd, 2023
A fun and free event promoting well-being for all and physical fitness is coming to Dawson Wednesday, March 29 from 11:45 a.m. to 1:50 p.m. in 3C.1.
Students are invited to register for free on the VIB-Essence app for La Tournée VIB-Essence. The program includes Pound (“rocking out”) fitness sessions, glow-in-the-dark yoga, free snacks and fun. If there is space, staff are also welcome to attend.
“The VIB tour only makes a few campus stops every year so I think Dawson students are lucky to have this opportunity,” said Julie Gosselin of Student Health Services, Dawson’s VIB coordinator. The event is sponsored by the RSEQ, Sports Experts and the Quebec Government.
25th Edition of Artists in Bloom is April 20
March 22nd, 2023
Springtime means that Artists in Bloom is back! The event will be in-person on Thursday, April 20 at 5:30 p.m. in 3C.1 It will also be possible to buy prints online from April 11-28. This year will be the fundraising event’s 25th annual edition— a quarter century! We are excited to welcome you to the event and to see what our talented student artists will produce. Advance tickets are only $20 and will be for sale as of Monday, March 27 in 2E.6 and 4A.1 Your ticket gives you entrance to the event, one drink and hors d'oeuvres.
For the details, see the homepage news story in the link below.
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Last Modified: April 19, 2023
