The department of Curriculum and Instruction and the School of Education and Professional Studies at the State University of Potsdam, NY, invited Project of Heart to their satellite campus at Dominican University College (Ottawa) to deliver a hands-on, interactive session. Under the guidance of Professor Shelley Jones, elementary school teacher Lynn Rainboth, shared her experiences with the Masters of Science in Teaching (Childhood) Program students. As the students worked their way through the various parts of Project of Heart, Indian Residential School Survivor Irene Lindsay, talked to the students in a most frank, yet understanding way about her family’s experiences and her own personal experiences, at the Indian Residential School in Duck Lake, Saskatchewan. They were fortunate to hear Irene tell a story about her experience with learning about the power of tobacco.

The Potsdam students were able to experience a smudging ceremony, and watched as their beautiful tiles were cleansed.  Students were also invited to sign the Kairos petition urging Canada to implement the United Nations Declaration to Defend the Rights of Indigenous Peoples , as well as the Amnesty International petition to Stop Violence Against Indigenous Women.