We are thankful to be welcome on these lands in friendship. The lands we are situated on are covered by the Williams Treaties and are the traditional territory of the Mississaugas, a branch of the greater Anishinaabeg Nation, including Algonquin, Ojibway, Odawa and Pottawatomi. These lands remain home to many Indigenous nations and peoples.

We acknowledge this land out of respect for the Indigenous nations who have cared for Turtle Island, also called North America, from before the arrival of settler peoples until this day. Most importantly, we acknowledge that the history of these lands has been tainted by poor treatment and a lack of friendship with the First Nations who call them home.

This history is something we are all affected by because we are all treaty people in Canada. We all have a shared history to reflect on, and each of us is affected by this history in different ways. Our past defines our present, but if we move forward as friends and allies, then it does not have to define our future.

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CDMS Student Becomes Member of the Board of Directors at Durham Deaf Services

March 25, 2020

Photo credit: Cassidy McMullen From placement student to volunteer to Board of Directors member, one FSSH student has been making an impact in her community. Fourth-year Communication and Digital Media Studies student Aly Beach was recently brought on as a member of the Board of Directors at Durham Deaf Services.

Aly first learned of Durham Deaf Services several years ago when she was studying Journalism at Durham College. She wrote a story on their organization and their impact on the community which led to her completing her Practicum placement with them. Following her placement, Aly decided to stay on as a volunteer. Soon after, a Board Member position opened up. “I had my interview and the rest is history,” says Aly.

Aly credits her placement experience as having helped her secure a position on the Board. “At first, the process to get into the practicum class seemed overwhelming, but once I sat down and stopped overthinking the application, it ended up being an insightful activity,” says Aly. “The practicum team is amazing. I still try to keep in touch with them when possible. Practicum Coordinator Dan Walters has been a great reference for me when applying for various positions, including my Board of Directors Position at DDS.”

After graduation, Aly will continue her work with Durham Deaf Services, as well serve as a member of the Accessibility Committee of Durham Region in the hopes that this experience will lead to a job doing communications related to accessibility.

“I am so incredibly lucky and grateful I had such amazing professors and classmates who really helped me and supported me during my time here.”

Learn more about the Practicum program.