Dalhousie’s President’s Ceremonial Robe Ornamentation
- 2024
- Dalhousie University
- Halifax, NS
Media Links
Universityhttps://www.dal.ca/news/2024/05/29/presidential-robe-convocation-design.html
The Robe was created for Kim Brooks, Dalhousie’s 13th president. The design explores the land that Dalhousie rests upon, the people that helped to shape it, and explores the beauty in everything. The robe contains sweetgrass braids and fiddleheads for the Mi’kmaq, blueberry flowers and the ANSA Mayflower Logo for the African-Canadian Community, and lavender for President Brooks connection to the Queer Community and the unique perspective she brings to the role. The symbols are created using embroidery, applique and beading. The robe (excluding the ornamentation) was made by B’Spoke Apparel. The ornamentations design was created with the consultation of Dalhousie’s Elder in Residence Ann LaBillois, Dalhousie’s Native Studies Professor Patricia Doyle-Bedwall and her husband George Doyle, Dalhousie’s Associate Professor of Recreation and Leisure Studies and Assistant Vice-Provost of Equality and Inclusion Dr. Barbra Hamilton-Hinch, and Professor in the School of Journalism at King’s Collage Sylvia Hamilton.
The base for the design are alternating blocks of gold, black and white. The colours represent the institution of Dalhousie and the ceremonies that the robe is worn at. The colour blocks create sound foundation for the rest of the design and create a “frame” for each of the designs within the squares.
African Nova Scotian Affairs Mayflower
African Nova Scotians
The ANSA Mayflower logo incorporates many elements that represent African Nova Scotian’s history, such as the Black Star of Africa and the Mayflower, the flower of Nova Scotia. The design is used with permission from African Nova Scotian Affairs.
Blueberry Flower
African Nova Scotians
Blueberry picking is a common and shared experience between African Nova Scotians. Blueberries where a source of food and income in the community. The decision was made to focus on the flower that comes before the fruit to continue the floral theme.
Fiddleheads
Mi’kmaq
Fiddleheads, according to Elder Ann’s interpretation, represent how each person blossoms and unfurl as they grow. This idea is very relevant at the time of graduation, as the students move through their life. Fiddleheads are also a source of food, which are often eaten for celebrations.
Sweet Grass Braid
Mi’kmaq
Sweet grass is used for smudging, burning to produce smoke, in both ceremonies and personal use. Sweetgrass is an extremely important symbol in the medicine wheel and also relates to Mi’kmaw spirituality.
Lavender
2SLGBTQI+/Kim Brooks
Kim Brooks brings many unique skills and perspectives to the role as the President of Dalhousie. Her inclusion in the Queer Community was chosen to be highlighted to bring more awareness to the community. Lavender was first negatively associated with the community in the 20th Cent., but has since been taken back and claimed as a symbol by the community.
Back Collar
The back collar of the robe is anchored in the corners by the ANSA Mayflower and a round of braided sweetgrass. In the center is three sprigs of lavender. These three central designs are placed inside a while circle to draw attention to the squares contents. The following squares alternate contents moving outwards from these corner squares.