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Report to the Ogimaawin-Aboriginal Governance Council November 1st through January 15th – Highlights from the Office of Aboriginal Initiatives
Vice-Provost, Aboriginal Initiatives
Vice-Provost (AI) Administration
The VP (AI) applied for a new Targeted Initiative Fund (TIF) grant through the Office of Aboriginal Education (Ministry of Education) for 2015-2018 in the total amount of $890,000 over three years, and this has been approved for the full amount. AI received 28 letters of internal and external support, which include school boards in Thunder Bay and Orillia, as well as mentors and corporate interests, we thank you all!
The VP (AI) attended a fundraiser and partners meeting for MAGNET our NW CLAN database partner on November 27th to raise money to enable the NW Region to link our educational organizations and institutions to our education, funding and employment database.
The VP (AI) hired 10 university and high school students, Aboriginal and several other cultural backgrounds in October, to recruit students to CLAN and paid them for 100 hours of interaction each – this was a successful decision. We will be hiring 35 students (high school through university) from January 2016 until March 31st 2016 from LU and partner organizations to recruit and enrol students and colleagues and to get everything on social media.
The VP (AI) spoke at the “Building Reconciliation: Universities answering the TRC’s Calls to Action”, November 18-19, 2015, A National Forum at the University of Saskatchewan, with 14 University Presidents in attendance, November 19th
AI/ACSS will be posting to fill an Aboriginal MSW position in April 2016 – full time.
The entire AI team has been working very hard on outreach and recruitment, mobilizing the Aboriginal Mentorship Program (AMP) at new schools, and recruiting for CLAN at corporations and businesses across the NW.
Vice-Provost (AI) Academic
The VP (AI) completed a review of the “The Verna Kirkness Institute” in December 2015. The University of Manitoba runs the program for Indigenous high school students from across Canada.
The VP (AI) completed a chapter for a book edited by Jennifer Ditchburn, The Canadian Press Journalist in Ottawa on the state of Aboriginal Affairs under the Harper Government.
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The VP (AI) published a chapter on “The Pathway towards Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples” for an Indian Journal, and attended a Conference on Fourth World Literatures in India in December 2015 to present it.
The VP (AI) submitted a chapter entitled “Reconciliation Social Work” for publication in the book the Director of the International Journal for Mental Health & Addiction (IJMHA) will be publishing in Spring 2016
Vice-Provost, Community Engagement
The VP (AI) has continued to attend panels, community engagement sessions and conversations with foundations and universities across Canada. She has been doing media talks on reconciliation and the future. It’s all very positive, and people are very interested in being a part of this important conversation.
The VP (AI) facilitated the Prince George MMIW Pre-Inquiry Process on January 15th
The VP (AI) attended a National Education Roundtable hosted by the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation in Winnipeg on January 13th & 14th
The VP (AI) facilitated the Thunder Bay MMIW Pre-Inquiry Process on January 6th
Spoke to the Walk A Mile Film #5, and answered commentary and questions for the North West Local Health Integration Network at the request of Larry Spence, Senior Aboriginal Planning and Community Engagement Consultant on December 2nd
The VP (AI) and Bill Taylor facilitated, “Building Cross-Cultural Understanding” FNMI Training, for MNRF in Sioux Lookout on November 25th
The VP (AI) spoke at the “Reconciliation and Youth” at the Canadian Federation of University Students on November 24th and took one high school student – Gilchrist Ooshag and Jenna Carew.
The VP (AI) spent time with students during the, “Metis Youth Engagement” sessions held by the MNO Offices, Thunder Bay on November 22nd
Frances Wesley and the VP (AI) offered, “Cross Cultural Training on Historic Trauma” for the Judicial Committee in Thunder Bay on November 21st
The VP (AI) delivered a key note address at the, “Charting Our Pathway Forward” Chiefs of Ontario Education Conference in Thunder Bay on November 18th
The VP (AI) attended a “Teach for Canada Fund Raiser” with Hon. Paul Martin and Dr. Alika LaFonatine at the home of Heather Reismann (Indigo Books) on November 17th
On November 9th the Director of the Centre for Truth and Reconciliation attended two community sessions at Lakehead University. We had an excellent turnout and Mr. Ry Moran explained the ways and mean for accessing documents, videos, and personal
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information from the NCTR database. In the evening he attended a session with students discussing “Intergenerational Impact” where we had 7 students share their stories with other students and with community members – both were very powerful events for community members to take in.
The VP (AI) delivered key note address to the, “Indigenizing the Academy” for Canadian Association of University Teachers in Winnipeg, Manitoba on November 6th
The VP (AI) delivered a key note address on, “Truth and Reconciliation and Health Care” for the Association of Midwives, Canada, Montreal, Quebec on November 5th
The VP (AI) attended the Opening of the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation at the University of Manitoba and hosted a CBC Syndicate (3 hours) on November 3rd
Aboriginal Cultural & Support Services
Prospective Students
ACSS met with students from Pelican Falls First Nations High School who were on tour at Lakehead University on November 25th. A total of 20 students were introduced to our programs and services.
ACSS participated in Enrolment Services/Undergraduate Recruitment’s Preview Day Student Life Expo on December 8th. The event was held in the Agora and ACSS had an information table set-up. Students participated in campus tours and the information fair portion of the event where ACSS met with 19 students and shared about Aboriginal student supports and services.
Student Services (Orientation, Academic, Financial, Social, Transitions, Mental Health)
ACSS organized a Student Panel on the Intergenerational Effects of Residential Schools on the evening of November 9th following the National Centre for Truth & Reconciliation’s Community Engagement Session held earlier in the day. This student panel event was attended by 66 students and 10 other participants made up of NCTR staff, LU Elders, AI and ACSS staff.
ACSS hosted a Student Survey Party on November 24th as an added effort to have more students complete the survey.
ACSS attended the First Generation Student Success Fair on November 25th in the Chancellor Paterson Library Commons. ACSS programs and services were promoted to 40 students who stopped by our information table.
Our monthly Miijim Noongam, Aboriginal Student Potluck, was held on November 26th in the Aboriginal Student Lounge.
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On December 4th, the ACSS Coordinator picked up food donations from Anishinabek Employment & Training Services. The donated food was divided into 10 food boxes. Names of all 48 students who signed up were entered into a draw for the 10 food boxes.
ACSS hosted an Aboriginal Student Family Holiday Party on December 5th. A total of 33 students along with 17 children attended. Santa Clause stopped by to visit and handed out gifts to all those who had registered their children from ages 0-12. Food, holiday treats, and prizes were available to everyone in attendance.
ACSS participated in the Student Success Centre’s Winter Re-Orientation event held in the Agora on January 5th. The event showcased various services available to our students. A total of 24 students stopped by the ACSS information table.
ACSS hosted a Welcome Back Open House on January 7th. Pizza and prizes were available and a total of 40 students and 6 staff attended.
ACSS is working collaboratively with the Lakehead University Student Union (LUSU) and Healthy Minds Canada in bringing Movies for Mental Health to campus on February 9th. This joint initiative will help generate awareness and compassion on the subject of mental health. The two-hour campus workshop consists of a guided discussion on mental health, three short films will be shown, and students will be connected to accessible resources on-campus and within the larger community. Art with Impact hosts an ongoing monthly film contest that awards winning filmmakers a $1,000.00 cash prize. They are hoping to have Aboriginal students attend to discuss mental health and the need for films with First Nation stories and it is hoped some of our students will be interested in making a film. Art with Impact was recently at McMaster University hosting a similar event.
Student Cultural Services
ACSS has organized a series of Women’s Hand Drum Practice sessions for December 2nd, January 13th, 27th, February 10th, 24th, and March 2nd & 9th. It is hoped the female students who made hand drums last year will be able to perform a women’s hand drum special at LUNSA’s upcoming powwow.
Elder-in-Residence Gerry Martin was available for student visits on November 4th, 5th, 12th, 18th, 26th, December 2nd, 3rd, 9th, and 10th. During these visits, a total of 60 students dropped by for traditional counselling and/or traditional teachings. Elder-in- Residence Beatrice Twance-Hynes was available for student visits on November 25th and in total 12 students dropped in to see her for traditional counselling and/or traditional teachings. Elder Ella Gagnon has hosted beading/craft circles on November 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th, and December 1st and has fresh bannock available for all students. On November 20th and December 9th, Elder Gene Nowegejick held Sweat
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Lodge Ceremonies and a total of 23 participants attended the ceremonies and received traditional teachings on the sweat lodge.
Our Winter Feast will be held in the Aboriginal Student Lounge on Thursday, January 14th from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Everyone is welcome to attend!
ACSS and AI attended a meeting at the Law School with Interim Dean Lisa Philipps and members of the Indigenous Law Student Association (ILSA) on November 18th. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss establishing and maintaining a visiting Elder Program and to discuss the need for designated student space as well as cultural supports.
ACSS organized an Elders Gathering on Monday, December 21st in the Faculty Lounge. The purpose of the session was to update the Elders on various happenings throughout the University, to discuss plans for the upcoming year and to generate ideas on how we can continue to provide opportunities for our Elders to connect with the youth. Elders were also invited to make a video following the session. Six students were on hand to video record Elders who were willing to share a teaching or story. Dr. Peggy Smith and Dr. Wesley-Esquimaux also attended the gathering to give the Elders an update on the O-AGC Advisors report entitled, The Status of Indigenous Initiatives at Lakehead University 2015. Members of Lakehead University’s Elders Council including Elders Gerry Martin, Gene Nowegejick, and Beatrice Twance-Hynes attended, as well as Elders from the wider community including Elders Fred Suggashie, Frances Wesley, Dolores Wawia, William Esquega, Arthur Moore, and Isabelle Mercier were in attendance.
Other
ACSS has worked collaboratively with AI to produce an Aboriginal Student Survey and after consultation with Institutional Analysis, the survey was disseminated to all self- identified Aboriginal students both online and in-person. The survey became available to students on October 23rd and closed on December 4th. A Student Survey table was set up in the Agora on various dates and times in order to capture as many students as possible. The survey was developed to determine how both AI and ACSS can continue to meet student needs and to hear new ideas that students have in terms of future programs and services. Data analysis and a final report will be in progress very soon; 2 graduate students have agreed to take on this task and will be supported in this endeavour by Dr. Chris Mushquash.
The ACSS Coordinator continues to attend meetings of CLAN, Student Affairs, the O- AGC Advisors Committee and the O-AGC as permitted. ACSS also attended a meeting on December 16th with Snowden & Associates, Higher Education Consultants. The meeting was an opportunity to provide input on issues around Aboriginal student
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engagement, recruitment, and retention, etc. ACSS continues to attend bi-monthly meetings with First Nation post-secondary education counsellors and continues to host First Nation post-secondary education counsellors on campus for regular monthly student visits. An Elders Council meeting was held on November 6th with a focus on planning for the next academic year.
ACSS attended the National Centre for Truth & Reconciliation (NCTR) Community Engagement Session on November 9th in the Faculty Lounge. A total of 108 participants were in attendance throughout the day. The purpose of the session was to engage community members on discussions and updates from the NCTR and also to gather input from community members on residential school records, privacy, and access.
The ACSS Coordinator attended the Chiefs of Ontario (COO) Charting Our Own Path Forward Education Symposium held on November 17th-19th at the Victoria Inn. The Opening Keynote Address was shared by The Right Honourable Paul Martin and focused on next steps for First Nations education given the current political climate. The Closing Keynote Address was given by Chief Wilton Littlechild, Commissioner, Truth & Reconciliation Commission (TRC) and included highlights on the TRC’s 12 key recommendations. The conference was an excellent opportunity to learn about the COO’s Ontario-wide framework for First Nations education; a living document that is hoped will provide the necessary direction in attaining a vision for First Nation education in Ontario. The work of the conference captured ideas, models, and tools through participation of First Nation education leaders in Ontario and those in attendance at the conference, which included a focus on the concept of lifelong learning.
ACSS attended the Aboriginal Initiatives Holiday Open House on December 2nd. A table featuring ACSS student supports and services was set-up during the Open House and ACSS staff provided information and answered questions from guests throughout the event.
The ACSS Coordinator, as Vice President and Lakehead District Representative for the Ontario Native Education Counsellors Association (ONECA) hosted an ONECA District meeting on November 5th. Also, ONECA Board training and a Board meeting was held on December 10, 11, 12, 13, 2015 in Sault Ste. Marie, which the Coordinator also attended.
The ACSS Coordinator assisted Student Accessibility Services with the invigilation of an Engineering exam on December 14th.
The ACSS Coordinator scheduled a meeting with Dr. Cynthia Wesley-Esquimaux and Bruce Beardy, Coordinator of the Native Language Instructors Program (NLIP) on January 5th. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss bursaries for NLIP students and ACSS cultural support throughout the duration of their studies in July.
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The ACSS Coordinator has been meeting with the LUNSA Powwow Committee to begin making arrangements for this year’s Powwow. The LUNSA Powwow is scheduled for March 11, 12, 13, 2016 in the CJ Saunders Fieldhouse.
Coordinator of Graduate & External Relations
Administration
On November 9, 2015 the Coordinator attended the Research & Innovation Week sub- committee meeting. The committee is organizing the speakers and logistics for Social Justice day, which will occur on Monday, March 7th.
On November 9, 2015, the Coordinator facilitated “Thinking About Grad Studies” session with Student Success and Graduate Studies. Twenty-two students attended from both campuses.
On November 13, 2015 the Coordinator hosted a Community Engagement session with the Native Access Program students at Shelter House Thunder Bay. The students met with staff to learn about four significant programs offered, Managed Alcohol Program, Street Outreach, Community Kitchen and overall Shelter House.
On November 20, 2015, the Coordinator attended the Bora Laskin Faculty of Law Aboriginal Advisory Committee meeting. The primary purpose for the meeting was to plan a retreat for law school and partners and to discuss plans around recruitment, admissions, and student services.
On November 25, 2015 hosted a table at the Student Success Fair on behalf of Aboriginal & Cultural Support Services promoting student program offerings.
On December 2, 2015 met with Lakehead Public Schools about Team Achieve enrolment.
External Relations
On November 9, 2015, attended the National Centre for Truth & Reconciliation Community Engagement session hosted on campus. The session focus was to engage community about their hopes and dreams as the center moves forward.
On November 16, 2015, the Coordinator attended the Confederation College Metis flag ceremony and opening to Aboriginal Awareness week.
On November 17-19, 2015 the Coordinator attended the Chiefs of Ontario Education Symposium. The group consisted of a diverse array of leadership from the city and region. The primary goal was to establish a support framework for First Nation education in Ontario.
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Other
On November 6-7, 2015 the Coordinator and Vice Provost, Aboriginal Initiatives attended Canadian Association University Teachers (CAUT) Forum for Aboriginal Academic Staff in Winnipeg, MB. Explored in detail were the implications of austerity measures on Aboriginal academic staff and programs, what staff associations could do to promote Indigenous knowledge and support staff and further, how to build inclusive academic cultures.
On November 11 and 13, 2015 the Coordinator was a guest lecture for Dr. Sylvane Filice in her Community Health Nursing class. The focus of the lecture was on community health nursing in remote community.
On November 24, 2015 the Coordinator was a guest lecture for Dr. Sally Dampier at Confederation College, Community Health Nursing class. The same lecture was delivered to the college cohort.
On November 24, 2015 the Coordinator attended the Lakehead University Report to the Community Luncheon hosted at the Valhalla Inn.
On December 2, 2015 the Coordinator attended Aboriginal Cultural & Support Services Open House.
On December 3, 2015 the Coordinator attended Humanities 101 graduation ceremony.
On December 9, 2015 the Coordinator attended Natural Resource Management masters defense by Stephanie Seymour.
On December 10, 2015 the Coordinator attended Indigenous Learning proposals presentations.
Aboriginal Outreach and Recruitment 2016 APSIP AGM Orillia AOR is coordinating the 2016 January APSIP AGM being hosted in by the Thunder Bay campus in Orillia. Over two-days Lakehead will host 24 recruiters from various Ontario Colleges and Universities. The AGM is a semi annual meeting that includes the election of the 2016/17 APSIP executive, recruitment planning for the 2016/17 tour as well as communications, marketing and governance duties. Student meetings AOR met with 9 students in this reporting period. The student’s needs were based around program changes, admission and registration questions and concerns with one student needing assistance and referral to the writing centre. All of the issues were dealt with in a timely manner and with the support and assistance of services departments.
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Toastmasters Youth Leadership Dennis Franklin Cromarty Toastmasters Youth Leadership Certificate Program Lakehead University’s Storytellers group is an Aboriginal focused Toastmasters group that aims to promote and facilitate public speaking on the Thunder Bay campus. In 2015 the Storytellers group was Awarded the Toastmasters Keith Hardy award for facilitating 3 Toastmasters Youth Leadership Certificate programs. Once again this year the Storytellers group is leading the way in the Toastmasters organization aiming at facilitating 6 Youth Leadership programs and on track to once again being awarded the Keith Hardy Award. AOR is scheduled to facilitate 3 additional TMYL programs in both the Catholic and Public Boards. The TMYL program partners perfectly with the Paul Martin Initiatives classes or AYEP Aboriginal Youth Entrepreneur Program curriculum. TMYL has become a positive way to connect with students and foster stronger relationships in the schools. TMYL is an in class program designed to expose youth to the TM program as well as engage and educate them in public speaking and leadership. Students also participated in an impromptu speaking exercise that demonstrated the importance of “off the cuff “ speaking skills for job interviews, advocacy, and as an essential life skill for professional development and personal success. This year we have been asked to facilitate 5 programs, and expand the program to the Catholic board as well. This is a wonderful program connecting us to students over a 6-session period and again promoting Lakehead as the home university and creating early connections and fostering relationships with high school students and teaching staff. Public Speaking presentation Native Nurses Entry Program A combined effort by AOR and Toastmasters facilitated a presentation to the 2015/16 NNEP class. The presentation included a variety of topics from a B.E.S.T. presentation, public speaking tips, importance, applications in post secondary and careers to the discussion of the formal Toastmasters program. KHis Internet High School Presentation and Toastmasters Youth Leadership program AOR was approached by the KHis high school system with a request to facilitate the Toastmasters Youth Leadership Program to their students. A Lakehead University recruitment presentation will be facilitated by AOR on January 21st via video to the 13 remote communities of the KHis school board system. In March Lakehead and Toastmasters will partner to facilitate the Youth Leadership program via video, which will be a first for the TM organization. The hope is to expand the program to many classes in the system.
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Toastmasters Storytellers Club on campus student retention AOR has been coordinating the Storytellers Toastmaster meeting held on campus every second Friday until year-end. The group has a stable base with a variety of students attending around their program responsibilities. Preliminary planning has begun for the facilitation of a additional public speaking certificate program that will be available to the entire University to community. Self –ID Project On July 10th 2015 MTCU requested that all Ontario Publicly funded University’s amend their existing notices of disclosure to reflect the changes to the MTCU act that officially came into force on March 31, 2015. These changes initiated the revamping of the current self-ID survey available to Aboriginal students at the time of registration. With the new changes we need to be transparent and inform students who choose to self-ID the how, why and when of the use of the information moving forward. In light of this, AOR in partnership with the Office of Institutional Planning and Analysis, agreed to change the accessibility of self-declaration on-line, making it permanently accessible to students throughout their entire academic career. Overtime, the new change hopes to see an increase in the participation of the self-ID survey to better reflect the number of Aboriginal students enrolled. The four-part project also hopes to see the addition of a self-ID campaign. The target for completion is for the 2016/17 registration cycle. Goal: Update current self-ID survey to reflect best practices as outlined in the Council of Ontario Universities Aboriginal Self-Identification Project Final Report (2013).
Item Progress
1. Create / update In progress. Working with Web Development Services. webpage explaining the Completion early summer. purpose and benefits of self-ID.
2. Make self-ID survey Completed. Self-Id survey is now permanently accessible permanently accessible through myInfo. Note students may not retract a self-ID to students. here.
3. Make the process of Started. Exploring idea of designating a person within AI retracting an Aboriginal to help a student who may wish to retract a self-ID. self-ID more user friendly.
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4. Update survey to Started. conform with current best practices. Three levels of self-ID: • Aboriginal Ancestry • Aboriginal Identity • Authorization of disclosure to other parties.
Tours AOR participated in 2 tours for First Nations schools, Lac La Croix and Pelican Falls in partnership with ACSS. Students were given appropriate recruitment materials and had the opportunity to speaking with staff from AI and ACSS. Toronto Catholic Board School Tour AOR is working with the Superior Green Stone Board to coordinate and facilities a 1 day campus tour and faculty activities for the Toronto Catholic School Board student group who will be arriving in May. Preliminary planning is underway for hands on faculty activities and recruitment presentation. Spring Recruitment Regional schools follow up ISV’s AOR will be travelling to northwest regional schools from February 1st to February 5th 2016. Follow up visits will be made to APSIP fall tour week one schools from Sioux Lookout, Dryden, Kenora, Fort Frances, Rainy River and ending in Thunder Bay. Lakehead will be traveling with Trent Universities Aboriginal Recruiter for cost sharing purposes. The hope is to connect with students who showed interest in applying to Lakehead for the Fall 2016/17 year as well as garner additional interest from students. The trend from some students seems to be that they begin to really consider their options and follow up on interests in the winter term, which better aligns with the opening of First Nation Post Secondary funding applications. Rekindling Interest within Local High School AOR has been approached by Hammarskjold high school’s Aboriginal Achievement Facilitator to coordinate a tour for their Aboriginal Students. The trend in recent years has been a lack of interest or initiative from this school to participate in Lakehead University students Initiatives such as Aboriginal Preview Day or AMP Day on campus.
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Word of tours including hands on activities within faculties has renewed their interest and planning is underway to host the students for a Hammarskjold exclusive day. The hopes with this renewed partnership is to see increased future interest and participation in on campus student engagement with a renewed confidence from staff to encourage students to consider Lakehead as their first choice for post secondary studies. A new FNMI staff appointment at the board level is focusing on reviving a positive atmosphere for the Aboriginal student body at the school. We are looking forward to a renewed excitement in the relationship moving forward. Educators Seminar and Office of Aboriginal Initiatives Educators Breakfast AOR participated with mainstream recruitment to ensure the integration of Aboriginal Programs and services into this year’s agenda, however the agenda for this year’s seminar is quite full. AI and Recruitment have agreed to hold 2 events this year to accommodate the numerous projects and work being done in the Office of Aboriginal Initiatives. Proposed date The event will focus on Aboriginal Initiatives, projects, programs and services. Invites will go out to all Aboriginal staff, counselors and support workers from both boards as well as other institutions and city wide programs. The goal is to create and foster relationships, educate and promote Lakehead University as the home institution AI will hold its own event at a later date with an Aboriginal Focus and recruitment will be presenting as part of this event. The hope is a full day educator’s conference that will have all content integrated throughout the day to ensure information is reaching the target audiences. Initiatives moving forward 2016/17 Anthropology, AMP and Big Grassy project AOR is working with the AMP program and the department of Anthropology to extend a new branch of AMP to the Big Grassy community. The project stems from a community elders Anthropological discovery. Big Grassy has expressed their hope to use the artifacts as tools for education in the communities. There is a resurgence of culture and renewed pride happening with their youth. Combined Aboriginal Preview Day and Aboriginal Mentorship Science Fair. To increase the exposure of the AMP students to the Lakehead University campus and community AOR and AMP are moving forward with planning for a 2 day combined Aboriginal Preview Day and AMP Science Fair. The 2-day event will allow for Aboriginal Preview Day students to be exposed to the AMP Science Fair projects and participants while allowing for AMP students to
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participate in additional faculty activities as well as Admissions and Student Support Services presentations. Current attendance for each individual event is just upwards of 100 to 140 students the hope is to see a combined event over 2 days seeing upwards of 200 to 250 students participating in a variety of student life and faculty activities over the 2 days. Community Outreach Activities Aboriginal Youth Entrepreneur Business Completion Dennis Franklin Cromarty AOR was invited to participate and judge, with 3 other community organization representatives, the 2015/16 DFC AYEP Business Competition. The panel listened to several AYEP student business proposals with the top 4 being awarded prizes. Projects were judged in several categories such as initiative, creativity, research, feasibility and long-term viability. External Committee membership and participation AYARA Aboriginal Youth and Recognition Awards Committee member 2016 NAD National Aboriginal Day Committee Committee member Giveaway Coordinator 2016 Internal Committee membership and participation Food Services Committee Last meeting November 2015 2016/17 Lakehead University Pow Wow Supportive role to student committee APSIP Communications Sub Committee Committee member Committee responsible for general communications such as new letter, web site development and promotional items
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Native Access Program/University Prep Program External Relations
Jerri-Lynn attended the Indigenous Education Conference: Champions for Change in Six Nations at Six Nations Polytechnic held November 2 and 3rd. The conference presented interactive holistic workshops focusing on Indigenous family health and wellness.
Jerri-Lynn, Hazem and Anne Marie presented the Blanket Exercise to Lakehead Public School staff during Mr. Darren Lentz AQ course on Monday November 11. From this experience we have been invited to various public schools to present the Blanket Exercise: Superior CVI, Grade 12’s about 25 students on Nov. 25, Kingsway School, Grade 7 and 8’s about 70 students,
Attended the Matawa Post-Secondary Christmas Dinner with Ms. Sheila Demerah hosted at the Prince Arthur.
Attended, via videoconference, the Dr. Mary Young Travel Fund Session hosted by the University of Alberta by Dr. Janice Huber and Dr. Jean Clandinin.
Internal Relations
Jerri-Lynn attended the National Truth and Reconciliation’s community engagement session held in the Faculty Lounge.
Attended the Successful thesis and portfolio journey’s session hosted by the Faculty of Education. This session will help with preparing Jerri-Lynn for when she begins writing her thesis.
Attended the Lakehead Report to the Community Luncheon held on November 24 at the Valhalla in with other members of the AI team.
Met with Ms. Joy Nieminen, the Native Nurses Entry Program Coordinator. We discussed what has been working for each of our programs and how we could support one another through the academic years and traded ideas.
Jerri-Lynn met with twice with Dr. Nancy Luckai, Deputy Provost to discuss NAP. We talked about the English course and how we could improve it as well as how we might be able to implement a credit for the UT course. For the second meeting we also met with Ms. Rebecca Menhard and Dr. Douglas Ivison to see what the best courses would be for English for the NAP students.
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Met with Ms. Tamara Bernard to discuss NAP. She has been hired in the Faculty of Education to promote the Aboriginal Education programs and she wanted to find out more about NAP.
Attended the Lakehead University holiday gathering held in the Main Cafeteria.
Attended the ACSS Welcome back open house on January 7, 2016.
Students
Worked with Ms. Yolanda Wanakamik to create the second Community Engagement session for the NAP students, which was held on Friday November 13, 2015 at the Thunder Bay Shelter House. Students met at the Shelter House and were presented with what they do to empower the homeless community in Thunder Bay. We then had a time to chat and ask questions and the day ended with preparing a lunch for the Shelter House clients. It was a great time of service learning and community involvement and we had terrific feedback from the students, things such as they did not have any idea what they offered or how they helped the community. Yolanda is currently working on the third and final Community Engagement session for the NAP students for the winter term. The coordinator feels this is an important part of the University Transitions course and a great benefit to the students and hopes to continue it in years to come!
Jerri-Lynn met with NAP students individually in order to empower them to finish the fall term in a strong way. There were some students struggling to get work in. With some encouragement many were able to complete assignments and get their work in.
Had the last instructor’s meeting of the term on November 26th to discuss student progress. Attendance had been declining a bit and assignments were slow to get in. Once again, Jerri-Lynn connected with the NAP students who were struggling and was able to empower them to get work in. Instructors also took time to meet with those students who were struggling in their course.
Students took the Strong Interest Inventory testing in the University Transitions course with Ms. Christina Buzzi, Student Success Centre, in preparation for the 3rd Annual Undergraduate Exploration Day.
Met with Ms. Anna Chief, Aboriginal Outreach and Recruitment to discuss an opportunity to travel across the Northwest to promote NAP, CRE and possibly present the Blanket Exercise.
With the NAP students leading, we have decided to implement a Indigenous Learning Study group on Friday’s from 1:00 to 2:00 pm in RB 2025 until the end of term. The idea behind this is that it will empower students to see the benefits of being
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interdependent, and also show them how to run a study group of their own once they leave NAP and head into the undergraduate program of their choice.
I am in the process of planning, along with Ms. Sheila Pelletier-Demerah, the 3rd Annual Undergraduate Exploration day.
Administration
Ms. Ashley Dokuchie approached Jerri-Lynn with the idea to host a NAP Alumni event. Jerri-Lynn thought this was a great idea and we have met two times so far to start the discussion and begin to implement the first NAP Alumni event. The event will be held on March 3rd, 2016 (more details to follow). We have had two meetings so far and have invited Ms. Kerri-Lynn Cheechoo to be the Keynote speaker. She began her academic career in the NAP and is currently enrolled in a PhD. Program at the University of Ottawa.
Attended the A.I. Staff meeting held November 20th.
Attended the A.I. Open House held on December 2nd. Jerri-Lynn was able to make some connections with potential NAP students and promote the Canadian Roots Program.
Jerri-Lynn started the second last class of her course work in January 2016.
Aboriginal Mentorship Program (AMP) Aboriginal Mentorship Program (AMP) Attended the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation Community Engagement Session held on November 9th, 2015 in the Faculty Lounge on Lakehead University’s campus. The day long session discussed the work completed by the Truth and Reconciliation Committee thus far; how best to engage the community going forward; accessing data and information on the TRC website; and encouraging academic research using the data collected by the TRC so far. Attended the Lakehead University Report to the Community Luncheon at the Valhalla Inn on November 24th, 2015. The report to the community highlighted some new and innovative research occurring at Lakehead University as well as introducing a few new faculty members. Participated in the Aboriginal Initiatives Holiday Open House held in the Agora on December 2nd, 2015. We had the opportunity to meet with several people from a variety of community agencies as well as Lakehead faculty members. Met with Dr. Scott Hamilton of the Lakehead University Anthropology Department and Ms. Anna Chief (Aboriginal Recruitment Officer) to discuss a partnership between the AMP program and the Anthropology department. Anthropology would like to develop
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programing for all of our AMP students but moreover work with youth from Grassy Narrows First Nation school in spring 2016. AMP hosted a meeting with all of the Faculty and Departments committed to working with AMP this year. The meeting was held in the Governance Conference room on Friday, January 8th from 9:00 am to 11:00 am. The meeting gave the opportunity to discuss the support anticipated from the AMP program (programming & in-class activities, volunteers, on-campus support of AMP students, and support of AMP student research projects) as well the meeting helped to answer a few questions for faculty and departments in regard to how the AMP program works and expected support. The faculties/departments who attended the meeting included; Science and Environmental Studies, Engineering, Business, Northern Ontario School of Medicine, Law, Humanities, Education, English, and History). Also invited were Natural Resource Management, Anthropology, and Health Sciences. Lisa Harris was asked by Dean Jobin-Bevans to speak about the Aboriginal Mentorship Program at the Social Sciences and Humanities Faculty Council meeting on Tuesday, January 12th between 10:00 and 10:30 am. Dean Jobin-Bevans requested the meeting to encourage all of the departments within his faculty to become aware of the AMP program and perhaps find a way to support it.
Thank you, Cynthia Wesley-Esquimaux, Vice-Provost, Aboriginal Initiatives
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