Higher Knowledge
The Gichi Kendaasiwin (GIH-chih ken-DAH-sih-win) Constellation moves the work of Reconciliation from commitment into action by connecting Indigenous-led work across Lakehead, strengthening pathways to postsecondary education while centring Indigenous knowledge and relationships.
The Constellation brings together Indigenous-led spaces, outreach and access programs, and cultural programs rooted in Indigenous knowledge, relationships, and ways of learning.
Together, these initiatives expand access to postsecondary education, help students feel welcome and connected, and contribute to Lakehead’s ongoing work to Indigenize and decolonize its curricula.
Canada’s formal education system has long been shaped by colonial policies and practices that have excluded and harmed Indigenous Peoples. In postsecondary education, that history is reflected in who has had access to university and whose knowledge and ways of learning are valued.
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action, released in 2015, urge educational institutions to recognize and honour Indigenous Peoples’ cultures and ways of knowing.
Addressing these challenges, and responding to the Calls, requires meaningful and comprehensive change.
The vision of the Gichi Kendaasiwin Constellation begins with Lakehead’s commitment to Indigenous youth and their journeys to postsecondary education—starting in junior kindergarten and continuing through high school. Once students enrol at Lakehead, that commitment continues through a constellation of culturally grounded programs and spaces.
The Niijii Indigenous Mentorship Program nurtures youths’ aspirations for higher education.
Lakehead’s Access Programs offer academic preparation and culturally grounded resources.
Students are welcomed into Indigenous-led spaces and connected through cultural programming and mentorship from Elders.
Graduates embark on their journeys well-prepared to excel in their chosen careers and carrying lifelong community connections.
When students arrive on campus, they are welcomed into spaces that foster belonging and connection—like Niijii House, the Gakina Nindinawemaaganag (All My Relations) Indigenous Student Lounge in Thunder Bay, and the Maawnjigamig Indigenous Student Lounge in Orillia. Outdoor spaces include a sweat lodge, tipis, and Gitigaan (garden) sites on each campus.
Purpose-built gathering spaces for Indigenous pedagogy make room for sharing and learning that cannot happen fully in conventional Western classrooms. A planned four-season, Indigenous-led Gathering Place on the Thunder Bay campus will create a dedicated, all-weather space for teaching, ceremony, and land-based learning.
Rendering is for visual reference only and may be adjusted based on final design specifications.
Built with natural, sustainable materials, the river-adjacent Gathering Place will feature outdoor access for land-based learning, a fire pit, solar panels where feasible, and an extended roofline to support traditional practices. Used in accordance with Indigenous protocols, the space will accommodate up to 60 students and faculty.
Led by Indigenous university students, the Niijii Indigenous Mentorship Program helps Indigenous youth explore pathways to postsecondary education through mentorship and hands-on learning rooted in culture and land-based knowledge. Niijii introduces students to career pathways, including STEM fields, helping make those futures more visible and tangible.
The Indigenous STEM Access Program (ISTEM), Indigenous Transition Year Program (ITYP), and Indigenous Nursing Entry Program (INEP) help bridge academic gaps caused by longstanding inequities in access to secondary school courses required for university admission. These eight-month, full-time programs allow students to earn first-year credits toward their chosen degree while accessing wraparound academic, wellness, cultural, and practical resources, including assistance with housing, food, and child care.
Indigenous culture and ceremony are active parts of campus life, with a wide range of gatherings, workshops, and land-based learning opportunities.
The annual Indigenous Students’ Association Powwow, now in its 36th year, welcomes community members and visitors to experience Indigenous cultural practices while honouring traditions and teachings.
The Indigenous Scholars-in-Residence Program provides culturally informed programming and connects students and the broader community with Indigenous scholars from across Canada and around the world, bringing national and international Indigenous perspectives into dialogue with students.
The Elders-in-Residence Program advances Reconciliation by embedding Indigenous knowledge of language, culture, and ceremony within the university.
These three initiatives are integral to the Gichi Kendaasiwin Constellation, helping students remain connected to Indigenous knowledge and community throughout their time at Lakehead.
Lakehead is seeking $10 million to realize and grow key initiatives within the Gichi Kendaasiwin Constellation, including a $1 million pan-campus investment in decolonizing education that will bring key projects into stronger alignment across campuses.
There are several ways to contribute to this work:
The Gathering Place project has advanced significantly through guidance from Elders, architectural planning, and site selection near existing land-based learning spaces. Preliminary designs and construction timelines are in place, but significant resources are now needed to realize this vision.
The Niijii Indigenous Mentorship Program will leverage support to reach more communities while strengthening relationships with existing partners—broadening access for more Indigenous youth to explore and pursue postsecondary education.
Indigenous-led cultural programming can expand through sponsorship of the annual Powwow and investment in honouraria that respect Indigenous Scholars’ and Elders’ roles. This work is foundational to cultural revitalization and to continuing to shape Lakehead into an institution where Indigenous-led teaching and knowledge-sharing are not peripheral, but integral.
We offer personalized recognition packages for individuals, companies, and foundations. Donor recognition will be thoughtfully planned and developed with our donors, with permanent recognition spaces including physical outdoor walkways leading to the Gathering Place, reflecting donor support of the pathways to Indigenous-led learning. Our advancement team will partner with you to create a recognition plan that reflects your philanthropic vision and the transformative impact of your gift.
To discuss how you can support the Gichi Kendaasiwin Constellation, contact:
