Lakehead University student Jake Hume places a candle next to photos of the 14 women who were killed at École Polytechnique de Montréal in 1989.

December 6, 2013 ­­— Thunder Bay, ON

It will take a community approach to end violence against women, said Jayal Chung, Coordinator of Lakehead University’s Gender Issues Centre on today’s National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women.

“Violence against women is a human rights issue. Everyone can begin to address gender-violence by becoming aware of the oppressive structures that support violence and reflecting on the attitudes we hold about women.

“Today’s ceremony is a reminder that gender-violence still exists. It’s a chance to reflect on the daily actions we can do and the greater political actions we can influence to end violence against women. We need to keep working towards a society that is safer and more inclusive, both on and off campus,” Chung said.

A candlelight vigil and moment of silence were held today in the Agora to remember the 14 women who were killed 24 years ago at École Polytechnique de Montréal.

“Ending violence against women is not just a priority for women, women’s groups, or organizations such as our Gender Issues Centre,” said Lakehead President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Brian Stevenson. “As a university, a community, and a society, it is the responsibility of us all to teach each other and our children that violence against others is wrong and it will not be tolerated. Today, we are reminded that while change has occurred, change is still required, and we cannot stop until such violence is eliminated.”

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Media: To arrange an interview, please contact Brandon Walker, Media Relations Officer, at (807) 343-8177.

Lakehead University is a comprehensive university with a reputation for a multidisciplinary teaching approach that emphasizes collaborative learning and independent critical thinking. More than 8,700 students and 1,850 faculty and staff learn and work at campuses located in Orillia, and Thunder Bay, Ontario, which is home to the west campus of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine. Lakehead University promotes innovative research that supports local and regional socio-economic needs. In Orillia, development continues on building a campus that meets Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) standards. For more information about Lakehead University, visit www.lakeheadu.ca.

November 18, 2013 ­­— Thunder Bay, ON

Lakehead University’s recently established Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Mining and Exploration (CESME) will help address challenges faced by Northwestern Ontario’s mining sector at an upcoming conference that will feature several speakers, including Bob Rae.

The Role of Government Policy in Sustainable Mining Development conference will bring together researchers and participants from First Nation, Métis and other local communities, government, and industry on Thursday, Dec. 5 and Friday, Dec. 6, 2013 at Lakehead’s University Centre, Room 1015.

“We will discuss policies regarding infrastructure, Aboriginal and community engagement, environmental protection, workforce development, taxation and benefit-sharing, and business development,” said Dr. Peter Hollings, CESME Director.

“This conference will be of interest to anyone in the mining sector or anyone who is interested in the challenges faced by the mining sector. One of the challenges is pursuing sustainable economic development while ensuring environmental protection and respecting treaty rights,” Hollings said.

The conference, which will be moderated by Dr. Cynthia Wesley-Esquimaux, Lakehead’s Vice-Provost (Aboriginal Initiatives), will examine the past, present and future of public policy in the mining sector in various jurisdictions across Canada.

The past will be investigated through an examination of the development of the Voisey’s Bay nickel mine in Newfoundland and Labrador, as well as past experiences in Ontario.

The present will focus on the state of policy development for mineral development in northern Quebec and northern British Columbia.

The future will focus on visions for the future, including the Ring of Fire in Ontario. Participants will discuss recommendations to inform future policy development in mining in northern Ontario, particularly the Ring of Fire.

The conference will bring together leaders in mining policy and development from Canada and around the world, with a strong participation from First Nation, Métis and local community leaders, industry and government.

There will be a free public session at 7 pm on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2013 at Lakehead’s Thunder Bay campus in University Centre 1017.

Speakers include:

• Bob Rae, chief negotiator for Matawa First Nations Tribal Council in the Ring of Fire
• Bill Gallagher, author of Resource Rulers
• Steve Lindley from SNC Lavalin
• Elsie MacDonald, Webequie First Nation
• Ramsey Hart, MiningWatch Canada
• Jason Aagenes, Cliffs Natural Resources

For further information, please visit http://cesme.lakeheadu.ca/ or contact Dr. Hollings via cesme@lakeheadu.ca or call 807-343-8329.

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Media: To arrange an interview, please contact Brandon Walker, Media Relations Officer, at (807) 343-8177.

Lakehead University is a comprehensive university with a reputation for a multidisciplinary teaching approach that emphasizes collaborative learning and independent critical thinking. More than 8,700 students and 1,850 faculty and staff learn and work at campuses located in Orillia, and Thunder Bay, Ontario, which is home to the west campus of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine. Lakehead University promotes innovative research that supports local and regional socio-economic needs. In Orillia, development continues on building a campus that meets Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) standards. For more information about Lakehead University, visit www.lakeheadu.ca.

November 27, 2013 – Thunder Bay, ON

Lakehead University officials have signed a protocol agreement with Nishnawbe Aski Nation, the Union of Ontario Indians, Grand Council Treaty #3, and Métis Nation of Ontario to establish a strong, meaningful and respectful working relationship regarding the Faculty of Law.

The agreement brings together these Aboriginal leaders who will meet on a semi-annual basis to discuss issues relating to Aboriginal perspectives of the law.

“I look forward to working with First Nation and the Métis Nation organizations in furthering the Faculty of Law’s mandate of focusing on Aboriginal law and understanding of Aboriginal issues, the needs of small practitioners, and natural resources law,” said Faculty of Law Founding Dean Lee Stuesser.

“This protocol agreement establishes a much-needed process for ongoing engagement with the Aboriginal community so priorities from our perspective are identified and understood,” said Nishnawbe Aski Nation Deputy Grand Chief Goyce Kakegamic.

“It is essential that the Faculty of Law remain engaged with First Nation and Métis political organizations to ensure that our perspectives on historical and emerging issues are reflected through the curriculum,” Deputy Grand Chief Kakegamic added.

“Lakehead University, with the new Law School and agreements with First Nations, has taken a positive step in creating a strong environment for our young men and women to be positive role models in the world of education,” said Union of Ontario Indians Regional Grand Chief Peter Collins. 

“Treaty #3 is known for the treaty promise of a shared learning through an education system that provides opportunities for all Anishinaabe to reach their goals,” said Grand Chief Warren White of Grand Council Treaty #3.

“The commitment to an ongoing relationship and a forum where Anishinaabe input into the study of Law through this Protocol agreement is of great value and will benefit those educated in the program and the communities and individuals they will one day work for,” Grand Chief White said.

“As an Aboriginal government in Ontario, the Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) is excited to partner with Lakehead University and other Aboriginal governments through this protocol agreement,” said MNO President Gary Lipinski.

“Métis participation in the Faculty of Law at Lakehead will help address obstacles Aboriginal people face when pursuing postsecondary education, permit a focus on Métis law, attract more Métis to the legal profession and train lawyers who understand the needs of Aboriginal people and communities,” President Lipinski added. 

Lakehead President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Brian Stevenson said this agreement is important because the Faculty of Law owes its existence to the commitment of communities in Northwestern Ontario.

“Nishnawbe Aski Nation was one of the groups that approached Lakehead University to create the Faculty of Law,” Dr. Stevenson said. “We value our partnerships and look forward to working with all of these groups to make the Faculty of Law the best it can be for this community and the region.”

Photo cutline: From left to right are Professor Lee Stuesser, Founding Dean of Lakehead University’s Faculty of Law; Lakehead President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Brian Stevenson; Deputy Grand Chief Goyce Kakegamic, Nishnawbe Aski Nation; Chief Gary Allen from Treaty #3 (signing on behalf of Grand Chief Warren White); Regional Grand Chief Peter Collins from the Union of Ontario Indians; and President Gary Lipinski from Métis Nation of Ontario.

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Media: To arrange an interview, please contact Brandon Walker, Media Relations Officer, at (807) 343-8177.

Lakehead University is a comprehensive university with a reputation for a multidisciplinary teaching approach that emphasizes collaborative learning and independent critical thinking. More than 8,700 students and 1,850 faculty and staff learn and work at campuses located in Orillia, and Thunder Bay, Ontario, which is home to the west campus of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine. Lakehead University promotes innovative research that supports local and regional socio-economic needs. In Orillia, development continues on building a campus that meets Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) standards. For more information about Lakehead University, visit www.lakeheadu.ca

November 22, 2013 ­­— Thunder Bay, ON

Lakehead University’s Faculty of Law has received approval from the Law Society of Upper Canada for its Integrated Practice Curriculum (IPC), the first in Canada to integrate legal professional training into a law degree.

The Faculty of Law’s model of legal education fuses the theory of law with the practice of law. In addition to learning law, students will also acquire the necessary practical skills to use the law effectively.

“Our curriculum is aimed at integrating legal skills with substantive legal knowledge,” said Professor Lee Stuesser, Founding Dean of Lakehead’s Faculty of Law. “Skills are taught progressively and coordinated so they build one upon the other – course by course, year by year.”

“We’re extremely pleased that there are new, innovative pathways providing licensing candidates with choices in fulfilling the licensing process,” says Law Society Treasurer Thomas G. Conway. “I want to commend Lakehead University on this groundbreaking initiative.”

Students enrolled in Lakehead’s Law Program will complete IPC training and placements within their three-year degree.

“Integrating legal skills into the Juris Doctor program is exactly what was proposed by the Carnegie Report into legal education in 2007,” Professor Stuesser explained. “It also mirrors the training and placements offered in other professional programs such as medicine, nursing and education.”

Incorporating IPC and placement into Lakehead’s Law degree program furthers the Faculty of Law’s mission of serving Northern Ontario and providing better access to justice in rural Canada. It will also prove beneficial for students in the program.

The focus of Lakehead’s Law Program is to have students graduate ‘practice ready’ for work in the North and main street Canada. This means that students need to be knowledgeable in Aboriginal law, resource law, and the realities of small firm practice.

“The Faculty of Law at Lakehead will take full advantage of the small class sizes by offering a meaningful experiential education to all of our students. Skills are taught at Lakehead in small classes using hands-on, face-to-face instruction,” said Dr. Rod Hanley, Lakehead University Provost and Vice-President (Academic).

Students will search for placements within Northern Ontario and smaller centres – areas where articling positions are not plentiful but the need for new lawyers is high.

Lakehead Law students will have 18 credit hours of instruction per semester, amounting to 108 credit hours over six semesters of study. A minimum of 90 credit hours is set by the Federation of Law Societies to earn a Law degree. Other Ontario Law programs require between 90 and 96 credit hours.

Lakehead’s IPC will not cost students additional fees or time. The existing tuition will include the IPC training and placement. Graduates of Lakehead’s Law program will not need to article or complete any other course of study.

For information about Lakehead’s IPC, click here: www.lakeheadu.ca/academics/departments/law/ipc

Lakehead University’s Faculty of Law is Ontario’s first new law school in 44 years, and welcomed its charter class of students in September 2013.

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Media: For more information, please contact Brandon Walker, Media Relations Officer, at (807) 343-8177.

Lakehead University is a comprehensive university with a reputation for a multidisciplinary teaching approach that emphasizes collaborative learning and independent critical thinking. More than 8,700 students and 1,850 faculty and staff learn and work at campuses located in Orillia, and Thunder Bay, Ontario, which is home to the west campus of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine. Lakehead University promotes innovative research that supports local and regional socio-economic needs. In Orillia, development continues on building a campus that meets Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) standards. For more information about Lakehead University, visit www.lakeheadu.ca.

Lakehead University presents its 2012-2013 Annual Report in Orillia at a luncheon on November 13 at Hawk Ridge Golf and Country Club. Shown above (l to r) are Lakehead student Christina Petsinis, who was recognized as a Presidential Scholarship winner; Lakehead University President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Brian Stevenson; Orillia Campus Acting Dean Dr. Herman van den Berg; and Lakehead student Sami Pritchard, who shared her Lakehead experience with guests.

Our Thunder Bay campus's Report to Community was presented in a TV talk show format in front of a capacity crowd in the main cafeteria. (Left to Right:  Principal of Kakebeka Falls School, Heather Harris; Lakehead Psychology Professor, Dr. Ed Rawana; Paterson Foundation President & CEO, Don Paterson; Nordic Ski Team member and first-year NOSM student, Daphne Haggarty;  and Lakehead President, Dr. Brian Stevenson, who hosted the event.)

November 15, 2013 – Thunder Bay and Orillia, ON

Lakehead University is celebrating its success stories in Northwestern Ontario and Central Ontario through the release of the 2012-13 Annual Report.

The Annual Report describes the outstanding teaching and research occurring at both of Lakehead University’s campuses, and includes performance indicators and financial statements for 2012-13.

“What we’ve achieved over the past year proves that we are on the right track in our mission to be recognized as an innovative comprehensive university,” said Lakehead President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Brian Stevenson.

A major milestone was the approval of the 2013-18 Strategic Plan.

“The Strategic Plan is based on five directions – nurturing scholarship, learner-centred student experience, growth and capacity development, community engagement, and economic development,” said Board of Governors Chair Cameron Clark. “By focusing on these directions, we are endeavouring to realize our vision of providing a transformative university experience that is far from ordinary.”

“The Report to the Community is something I look forward to every year,” President Stevenson added. “This Report and these events are essential to our mission to be recognized as an innovative comprehensive university that provides an education that is about how to think, not what to think."

Annual Report’s Top 10 Stories of 2012-2013:

1. Canadian statesman Derek Burney becomes Lakehead’s new Chancellor;
2. Simcoe County’s $1 million gift to Lakehead Orillia brings their total donation to $2.5 million;
3. $1 million gift from The Paterson Foundation puts the Faculty of Law on the right path;
4. Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Mining and Exploration (CESME) launched;
5. Inaugural academic appointments to the Faculty of Law;
6. Lakehead approves Strategic Plan for 2013-2018 and undertakes major re-branding initiative;
7. Cynthia Wesley-Esquimaux hired as Vice-Provost (Aboriginal Initiatives);
8. Georgian College and Lakehead University announce a new partnership focused on innovative student learning;
9. Lakehead faculty and students garner $2.9 million in funding from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council and $1.44 million from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council for ground-breaking research work;
10. Orillia campus reaches out to elementary students with Hands-on Science program.
    

Lakehead’s 2012-2013 Annual Report was presented to the Northwestern Ontario community at a Report to the Community breakfast, November 15. Central Ontario stakeholders had a Report to the Community luncheon on November 13.

 Read the 2012-2013 Annual Report online at report.lakeheadu.ca and discover why Lakehead University is far from ordinary.

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Media: To arrange an interview, please contact Brandon Walker, Media Relations Officer, at (807) 343-8177.

Lakehead University is a comprehensive university with a reputation for a multidisciplinary teaching approach that emphasizes collaborative learning and independent critical thinking. More than 8,700 students and 1,850 faculty and staff learn and work at campuses located in Orillia, and Thunder Bay, Ontario, which is home to the west campus of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine. Lakehead University promotes innovative research that supports local and regional socio-economic needs. In Orillia, development continues on building a campus that meets Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) standards. For more information about Lakehead University, visit www.lakeheadu.ca.

Wednesday, November 20, 2013 – Thunder Bay

Lakehead University researchers are receiving more than $1.4 million from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) to improve the quality of people’s lives.

Dr. Michel Bédard will improve the lives of seniors, Dr. Vicki Kristman will help injured workers return to work faster and Dr. Eli Nix will improve the health of Northern Ontario’s Aboriginal people.

Dr. Bédard, a Professor in Lakehead’s Department of Health Sciences and Director of the Centre for Research on Safe Driving, is receiving a five-year CIHR Operating grant for $557,479 to develop a standardized process to assess senior drivers.

“There’s a need for a specialized assessment that will be faster and cheaper, allowing more people to be evaluated, and a process that is more transparent and has better evidence behind it to benefit seniors.

“We will use this process to identify areas where seniors can improve their driving instead of focusing only on taking away their licences, which will also make roads safer,” Dr. Bédard said, adding that this research wouldn’t be possible without the CIHR operating grant.

“It’s a fairly large project involving two sites (St. Joseph’s Care Group in Thunder Bay and the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute) and several co-applicants,” Dr. Bédard added.

“We are pleased to partner with Lakehead University for this very important study,” said Tracy Buckler, President & CEO of St. Joseph’s Care Group.

“In a few years, a significant portion of our population will be over age sixty-five. The privilege of driving helps seniors remain independent and mobile. One of our priorities in Seniors’ Care is to create safe and independent environments. This research will ensure that senior drivers are fairly assessed so they can continue to safely drive for as long as possible,” Buckler said. 

Dr. Vicki Kristman, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Health Sciences, is receiving a three-year CIHR Operating grant of $331,223 to evaluate a supervisor training program that will increase return-to-work rates for injured workers.

Her study, called the Supervisor Training Program for Work Disability Prevention, aims to increase the opportunity for problem solving that will improve a supervisor’s response to prevent or decrease work disability, and improve return-to-work rates.

“This randomized controlled trial is being done in conjunction with the Institute for Work & Health in Toronto,” Dr. Kristman said.

“We will train selected clinical and maintenance supervisors from a large Toronto hospital. The goal is to improve communication between supervisors, employees, unions, and health care providers to decrease time away from work due to injury,” Dr. Kristman said.

“Providing supervisors with tools to improve their response to musculoskeletal and other workplace injuries may improve worker health and disability outcomes,” Dr. Kristman added. She also received a one-year CIHR grant worth $100,000 in March to develop the supervisor training program.

Dr. Eli Nix, a post-doctoral fellow at Lakehead’s Northern Ontario School of Medicine, is receiving a two-year CIHR Fellowship Award for $92,000 to examine why Aboriginal populations in Northern Ontario suffer from high rates of invasive bacterial infection caused by Haemophilus Influenzae Type A.

“We are studying the antibodies from volunteers to determine the level of natural immunity against the bacteria possessed by Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people from our region.  We hope to lay the groundwork for the development of a vaccine against Haemophilus Influenzae Type A,” Dr. Nix said.

“Consistent with the Northern Ontario School of Medicine's social accountability mandate, many research projects at the School are addressing the health needs of the people and communities of Northern Ontario,” said Dr. Greg Ross, NOSM's Associate Dean of Research.

“I extend my sincere congratulations to Dr. Nix, both for his receipt of this highly competitive funding, but also for his commitment to undertaking research with Aboriginal communities in a way which is culturally competent and appropriate,” Dr. Ross added.

Lakehead University’s researchers continue to be recognized for their work by the CIHR and other important agencies.

“Our researchers are making important discoveries that will benefit people of all ages and from all walks of life,” said Dr. Umed Panu, Lakehead University’s Associate Vice-President of Research, Economic Development & Innovation.

“Without the support of the CIHR, many of our researchers would be unable to undertake this important work,” said Dr. Rodney Hanley, Lakehead’s Provost and Vice-President (Academic).

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Media: For more information, please contact Brandon Walker, Media Relations Officer, at (807) 343-8177 or mediarelations@lakeheadu.ca

Lakehead University is a comprehensive university with a reputation for a multidisciplinary teaching approach that emphasizes collaborative learning and independent critical thinking. More than 8,700 students and 1,850 faculty and staff learn and work at campuses located in Orillia, and Thunder Bay, Ontario, which is home to the west campus of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine. Lakehead University promotes innovative research that supports local and regional socio-economic needs. In Orillia, development continues on building a campus that meets Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) standards. For more information about Lakehead University, visit www.lakeheadu.ca.

Lakehead University CIHR Awards 2012-2013

Operating Grants

Michel Bédard, Department of Health Sciences, Development of a three-tiered, standardized process to assess senior drivers, $557,479 (five year grant).

Lynn Hunt, Knowledge User, the Ottawa Hospital Rehabilitation Centre

Randy Middleton, Knowledge User, St. Joseph’s Care Group

Sacha Dubois, Co-applicant, St. Joseph’s Care Group

Hillel Finestone, Co-applicant, Bruyère Continuing Care

Sylvain Gagnon, Co-applicant, University of Ottawa

Carrie Gibbons, Co-applicant, St. Joseph’s Care Group

Shawn Marshall, Co-applicant Ottawa Hospital Research Institute

Nadia Mullen, Co-applicant, Lakehead University

Gary Naglie, Co-applicant, Baycrest Centre for Geriatric Care

Janice Polgar, Co-applicant, University of Western Ontario

Bruce Weaver, Co-applicant, Lakehead University

Vicki Kristman, Department of Health Sciences, A supervisor training program for work disability prevention: a cluster randomized controlled trial, $331,223 (three year grant).

Benjamin Amick, Co-applicant, Institute for Work and Health

Cécile Boot, Co-applicant, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

Sheilah Hogg-Johnson, Co-applicant Institute for Health and Work

Patrick Loisel, Co-applicant, University of Toronto

William Shaw, Co-applicant, Liberty Mutual Research Institute for Safety

Vicki Kristman, Department of Health Sciences, Priority Announcement:  Population Health Interventions, A supervisor training program for work disability prevention: a Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial, $100,000 (one year grant).

Benjamin Amick, Co-applicant, Institute for Work and Health

Cécile Boot, Co-applicant, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

Sheilah Hogg-Johnson, Co-applicant Institute for Health and Work

Patrick Loisel, Co-applicant, University of Toronto

William Shaw, Co-applicant, Liberty Mutual Research Institute for Safety

Planning Grant

Jaro Kotalik, Centre for Health Care Ethics, Priority Announcement, Ethics, Ethical Quality of Health Care: The Aboriginal Story, $16,805 (one year grant).

Dissemination Events - Priority Announcement:  First Nations, Inuit and Métis Health Grant

Mary Lou Kelley, School of Social Work, Translating Indigenous Knowledge into Palliative Care Policy and Practice: Creating a Dialogue between Four First Nations Communities, Health Care Decision-makers and Researchers, $24,909 (one year grant).

Bruce Minore, Co-applicant, Centre for Rural and Northern Health Research

Ian Newhouse, School of Kinesiology, Director, Centre for Education and Research on Aging and Health

Holly Prince, Centre for Education and Research on Aging and Health

CIHR Café Scientifiques

Michel Bédard, Department of Health Sciences, Research Findings on Driving and the Elderly:  Canadian Driving Research Initiative for Vehicular Safety in the Elderly (Candrive), $3,000 (one year grant).

CIHR Fellowship Awards

Eli Nix, Faculty of Medicine, West Campus, Priority Announcement (Research in First Nations, Métis and/or Inuit Health), Prevention of Invasive Haemophilus Influenzae Infection in Canadian Aboriginal Communities, $92,000 (two year award, stipend and research allowance), supervisor, Dr. Marina Ulanova, Faculty of Medicine, West Campus.

Katalin Modis, Regulation of vascular endothelial cell bioenergetics by H2S in health and under oxidative stress, $90,000 (two year award, stipend and research allowance), Supervisor, Dr. Rui Wang, Department of Biology.

Doctoral Award - Frederick Banting and Charles Best Canada Graduate Scholarships                                                                           

Ashley Untereiner, PhD Biotechnology, The interaction of H2S and PGC-lalpha on hepatic gluconeogenesis in diabetes, $81,667 (three year award), Supervisor:  Dr. Lily Wu.

Doctoral Research Award - Priority Announcement: IAPH Quantitative Research Award                                                            

Taslim Alani, PhD Clinical Psychology, Healing the Whole Self: Developing a Holistic Psychotherapy for First Nations Women with Experiences of Intimate Partner Violence, $108,000 (three year award), Supervisor:  Dr. Mirella Stroink.

November 12, 2013 – Thunder Bay, ON

Lakehead University’s Vocal Ensemble is partnering with the Dulcisono Women’s Choir and the Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra to perform Benjamin Britten’s cantata Saint Nicolas to mark the centenary of the famous composer’s birth.

“This piece is full of excitement and drama and features singers of all ages,” said Dr. Dean Jobin-Bevans, Associate Professor in Lakehead’s Department of Music and one of two conductors for the performance.

“There will be tremendous community impact generated from this performance, which is typical of the larger musical works by Britten. There are also opportunities for the audience to participate by standing and singing,” Dr. Jobin-Bevans said.

Guest tenor soloist Albert Greer (singing the role of Nicolas) will be featured in the concert with three singers from the Rafiki Youth Choir and Laurel Oger as conductor. There will be 75 singers, including music students and alumni from the Department of Music.

“This music is exciting, beautiful and uplifting. Concerts with the Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra are an opportunity for our students to work side-by-side with professional musicians who are often their own teachers.

“Britten's fame as a composer is so renowned that our concert joins a long list of other celebratory events that have been taking place over the year throughout the world to mark his birth,” Dr. Jobin-Bevans said.

Lakehead President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Brian Stevenson said opportunities like this are extremely beneficial to the Vocal Ensemble: “Public performances such as these provide our students with invaluable experience while building in them confidence that will help them in everything they do.”

When:          Friday, Nov. 22, 2013   (7:30 pm)

Where:         St. Paul’s Anglican Church,
                                    808 Ridgeway Rd., Thunder Bay

Cost:              $15 for students

                                    $20 regular admission

Tickets are available in advance by calling Lakehead’s Department of Music at 807-343-8787.

For more information about the world-wide Britten concerts, visit http://www.britten100.org/home.

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Media: To arrange an interview, please contact Brandon Walker, Media Relations Officer, at (807) 343-8177.

Lakehead University is a comprehensive university with a reputation for a multidisciplinary teaching approach that emphasizes collaborative learning and independent critical thinking. More than 8,700 students and 1,850 faculty and staff learn and work at campuses located in Orillia, and Thunder Bay, Ontario, which is home to the west campus of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine. Lakehead University promotes innovative research that supports local and regional socio-economic needs. In Orillia, development continues on building a campus that meets Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) standards. For more information about Lakehead University, visit www.lakeheadu.ca.

 November 11, 2013 ­­— Thunder Bay, ON

Lakehead University’s Centre for Education and Research on Aging & Health (CERAH) is hosting a mini-conference, Northwestern Ontario Palliative Care Booster: It takes a Village, Teamwork in Palliative Care, at Thunder Bay’s Airlane Hotel & Conference Centre, November 14–15, 2013.

The mini-conference brings together interdisciplinary palliative care providers to share current information on palliative and end-of-life care, and facilitates networking and team building in communities throughout the region and beyond.

This will be an opportunity for members of the media to interview guest speakers and meet the patient – a life-sized, simulation manikin that provides hands-on learning experiences to students (see below).

The conference includes a special workshop, VIP Conversations for Teams: Working with Patients with Dementia in Palliative/End-of-Life Care, facilitated by Lakehead School of Nursing Lecturer Kristen Jones-Bonofiglio and Social Work/Gerontology Lecturer Kathy Kortes-Miller. This 2.5-hour interactive event will provide the opportunity for experiential learning using high fidelity simulation (HFS) technology.  

HFS uses life-sized manikins (simulated patients) equipped with computer technology that produces lung, heart, and stomach sounds, in addition to voice projection capabilities.

Well documented in academic literature, this hands-on, practical approach to bridging communication theory with practice presents information in a fun, interactive format that is sure to get teams talking (and be a great photo/video opportunity for members of the media).

 The opening talk, Cross Cultural Communication: Learning Through Understanding, will be presented by Ron Kanutski, a registered social worker who will share his experiences in overcoming barriers to successful cross-cultural interaction with people of all ages.

Media can meet the manikin and interview the speakers on Thursday, Nov. 14 from 2:30-3:00 pm in the Barcelona Room at the Airlane Hotel.

2013 Northwestern Ontario Palliative Care Booster
When:  Thursday, Nov. 14 (1–4:30 pm), and Friday, Nov. 15 (8:30 am–12:15 pm)

Where:  Airlane Hotel & Conference Centre, 698 Arthur St. W., Thunder Bay

Ron Kanutski is a registered social worker who brings a lifetime of instruction and training from numerous Ojibway, Oji-Cree and Cree elders, healers, drum keepers, pipe carriers, story-tellers and medicine people. Ron has over 20 years of direct experience in the human services field as a front-line worker, trainer, group facilitator, individual and family counselor, manager and supervisor. With over 20 years of direct service experience working with First Nations people in remote, urban and rural communities, Ron has extensive experience with group facilitation in the areas of mental health, addictions, traditional and cultural teachings, and music. He shares his talents and teachings as a Cultural Teacher, Musician, Group Facilitator, Comedian, Event and Pow Wow MC through is consulting business, With Care Consulting.

Kristen Jones-Bonofiglio is a faculty member at the School of Nursing, Lakehead University. She is a registered nurse with professional experience in acute care, correctional nursing, clinical instructing, simulation technologies, and undergraduate nursing education. Kristen’s areas of interest are ethics, community nursing practice, palliative care, mental health nursing, cultural competency, interprofessional education, and high-fidelity simulation. She is currently a PhD. Candidate in Educational Studies.

Kathy Kortes-Miller has a clinical background in social work and a music therapy.  She is a sessional lecturer at Lakehead University instructing in the social work and gerontology programs primarily for the palliative care certificate.  Kathy is a PhD student in Educational Studies and her research interests include palliative care education, simulation, mentorship and compassion fatigue. She is a research affiliate with the Centre for Education and Research on Aging and Health (CERAH, Lakehead University) and is on the board of directors for Hospice Northwest.

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Media: For more information, please contact Brandon Walker, Media Relations Officer, at (807) 343-8372.

Lakehead University
Lakehead University is a comprehensive university with a reputation for a multidisciplinary teaching approach that emphasizes collaborative learning and independent critical thinking. More than 8,700 students and 1,850 faculty and staff learn and work at campuses located in Orillia, and Thunder Bay, Ontario, which is home to the west campus of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine. Lakehead University promotes innovative research that supports local and regional socio-economic needs. In Orillia, development continues on building a campus that meets Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) standards. For more information about Lakehead University, visit www.lakeheadu.ca.

Friday, Nov. 8, 2013 – Thunder Bay

Lakehead University’s upcoming Science Olympics Northwestern Ontario is a unique opportunity for curious high school students to learn through doing. Exciting events run by university professors and students add a competitive nature to the experience, too.

Local and regional students from grades 9 to 12 will work in groups to solve fun challenges that apply their knowledge of science and engineering in creative ways.

“Science Olympics is an excellent way to engage students in science, engineering and math while introducing them to Lakehead University,” said Dr. Andrew Dean, Dean of the Faculty of Science and Environmental Studies.

Science Olympics Northwestern Ontario is a joint venture with Youth Science Ontario and Lakehead University’s Faculty of Science and Environmental Studies, Faculty of Education, and Faculty of Engineering.

“Science Olympics events are designed to be challenging – each team applying their scientific knowledge and skills to achieve success,” said Dr. John O’Meara, Dean of the Faculty of Education. “In our eyes, success isn’t winning, it’s learning.”

Students from Thunder Bay and the region will work in groups of four in Junior (grades 9 and 10) and Senior (grades 11 and 12) categories, using knowledge they’ve learned in high school to compete in three different events.

The fourth and final event brings Junior and Senior groups together in an exciting engineering design competition.

“I’m looking forward to watching students compete in this final event because it will bring together everything they have learned and they should really enjoy it, too,” said Dr. David Barnett, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering.

Members of the media are invited to attend:

Location:    Bora Laskin Building, Lakehead University

Date:             Friday, Nov. 15, 2013

Time:            9:20 am – 2:30 pm (Awards Ceremony is from 1:35 to 2:30 pm)

EVENTS:

JUNIOR (Grades 9 & 10)

Event #1 – Star Wars (9:20- 10:05 am)

Teams position mirrors to use a low-powered laser to illuminate a hidden target, which is behind a barrier. Teams have 2 minutes to set up their mirrors before the laser is turned on. Teams make 2 attempts, one to the left of barrier, one to the right. The team with the best two attempts gains the highest score.

Event #2 – Organizing Elements (10:10 – 10:55 am)

This chemistry crossword puzzle race will test what you know about the periodic table. Complete as much as possible in 45 minutes. The team with the most correct responses gains the highest score.

Event #3 – Needling (Fruit and Vegetables) (11:15- noon)

We shall provide you with a selection of fruit and vegetables (fresh or dried) in sealed boxes. Each box will have a series of pre-drilled holes through which you will put a knitting needle. Probe using the knitting needle to explore and describe the structure of the fruit or vegetable with the greatest possible detail, and identify of the contents of the box.

SENIOR (GRADES (11 & 12)

Event #1 – Dante’s Peek (9:20 – 10:05 am)

Your research team has been conducting an aerial survey of an active volcano and has crashed into the side of the mountain. You must reconstruct your aircraft from the parts in the crash (which, although completely dismantled, have miraculously not broken). The mountain is expected to erupt in 40 minutes.

Event #2 – Cell Multiplication (10:10 -10:55 am)

We shall provide you with a series of photographs or slides of cells. You will make calculations of growth based on mitotic or meiotic division. This will be done without the aid of any calculating devices.

Event #3 – Chemistry Compound Boggle (11:15- noon)

Teams receive randomly created 4 x 4 arrays of element symbols. They have 10 minutes to locate and write the formulae of as many compounds as they can, supplying brackets and subscripts where appropriate, using any sequence of horizontally, vertically, or diagonally adjacent elements. A chemical name must be given to each compound using the I.U.P.A.C. system for inorganic nomenclature. We use three different arrays, with the highest scoring group gaining the most points for the event.

Source: http://www.physics.uwo.ca/science_olympics/events/grades_11_to_12/compound_boggle.html

Common Event:  Engineering Challenge (12:45 – 1:30 pm)

This culminating challenge sees teams building a device to perform a specific task using only the materials provided in exactly 50 minutes. 

More information is available at http://facscien.lakeheadu.ca/projects/ScienceOlympics/

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Media: To arrange an interview, please contact Brandon Walker, Media Relations Officer, at (807) 343-8177.

Lakehead University is a comprehensive university with a reputation for a multidisciplinary teaching approach that emphasizes collaborative learning and independent critical thinking. More than 8,700 students and 1,850 faculty and staff learn and work at campuses located in Orillia, and Thunder Bay, Ontario, which is home to the west campus of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine. Lakehead University promotes innovative research that supports local and regional socio-economic needs. In Orillia, development continues on building a campus that meets Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) standards. For more information about Lakehead University, visit www.lakeheadu.ca

November 5, 2013 – Thunder Bay, ON

A generous individual has donated a teepee to Lakehead University after learning of the recent damage done to the teepee located on the University’s ceremonial grounds at its Thunder Bay campus, last week. The donor has chosen to remain anonymous.

Dr. Cynthia Wesley-Esquimaux, Vice-Provost, Aboriginal Initiatives, is very thankful this individual stepped forward with their gift.

“This demonstrates how Thunder Bay is a place where people care about what happens in their community,” Dr. Wesley-Esquimaux said. “We will use this teepee at future gatherings, including a community-wide feast which will be held in the spring to foster positive interaction, communication, and unity.”

Lakehead President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Brian Stevenson said he is proud to live in a community where people are committed to positive change. “On behalf of a grateful University community, I offer my deepest thanks to this anonymous donor who clearly understands the cultural value of a teepee, and the importance of having one at Lakehead,” Dr. Stevenson said.

Media are invited to the blessing of the feathers and teepeethat will take place tomorrow, November 6, 2013 (11 am), in the University’s Aboriginal Centre & Lounge (SC 0004). The teepee will be installed at the ceremonial grounds in the spring to honour the need for continued growth of positive relations within the city.

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Media: To arrange an interview, please contact Brandon Walker, Media Relations Officer, at (807) 343-8177.

Lakehead University is a comprehensive university with a reputation for a multidisciplinary teaching approach that emphasizes collaborative learning and independent critical thinking. More than 8,700 students and 1,850 faculty and staff learn and work at campuses located in Orillia, and Thunder Bay, Ontario, which is home to the west campus of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine. Lakehead University promotes innovative research that supports local and regional socio-economic needs. In Orillia, development continues on building a campus that meets Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) standards. For more information about Lakehead University, visit www.lakeheadu.ca.