Lakehead Orillia faculty participating in UNESCO DCMET Symposium

Four Lakehead Orillia Education faculty members are chairing panels at the UNESCO International Symposium on Democracy, Global Citizenship and Transformative Education (DCMÉT), October 25 to 27.

Dr. Gary Pluim, Dr. Ellen Field, Dr. Sharla Mskokii Peltier, and Dr. Michael Hoechsmann will be guiding discussions on global citizenship, climate communication, indigenous knowledge and indigenous data governance.

The symposium sessions will be free of charge. Register at www.dcmetsymposium.com.

UNESCO DCMET Symposium featuring Lakehead faculty members

Research and Innovation Bulletin

The Research and Innovation Bulletin is distributed weekly every Tuesday by the Office of Research Services and includes information on research funding opportunities, events and workshops and updates from our funding partners.

Checkout the latest version of our Bulletin, by clicking here.

New Bora Laskin Faculty of Law mural honours residential school survivors and the children who did not return home

Mural unveiling photo

From left to right, Bora Laskin Faculty of Law Dean Jula Hughes; Francine McKenzie, Robin Sutherland, Director of Indigenous Relations; and Corinna McKay and Jada Ferris from Neechee Studio unveiled Where the Heart Gathers on Thursday, Sept. 28, a woodland-style mural depicting Mount McKay.

September 28, 2023 – Thunder Bay, Ont.   

Lakehead University’s Bora Laskin Faculty of Law unveiled a mural designed by Neechee Studio that serves to honour the children who did not return home, residential school survivors, and to illustrate the ongoing journey of healing and reconciliation.  

The mural, titled Where the Heart Gathers, was unveiled on Thursday, Sept. 28. 

The event was an opportunity to celebrate the mural and introduce some of the artists, as well as student and administration representatives from the Bora Laskin Faculty of Law.

Neechee Studio is a free art and culture program for Indigenous youth ages 14-29 in Thunder Bay, organized by a team of young, aspiring, and professional Indigenous artists. The Faculty of Law is grateful and honoured by their support and efforts on this project. 

“The importance of this piece cannot be overstated,” said Jula Hughes, Dean of the Bora Laskin Faculty of Law. 

“It will serve as a touching reminder of the injustices of the past, but also the ways in which we, as a law school and also as individuals, can intentionally move forward in reconcili-action, mutual respect, and understanding. 

“We are grateful to the artists from Neechee Studio for their beautiful vision, and also to the Department of Canadian Heritage for their support of this meaningful project,” Hughes said. 

“It's important to remember what happened to us, as Indigenous people, to our families and communities; and to remember the generations of children that were impacted,” said Francine McKenzie, a second-year (2L) Law student and current President of the Indigenous Law Students Association. 

“This mural will provide comfort to current and future Indigenous students who seek a space to reflect on their journey as an Indigenous person in Canada, and as they navigate their way through the journey of law that is not their own. It will serve as a reminder that it is our responsibility to ensure that this never happens again.” 

Immediately following the mural unveiling, the Bora Laskin Faculty of Law hosted the annual Every Child Matters March in Waverley Park. 

The event recognized and commemorated the legacy of residential schools, providing students, faculty, staff, and other community partners an opportunity to honour and stand in solidarity with residential school survivors. 

The event included speakers (Elders, students, staff, faculty), some of whom bravely shared their lived and intergenerational experiences with residential schools. Afterward, all attendees completed a silent march around the block surrounding the Faculty of Law. 

The Bora Laskin Faculty of Law received a grant from the Department of Canadian Heritage to fund projects and events in recognition of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. The funding supported all of the day’s events, as well as the mural and a traditional feast. 

 Photo of Irene Linklater

 Residential school survivor Irene Linklater spoke briefly before the Every Child Matters March on Thursday, Sept. 28. 

 

 

 

 

 

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Media: For more information or interviews, please contact Brandon Walker, Media, Communications and Marketing Associate, at (807) 343-8110 ext. 8372 or mediarelations@lakeheadu.ca.

 

Lakehead University is a fully comprehensive university with approximately 9,700 full-time equivalent students and over 2,000 faculty and staff at two campuses in Orillia and Thunder Bay, Ontario. Lakehead has nine faculties, including Business Administration, Education, Engineering, Graduate Studies, Health & Behavioural Sciences, Law, Natural Resources Management, Science & Environmental Studies, and Social Sciences & Humanities. Lakehead University’s achievements have been recognized nationally and internationally, including being ranked in the top half of Times Higher Education's 2023 World Universities Rankings for the fourth consecutive year, and the number one university in the world with fewer than 9,000 students in THE’s 2023 Impact Rankings (which assesses institutions against the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals). Visit www.lakeheadu.ca.

David Johnston headlining a fireside chat at the Lakehead University Alumni Association's Annual General Meeting on Oct. 2

Photo of David Johnston

September 25, 2023 – Thunder Bay, Ont.   

The Right Honourable David Johnston will headline a fireside chat at the Lakehead University Alumni Association’s annual general meeting on Monday, Oct. 2 at 6 pm in the Agora. 

Canada’s 28th Governor General will discuss his most personal and timely book to date – Empathy, written with author Brian Hanington with a foreword by the Honourable Rosalie Abella. 

Released in January, the book describes the challenges currently faced by countries around the world. 

As the world stumbles through the most severe pandemic of the last century, threatened by teetering economies, torn by political division, separated by unequal access to resources, and wrestling with issues as diverse as racism, gender, cybercrime, and climate change, the nations that best adapt and prosper are those in which empathy is fully alive and widely active. 

Written for a post-pandemic world, Empathy is a book about learning to be empathetic and then turning that empathy into action. Based on Johnston’s personal experiences, the book explores how awakening to the transformative power of listening and caring permanently changes individuals, families, communities, and nations. 

Johnston is chair of the Rideau Hall Foundation, and advisor at Deloitte and at Fairfax Financial Holdings. 

A graduate of Harvard, Cambridge, and Queen's universities, he was president of the University of Waterloo, principal of McGill University, and dean of Law at Western University. 

Johnston is the author or co-author of more than 30 books. He holds honorary doctorates from 36 universities. 

A Companion of the Order of Canada, he was born in Sudbury, Ont., raised in Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., and now lives with his wife, Sharon Johnston, near Ottawa. 

“It is not every day that a Canadian of the Rt. Hon. David Johnston's stature visits Thunder Bay,” said Mark Tilbury, Executive Director, Alumni Association. 

“The Alumni Association of Lakehead University is thrilled that Mr. Johnston has agreed to be the special guest at our Annual General Meeting this year, and we can't wait to welcome him to campus.” 

Alumni Association President Yolanda Wanakamik will moderate the fireside chat with the former Governor General on the topics, stories, and themes in his latest book, Empathy

“In our world today, we could all use a little more empathy,” Tilbury added. 

To register, visit this page

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Media: For more information or interviews, please contact Brandon Walker, Media, Communications and Marketing Associate, at (807) 343-8110 ext. 8372 or mediarelations@lakeheadu.ca.

 

Lakehead University is a fully comprehensive university with approximately 9,700 full-time equivalent students and over 2,000 faculty and staff at two campuses in Orillia and Thunder Bay, Ontario. Lakehead has nine faculties, including Business Administration, Education, Engineering, Graduate Studies, Health & Behavioural Sciences, Law, Natural Resources Management, Science & Environmental Studies, and Social Sciences & Humanities. Lakehead University’s achievements have been recognized nationally and internationally, including being ranked in the top half of Times Higher Education's 2023 World Universities Rankings for the fourth consecutive year, and the number one university in the world with fewer than 9,000 students in THE’s 2023 Impact Rankings (which assesses institutions against the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals). Visit www.lakeheadu.ca.

Lakehead University graduate student wins prestigious $150,000 Vanier Scholarship

September 20, 2023 – Thunder Bay, Ont.   

Lakehead Civil Engineering PhD student Tristen Brown has been awarded the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship, one of the most prestigious national awards for doctoral students. 

Brown will receive $50,000 per year for three years to support his doctoral studies. 

As a PhD student and graduate research assistant in Lakehead’s Department of Civil Engineering, Brown is currently undertaking research tackling innovative solutions to overcome the ongoing housing challenges for Indigenous communities throughout Canada subjected to extreme climate conditions. 

“Winning this prestigious award would not have been possible without the unwavering support and dedication from my PhD supervisors in the Faculty of Engineering, and all my colleagues in the Structural and Wind Engineering Research Laboratory at Lakehead,” Brown said. 

“I am extremely grateful they see all this potential in me that I did not recognize in myself.

“I’m truly humbled and excited for all the new opportunities this scholarship will bring. I am more than thrilled to compile research related to my own Indigenous culture. I know the research and novel solutions will make an immediate impact on the current challenges that Indigenous communities face.” 

Brown began his studies at Lethbridge College in Alberta before joining Lakehead University via its unique college transfer program for engineering students. 

He went on to achieve a Bachelor of Civil Engineering and a Master’s degree in Civil Engineering before beginning his doctoral studies. 

Dr. Ahmed Elshaer, Brown’s PhD supervisor, praised his exceptional contribution to the work of the Structural and Wind Engineering Research Laboratory at Lakehead. 

“Tristen is a role model in his professionalism and commitment to research excellence. We have all enjoyed seeing his progress and continue to be inspired by the positive impact of his work,” Dr. Elshaer said. 

“We are incredibly proud of Tristen’s achievement in winning this highly-competitive and coveted national scholarship,” said Dr. Janusz Kozinski, Dean of Engineering at Lakehead University. 

“This award is thoroughly deserved, and reflects the exceptional quality of his research, his true passion for engineering, and the importance of the innovative work he is undertaking to develop new housing solutions for Indigenous communities in Northwestern Ontario and across Canada,” Dr. Kozinski added. 

Across Canada, 166 doctoral students will receive a total of $24.9 million in support through the Vanier Graduate Scholarship that is jointly funded by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Media: For more information or interviews, please contact Brandon Walker, Media, Communications and Marketing Associate, at (807) 343-8110 ext. 8372 or mediarelations@lakeheadu.ca.

 

Lakehead University is a fully comprehensive university with approximately 9,700 full-time equivalent students and over 2,000 faculty and staff at two campuses in Orillia and Thunder Bay, Ontario. Lakehead has nine faculties, including Business Administration, Education, Engineering, Graduate Studies, Health & Behavioural Sciences, Law, Natural Resources Management, Science & Environmental Studies, and Social Sciences & Humanities. Lakehead University’s achievements have been recognized nationally and internationally, including being ranked in the top half of Times Higher Education's 2023 World Universities Rankings for the fourth consecutive year, and the number one university in the world with fewer than 9,000 students in THE’s 2023 Impact Rankings (which assesses institutions against the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals). Visit www.lakeheadu.ca.

New book explores Canada’s Medical Assistance in Dying policies

book

September 18, 2023 – Thunder Bay and Ottawa, Ont.   

A newly released academic book edited by a university professor and a health lawyer is making an important contribution to Canadian public policy on Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) while examining opportunities for advocacy for health equity.  

Edited by Dr. Jaro Kotalik, Chair of the Executive Committee of the Lakehead University Centre for Health Care Ethics and a Professor at NOSM University, and David Shannon, a lawyer and disability advocate, the book Medical Assistance in Dying in Canada: Key multidisciplinary perspectives is being published by Springer in the International Library of Bioethics. 

“With over 30 multidisciplinary chapter authors, including Canadian legal authorities, scholars, and clinicians with affiliations to over a dozen universities, this book offers the first comprehensive overview of MAiD,” Dr. Kotalik said. 

“It delves into complexities and problems, and also provides various recommendations on how the MAiD program could be improved while suggesting relevant research topics that could be explored.” 

A national launch of the book is scheduled to take place in Ottawa on Tuesday, Sept.  19 at 7 pm at Cardus, located at 45 Rideau St., which will also be livestreamed.

A Thunder Bay book launch will follow in October.

The book is available online, at the Lakehead University Bookstore, and in the Lakehead University and NOSM University libraries. 

“The publication of this kind of scholarship demonstrates the leadership that Lakehead University and NOSM University are known for. This is a wonderful accomplishment, occurring on the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the Centre for Health Care Ethics,” Dr. Kotalik said. 

You can learn more about the book and secure your digital or paper copy through the Springer website.  

You can register for the in-person or the on-line event here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Media: For more information or interviews, please contact Brandon Walker, Media, Communications and Marketing Associate, at (807) 343-8110 ext. 8372 or mediarelations@lakeheadu.ca.

 

Lakehead University is a fully comprehensive university with approximately 9,700 full-time equivalent students and over 2,000 faculty and staff at two campuses in Orillia and Thunder Bay, Ontario. Lakehead has nine faculties, including Business Administration, Education, Engineering, Graduate Studies, Health & Behavioural Sciences, Law, Natural Resources Management, Science & Environmental Studies, and Social Sciences & Humanities. Lakehead University’s achievements have been recognized nationally and internationally, including being ranked in the top half of Times Higher Education's 2023 World Universities Rankings for the fourth consecutive year, and the number one university in the world with fewer than 9,000 students in THE’s 2023 Impact Rankings (which assesses institutions against the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals). Visit www.lakeheadu.ca.

 

NOSM University is Canada’s first independent medical university and one of the greatest education and physician workforce strategy success stories of Northern Ontario. More than just a medical university, it was purpose-built to address the health needs of the region. Through its distributed model, the university works alongside many underserved communities across the North, and contributes to the economic development of Northern Ontario. NOSM University relies on the commitment and expertise of the people of Northern Ontario to educate health-care professionals to practise in Indigenous, Francophone, rural, remote and other underserved communities. With a focus on equity, diversity and inclusion, NOSM University is an award-winning, socially-accountable organization renowned for its innovative model of community-engaged education and research. NOSM University produces resourceful, resilient health-care professionals who serve with kindness and protect the dignity of all. They are guided by conscience, humanitarian values, and the principles of good citizenship.

Social Work Prof Wins Education Award

Dr. David Tranter, Associate Professor in the School of Social Work was named the 2023 recipient of the Ontario Principal's Council Outstanding Contribution to Education Award.

In receiving this award, he joins past recipients including The Honourable Murray Sinclair, The Honourable James Bartleman, The Honourable Roy McMurtry, and astronaut Chris Hadfield. The annual award is presented to the "individual or organization who has made an outstanding contribution to education in Ontario through their positive impact on Ontario students or programs for students".

In selecting Dr. Tranter for the award the Ontario Principal's Council commented:

“You have made an outstanding contribution to education in Ontario through your positive impact on students and administrators. Specifically, your work supporting the implementation and underlying principles of the Third Path has contributed to relationship-based education, child and youth well-being, child and youth mental health, student success, social/emotional/academic success and the general promotion of well-being in education. The Third Path in Education is responsive to issues being faced by today’s Canadian educators related to addressing mental and emotional health, cultural and gender identity, racism and violence prevention, as well as other areas of diversity, equity and well-being.”

The award also includes an $1,000 donation to the charity of Dr. Tranter's choice. He has chosen Roots to Harvest to receive the donation.

The award ceremony will take place at the Ontario Principal's Council Annual Awards Dinner on October 20 at Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Lake Superior Living Labs Network Newsletter (October 2023)

Check out the latest Lake Superior Living Labs Network (LSLLN) newsletter for updates on our recent activity and upcoming events.

The LSLLN serves as a platform to connect academics and community groups to develop new partnerships and collaborative initiatives across the Lake Superior watershed. For more information visit www.livinglabsnetwork.org.

Research and Innovation Bulletin

The Research and Innovation Bulletin is distributed weekly every Tuesday by the Office of Research Services and includes information on research funding opportunities, events and workshops and updates from our funding partners.

Checkout the latest version of our Bulletin, by clicking here.

Teaching and Learning Week 2023 - GENERATIVE AI: Responsible Uses of AI for Teaching and Learning

We are thrilled to announce that this year's Teaching and Learning Week will be centered around the theme of "Generative AI: Responsible Uses of AI for Teaching and Learning." In a rapidly evolving educational landscape, exploring the responsible and innovative applications of AI is essential for educators and learners alike.

Our event promises an exciting lineup of insightful sessions, engaging discussions, and practical insights into harnessing AI's potential in education. Whether you're an educator, administrator, student, or simply curious about the intersection of AI and learning, there will be something for everyone.

The full schedule and session descriptions can also be found below or on our website at www.lakeheadu.ca/teaching-commons/events-and-activities/annual-and-speci.... Don't miss out on this unique opportunity to expand your knowledge and network with like-minded individuals passionate about the future of education.

Registration is now open here: https://libcal.lakeheadu.ca/event/3756179.

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