​​Dr. Tocheri and many of his Indonesian and other international collaborators at Liang Bua (Flores, Indonesia) in July 2025.

Thunder Bay and Orillia, Ont. - Lakehead University is receiving over $750,000 from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) to support eight diverse projects that will advance our understanding of people, cultures, and societies.

Dr. Yuanyuan Wu and Dr. Olakunle Akingbola, professors in the Faculty of Business Administration at Lakehead’s Orillia campus, are working with over 25 rural non-profit organizations in central Ontario to examine how financial and human resource limitations impact operations and non-profits' ability to support people in their communities.

“Improving the well-being of people in underserved and marginalized communities is particularly challenging in rural areas due to geographic location, a shrinking workforce, and the unique needs of each community,” explained Dr. Wu.

Supported by a four-year, $65,689 Insight Grant, the research team will identify and understand current operational issues and explore solutions to improve the sector’s innovative capabilities to address pressing social challenges.

In another project, law professors Monique Woolnough and Larissa Speak are studying the ethics and impacts of the Bora Laskin Faculty of Law’s Indigenous land-based learning curriculum. Lakehead University is the first law school in Canada to mandate this course requirement for all first-year students. The three-day Gaa-maada’ooniding – Anishinaabe for “the place where we share together” – Law Camp introduces students to Indigenous legal orders through ceremonies, art, and sharing circles led by Elders and Indigenous community members.

"Land-based learning spaces include both Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples, so we need to carefully study the ethics of using Indigenous land-based teaching methods in Canadian law schools to see if they truly have decolonial effects,” Speak explained.

The team is receiving a two-year $67,540 Insight Development Grant for the study, the results of which will be valuable for universities, colleges, and schools that are implementing land-based learning as part of their curriculum.

On a global scale, Dr. Matt Tocheri, professor in the Department of Anthropology, is continuing his long-term archaeological fieldwork on the Indonesian island of Flores. Dr. Tocheri and an international team of collaborators are reconstructing the environmental, biological, and cultural contexts surrounding the disappearance of Homo floresiensis (the “hobbits” of human evolution) around 50,000 years ago and an indigenous population of modern humans (~3,000-4,000 years ago) to explain why these early human populations went extinct.

“Understanding what happened to human species and populations in the past helps us, the last humans standing, make more informed decisions as we face threats to our own existence like the recent global pandemic and current climate crisis,” explained Dr. Tocheri, who is receiving a five-year Insight Grant of $360,000.

“We are grateful to SSHRC for supporting these projects that will help us navigate the complex challenges we collectively face as a society,” said Dr. Langis Roy, Vice-President, Research and Innovation.

In 2024/25, Lakehead University received almost $2.8 million in assistance from the Research Support Fund to support the indirect costs of research, including the management of intellectual property, research and administration, ethics and regulatory compliance, research resources, research facilities, and research security.

Connections Grants (one-year grant)

Dr. Charles Z. Levkoe, Department of Health Sciences, “Food Studies Digest: A Podcast to Mobilize Food Studies Knowledge”, $48,040.

Partner(s):
Canadian Association for Food Studies

Collaborators:
Kristen N. Lowitt, Queen's University
Rachel Engler-Stringer, University of Saskatchewan
Laurence Godin, Université Laval
Philip Loring, University of Guelph

Insight Grants (two-five-year grant)

Dr. Matthew W. Tocheri, Department of Anthropology, “Late Pleistocene and Holocene Archaeology of Flores, Indonesia: Human extinction versus survival”, $360,000.

Partner(s):
Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology

Collaborators:
Elena Maria Essel, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology
Elizabeth G. Veatch, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology
Dr. Hanneke Meijer, University of Bergen
Dr. Matthew Skinner, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology
Matthias Meyer, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology
Rene Dommain, Smithsonian Institution
Sam Lin, University of Wollongong
Dr. Thomas Sutikna, National Research and Innovation Agency
Jennifer McKee, Department of Geography and the Environment, Lakehead University

Dr. Yuanyuan Wu, Faculty of Business Administration, “To Do or Not to Do:  Social Innovation of Rural NPOs in Central Ontario under Resource Constraints”, $65,689.

Collaborators:
Dr. Olakunle Akingbola, Faculty of Business Administration, Lakehead University

Insight Development Grants (one-two-year grant)

Dr. Keira Loukes, School of Outdoor Recreation, Parks & Tourism, “Manoomin's stories: An Anishinaabe account of manoomin on Rice Lake, ON”, $74,999.

Dr. Michael Stevenson, Departments of History and Interdisciplinary Studies, “Canada and the Third United Nations Law of the Sea Conference, 1973-1982”, $55,343.

Dr. Monique Woolnough, Bora Laskin Faculty of Law, “Mino-waabandan Inaakonigewinan (Seeing Law in a Good Way): Indigenous land-based pedagogies, Indigenous legal orders and the mandatory Canadian law school curriculum”, $67,540.

Collaborators:
Ms. Larissa Speak, Lakehead University
Mr. Robin Sutherland, Lakehead University
Mrs. Jerri-Lynn Orr, Lakehead University
Dr. Laura Hall, Carleton University

Dr. Doris O'Brien-Teengs, Faculty of Education, “Systematic Analysis of the Indigenous Language Revitalization programs and activities of the Anishinaabemowin Boodawe Committee”, $68,102. *TO BE CONFIRMED*

Collaborators:
Dr. Paul Cormier, Lakehead University
Tyler Armstrong, Lakehead University
Andrew Manitowabi
Mary O'Donnell

Destination Horizon Grants (one-year grant)

Dr. Kathryn Amanda Maranzan, Department of Psychology, “Reducing stigma through strategic disclosure: The Honest, Open, Proud program”, $14,869.

Collaborators:
Carmen Simonsen, University of Oslo
Dr. Nicolas Rusch, Ulm University
Dorottya Ori, Heim Pal National Pediatric Institute
Dr. Luca Pingani, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia

Lakehead University will be closed for the holiday break from Monday, December 22 to Friday, January 2, reopening on Monday, January 5.

As we approach the end of 2025, I want to extend my warmest wishes to our partners, supporters and friends across all the regions we serve. Your collaboration, insight and generosity continue to strengthen Lakehead University and help us expand opportunities for learners and communities.

This past year marked several important milestones. We celebrated Lakehead's 60th anniversary and launched Shaping the EvoLUtion, our new strategic plan shaped by the perspectives of students, faculty, staff and community partners. It charts an ambitious path forward as we continue to grow, innovate and make meaningful contributions across northern and central Ontario.
We advanced major initiatives that reflect Lakehead's momentum. Construction began on the new facilities for the Collaborative Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Program, delivered in partnership with the University of Guelph. This once-in-a-generation initiative was made possible through an extraordinary $10-million gift from Kim and Stu Lang and the generosity of many supporters. With the first cohort now underway, the program represents real progress for rural and northern communities facing a critical shortage of veterinarians.

In Orillia, our shared vision for growth received remarkable support. A $400,000 contribution from the Lakehead University Student Union and a transformative $15-million investment from the County of Simcoe have accelerated our campus expansion plans. In partnership with the Orillia Soldiers' Memorial Hospital, Lakehead Orillia was named the preferred site for the new hospital—an exciting step in meeting the region's future needs.

Our presence in central Ontario continues to grow with the start of construction on the new Lakehead STEM Hub in Barrie. Opening in fall 2026, this state-of-the-art facility will expand access to degree-level STEM education and deepen our connections with local industries.

We also advanced our commitment to truth and reconciliation through the revitalized Gichi Kendaaswin initiative. This renewed, university-wide approach will strengthen Indigenous-led learning and culturally grounded spaces across our campuses. We are grateful for significant support this year, including $1 million from BMO and $100,000 from Canada Life, which will help bring a new Indigenous learning space in Thunder Bay to life.

These achievements represent only a small portion of the work happening across Lakehead every day. What makes this progress possible is the strength of our partnerships and the shared vision we hold for the future of our communities.

If you would like to stay connected with Lakehead throughout the year, I invite you to subscribe to our Campus Connection newsletter, where we share stories, milestones and updates from across the university.

Thank you for being part of the Lakehead story. Once you are part of Lakehead, you are Lakehead for life. I wish you and your loved ones a joyful holiday season and a hopeful year ahead.

Sincerely,

Dr. Gillian Siddall
President and Vice-Chancellor
Lakehead University

In recognition of BMO's generous $1 million gift announced at the Research and Innovation Awards ceremony, Dan Adams, Vice President of Indigenous Banking at BMO Financial Group, was presented with a piece of Indigenous artwork by Denise Baxter, Vice-Provost Indigenous Initiatives at Lakehead University, on behalf of the university.

Thunder Bay, ON – Students at Lakehead University will soon have access to enriched experiences through a new outdoor learning space dedicated to Indigenous education, cultural engagement, and community connection thanks to a $1 million donation from BMO.

This generous support, spread over five years, aligns with Lakehead University’s commitment to Truth and Reconciliation, student success, and forming meaningful partnerships with like-minded organizations. The new outdoor learning space is part of the university’s broader, ongoing, and evolving Gichi Kendaasiwin project. The space will serve as a gathering place for Indigenous learners, fostering connections among students, Elders, and knowledge keepers while supporting key programs like the Indigenous Transition Year Program and the Indigenous Cultural Traditions Club.

BMO’s donation underscores its dedication to supporting education for Indigenous peoples and students, and creating lasting, student-focused impacts.

“BMO is proud to support this Indigenous learning space in partnership with Lakehead University,” said Helen Siebel, Head of Employee and Corporate Giving, BMO. “This five-year commitment will support students by providing a meaningful connection and enriched education to advance Truth and Reconciliation. Investing in the communities we serve is inspired by BMO’s Purpose, to Boldly Grow the Good in business and life.”

“This partnership with BMO is a pivotal moment for Lakehead University as we deepen our commitment to Truth and Reconciliation and embed the concept of Gichi Kendaasiwin - meaning ‘higher knowledge’ in Ojibwe - that is designed to create inclusive, culturally relevant spaces that empower Indigenous learners and foster community connections,” said Dr. Gillian Siddall, President and Vice-Chancellor of Lakehead University. “Lakehead is dedicated to fostering a campus that celebrates Indigenous culture, learning, and leadership. This new Indigenous learning space will be a place for students to connect, learn, and grow, and it will serve as a lasting reminder of our dedication to Truth and Reconciliation. Lakehead is grateful to BMO for helping us lay a solid foundation for a stronger, more inclusive future at Lakehead University.” 

Lakehead University is committed to strengthening Indigenous learning experiences at the university. Approximately 13% of Lakehead’s student population identifies as Indigenous, and these student experiences will be enhanced by the revitalizing and reimagining of the Gichi Kendaaswin project. Through renewed leadership under Dr. Gillian Siddall, deep collaboration with Indigenous leaders and community members, and emerging funding partners like BMO, Lakehead is refining the vision for Gichi Kendaasiwin to ensure it aligns with the contemporary needs and aspirations of the community it aims to serve.

The creation of this new outdoor learning space marks the first step in this journey toward a renewed concept of Gichi Kendaaswin at Lakehead University – laying the groundwork for a sustainable, impactful space that will foster Indigenous-led learning, cultural revitalization, and a welcoming environment for all.

"As the Chair of the Ogimaawin Indigenous Education Council, I am deeply grateful and excited for BMO’s support. This is more than just a donation – it is a meaningful recognition of the importance of creating spaces where Indigenous learners can connect, grow, and carry forward our ways of knowing,” said Precious Anderson, Ogimaawin Indigenous Education Council (OIEC) Chair. “For too long, Indigenous peoples have been historically disadvantaged in educational spaces, and Gichi Kendaasiwin represents a commitment to changing that narrative. It is about honouring our teachings, languages, and communities, and this partnership, rooted in the spirit of reconciliation, helps bring that vision to life in a powerful and lasting way."

BMO’s contribution will be recognized at Lakehead University’s Research and Innovation Awards of Excellence Gala on February 27, 2025, where representatives from BMO and Lakehead will participate in a cheque presentation ceremony.

BMO Gives. Good grows here.

Helping communities thrive by supporting the organizations that sustain them and encouraging employee giving and volunteerism is at the heart of BMO's Purpose, to Boldly Grow the Good in business and life. In 2024, we directed more than $108 million to drive progress for communities, which included $101 million in philanthropic contributions to hundreds of charities and nonprofit organizations across North America. Our colleagues spent over 54,000 hours volunteering in the community and contributed more than $39 million of donations through employee-driven giving in our annual campaigns. For more information, please visit BMO.com.

The gift supports Gichi Kendaasiwin, fostering Indigenous-led learning and spaces that strengthen student success, cultural identity, and community understanding.

Canada Life is supporting Lakehead University’s Gichi Kendaasiwin initiative with a $100,000 gift, helping to create Indigenous-led spaces and programs that support student success, preserve cultural traditions, and share Indigenous perspectives across Lakehead’s campuses.

Originally envisioned more than a decade ago as a large, stand-alone building on Lakehead’s Thunder Bay campus, Gichi Kendaasiwin—Anishinaabemowin for “higher knowledge”—has been reimagined as a campus-wide concept and ethos to foster Indigenous-led learning and culturally grounded spaces. While the initiative includes the construction of a smaller, dedicated Indigenous learning space on the Thunder Bay campus, it also encompasses a constellation of programs and spaces across Lakehead’s campuses, reflecting the university’s long-term commitment to reconciliation and Indigenous student success.

Designed in collaboration with Elders, Councils, and community members, Gichi Kendaasiwin embodies Indigenous traditions, priorities, and ways of knowing. It provides opportunities for mentorship, healing, and growth, while also fostering cultural competencies across education, health care, and public service.

“Canada Life’s investment reflects a shared belief in the importance of creating spaces where Indigenous students can thrive—spaces that honour their identities, languages, and traditions,” said Dr. Gillian Siddall, President and Vice-Chancellor of Lakehead University. “This gift supports an Indigenous vision for education that strengthens relationships, builds community, and prepares students to lead with confidence and cultural pride.” 

Approximately 13 per cent of Lakehead’s student population identifies as Indigenous. Gichi Kendaasiwin will enrich their university experience and advance Truth and Reconciliation by creating meaningful, culturally grounded learning opportunities.

“At Canada Life, we believe education drives understanding and lasting change,” said Fabrice Morin, President and COO, Canada Life. “Supporting Gichi Kendaasiwin reflects our shared commitment with Lakehead University to create inclusive, land-based learning spaces that honour Indigenous knowledge and culture.”

“This gift affirms the importance of creating spaces led by Indigenous voices where students feel a true sense of belonging,” said Precious Anderson, Ogimaawin Indigenous Education Council (OIEC) Chair. “Gichi Kendaasiwin is about more than buildings — it is about relationships, reconciliation, and ensuring that Indigenous students see themselves reflected and respected in every part of the university experience. Canada Life’s support helps us advance that vision and walk together toward a more inclusive future.”

Beyond supporting Indigenous students’ transition to university through mentorship, services, and opportunities for growth, Gichi Kendaasiwin benefits the broader community by fostering cultural competencies in education, health care, and public service. 

Today’s announcement included a tour of Lakehead’s existing Indigenous spaces and programs for Canada Life representatives, followed by a special lunch celebrating the growing partnership. The event was attended by Canada Life leaders Mike Rigato, Vice-President of Advanced Advisor Practices, and Robert Lunny, Vice-President of Canada Operations — both proud Lakehead alumni. Their continued engagement exemplifies the Lakehead for Life spirit, where graduates carry their Lakehead experience forward, supporting the University and its priorities throughout their careers and beyond. Canada Life will also be recognized on Lakehead’s Virtual Wall of Gratitude.

As 2025 draws to a close, it's a great time to review the most-read stories of the last twelve months.

The articles that garnered the most attention shed light on Lakehead's progress as a university during the year that our Shaping the Evolution 2025-30 Strategic Plan was launched.

The Lakehead community was excited to learn about our partnerships with Simcoe County and transformative initiatives like our Collaborative Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Program, as well as the regional and national recognition received by Lakehead faculty, staff, and alumni.

Also on the radar were our outstanding researchers who are having an impact in areas ranging from Indigenous mental health and early cancer detection to environmental sustainability and 6G wireless technology.

Get ready to count down!

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.

Check out the latest version of our Bulletin, by clicking here.

We are pleased to share the results of this year’s Giving Tuesday campaign. Thanks to the generosity and support of our alumni, faculty, staff, students, and friends, Lakehead University raised $167,877 in support of student awards.

Giving Tuesday has become an important annual tradition at Lakehead- one that directly impacts our students by helping reduce financial barriers and expanding access to scholarships, bursaries, and awards. Since launching our first Giving Tuesday initiative in 2016, our community has contributed over $1.71 million toward student awards. This sustained support has strengthened our ability to help students succeed academically and personally.

These results also reflect our longstanding reputation for putting students first: for two years in a row, the Maclean’s University Rankings recognized Lakehead as the top undergraduate university in Ontario for student awards- a distinction made possible through the kindness and commitment of supporters like you.

Thank you to everyone who contributed, shared messages, or helped champion this year’s campaign. Your dedication helps ensure that Lakehead students can focus on their studies, pursue their goals, and fully realize their potential.

His Teaching Lights a Fire in Engineering Students

Watching a structure you've designed suddenly burst into flames isn't a typical university experience.

But if you're a student in a course taught by Civil Engineering Professor Dr. Sam Salem, that's exactly how a class might unfold.

Dr. Salem managed Lakehead's Master of Civil Engineering program and led the development of its PhD in Civil Engineering program. He's also supervised over 150 undergraduate students' degree design projects and mentored over 40 personnel. Above, Dr. Salem (centre) with some of his doctoral students.

"Teaching with purpose—inspiring minds and shaping futures—is my foundational principle," says Dr. Salem, who runs Lakehead's Structural Fire Testing & Research Laboratory (LUFTRL).

His intensive and accessible approach to learning sets him apart as an educator.

It has also earned him the 2025 Distinguished Instructor Award—Lakehead University's most prestigious teaching honour—and the appreciation of countless students.

He develops courses that bridge the gap between theoretical engineering concepts and practical industry experience, turning students into successful professional engineers.

"I'm also a learner as well as a teacher—I learn from my students' questions and comments," Dr. Salem says. Above, he receives his Distinguished Instructor Award from Lakehead Provost and Vice-President (Academic) Dr. Gillian Balfour.

A Natural Teacher

Dr. Salem is an internationally recognized expert in structural fire engineering—an area he chose to specialize in because fire represents the gravest safety threat to any building and its occupants.

His love of teaching, however, was sparked as an undergraduate student at Egypt's Zagazig University, where he was a top-ranked scholar.

"Many of my classmates and friends would come to me for help with assignments and tricky problems."

It was there that he began to learn how to simplify complex concepts into easily understood information, which would become the bedrock of his teaching practice.

"Students get bored if everything is numbers and textbooks," he explains.

"In my classes, I like to include photos, drawings, and examples of engineering structures that failed. I make connections between what happens on paper and what happens in real life."

This strategy breaks the rigidity of the lecture format and encourages everyone, even those who may feel intimidated, to participate.

Dr. Salem adjusts the time spent on particular topics based on his students' needs. "Sometimes students learn quickly, other times they have more questions and need additional clarifications." Above, two members of his research team set up a mass-timber building assembly for fire testing.

Fostering student engagement is central to Dr. Salem's teaching.

"I always tell my students to raise their hands whenever they have a question, even if it seems simple. It helps other students, and it also improves my teaching."

His dedication to teaching has only deepened over time, despite the fact that he has to juggle his teaching commitments with an ambitious research program and heavy administrative duties.

"But even if my day has been tough and I'm feeling exhausted, once I'm in the classroom and see the excitement in students' eyes, my tiredness disappears," he says.

A Role Model for Aspiring Engineers

Dr. Salem holds patents in Canada and the United States for a fire-resistant beam-end connecting mechanism designed for mass-timber buildings. Above, he checks the gap between a beam and a column in a mass-timber assembly before it undergoes a fire-exposure test.

Thousands of people will live in apartment buildings, wander through shopping malls, and drive over bridges designed by civil engineers, so these structures have to be built to the highest standards.

"I continually remind students that as professional engineers, they will be responsible for other people's lives, and that they must act ethically and with the utmost integrity," Dr. Salem says.

"It could be your mother, your son, or your friend who uses a structure you designed."

Fortunately, his students have the opportunity to engage in experiential learning at the Structural Fire Testing & Research Laboratory. Through Dr. Salem's guidance and mentorship, they learn how to meet building code requirements and design standards for resilient, fire-safe structures.

Straight from the Heart

"Even though it's wonderful when my students get good grades, what makes me most proud of them is when they try hard and ask questions," Dr. Salem says. "It shows me that they want to learn."

He often gets messages from former students, including many who graduated years ago, saying: "This issue you discussed in your course just came up at work, and I was able to apply what you taught us."

"For me, teaching is a work of the heart," he adds. "You have to love what you teach in order to inspire students."

Congratulations, Dr. Salem, on being named Lakehead's 2025 Distinguished Instructor!

Almost $3 million in research funding from provincial and national funding agencies has been awarded to Dr. Salem. He has also has authored/co-authored over 80 peer-reviewed, refereed publications in highly-ranked international journals and top-tier conference proceedings.

Every year, Lakehead honours outstanding professors, instructors, and education staff whose commitment to teaching and innovation ensures that our students excel.

Here are the 2025 Teaching Award Winners

Distinguished Instructor Award:
Dr. Sam Salem, Civil Engineering

Contribution to Teaching Awards:
Dr. Kathryn Walton, English
Mr. Brian Weishar, Education
Dr. Davut Akca, Interdisciplinary
Prof. Tenille Brown, Law
Ms. Kaitlin Adduono, Nursing
Dr. Ahmed Elshaer, Civil Engineering

Teaching Innovation Awards:
Prof. Larissa Speak, Law
Dr. Taryn Klarner, Kinesiology and Mrs. Kristen McConnell, Nursing
Mr. Mohit Dudeja, Education

Teaching Support Award:
Mr. Adam Humeniuk, Teaching Commons

OVERVIEW:

• Dr. Rob Stewart leads the Freshwater Coastal Management Research Group and coordinates Remedial Action Plans (RAPs) along the Canadian north shore of Lake Superior
• Harbours along Lake Superior were heavily polluted as a result of mining and forestry operations and industrial development
• The work of RAPs, combined with government regulation, has made Lake Superior harbours safe for swimming and a source of drinking water
• Dr. Stewart, in collaboration with RAPs, is investigating emerging global threats to the health of Lake Superior
• Lakehead researchers are also working with Indigenous communities with the goal of restoring Lake Nipigon's ecosystem

Communities are Coming Together to Clean Up Our Freshwater Lakes

"The best way to experience the magnificence of Lake Superior is to paddle to the last chain of islands before you hit open water," Dr. Rob Stewart says.

He's an associate professor of geography & the environment who feels most at home on the lake.

"It's amazing to be 10 km offshore in a kayak and have an otter pop up and hiss at you."

His career has been devoted to working with local communities to protect the watersheds and coastal environments of the Lake Superior Basin.

"Lake Superior is the headwater of all the Great Lakes, and its health determines the future of all the Great Lakes," he explains.

Dr. Stewart leads Lakehead's Freshwater Coastal Management Research Group and coordinates Remedial Action Plans (RAPs) along the Canadian north shore of Lake Superior.

"We identify environmental problems, monitor them, and then work on lake restoration," he says.

Through the determination of communities and researchers, there's been great success in removing pollutants from Lake Superior.

"When I was growing up, places like Thunder Bay, Nipigon, and Red Rock had working harbours. There was foam, oil, and tree bark floating on the water because industries like pulp mills and mines would discharge effluents directly into the lake.

Today, you can swim in these harbours and use them for drinking water because of intense government regulation and the clean-up efforts of RAP groups."

Now, Lake Superior RAPs are equally concerned with emerging threats to the lake that don't have simple solutions and that require cooperation between countries.

"We're investigating how to deal with invasive species, airborne mercury travelling from China and India, and climate change—Lake Superior is the fastest warming Great Lake."

Uncovering the Story of Lake Nipigon

Dr. Stewart's research extends beyond Lake Superior.

He's excited to be working with Indigenous communities in the Lake Nipigon area to trace the history of this freshwater lake and how it's changed over the past 200 years.

"Lake Nipigon was intensely developed in the 1940s. Large forestry and mining operations were set up near the lake's shoreline.

The provincial government also built a hydroelectric dam that diverted massive amounts of water from the Arctic watershed into Lake Nipigon. This changed the lake's ecosystem dramatically."

The high levels of silt and nutrients in the Arctic Watershed were too much for a freshwater body like Lake Nipigon to absorb.

"The silt covered up fish spawning grounds, and the overabundance of nutrients created toxic algae blooms. The dam also caused erosion and raised the level of the lake, which released more sediment and nutrients."

Until recently, Indigenous people were forced to stand by and see their lake degraded because they had no say over how it was developed.

"Now, First Nations want the full story of the lake's changes backed up with scientific data," Dr. Stewart says. "Our 'Lake Nipigon Cumulative Impacts Partnership' will help provide this information."

His research team is doing this by tracking the movement of fish in the lake and by taking sediment samples from the lake floor.

"We'll analyze the sediment to determine the nutrients, plants, aquatic life, and toxins present in Lake Nipigon at different time periods."

After all the evidence is gathered, communities will pinpoint areas of Lake Nipigon where the environment has been adversely affected by development and by pollution, such as arsenic contamination from mills. Then, they'll advocate to have them restored.

"They want to build healthy communities with clean water and land for their youth," Dr. Stewart says.

Save Our Remarkable Lakes

He encourages local citizens to get involved in sustaining our region's waterways by joining an environmental community group or by becoming a member of one of the north shore's Remedial Action Plan groups.

"The number-one thing, though, is to connect with our lakes in your own way. Go for a canoe ride with a friend, take your kids fishing, or walk along one of the beaches."

Dr. Stewart's Lake Nipigon Cumulative Impacts Partnership research is funded by an NSERC Alliance Grant, the Indigenous Guardians Network, the First Nations Environmental Contaminants Program (Health Canada), and by Biinjitiwaabik Zaaging Anishinaabek. He has received funding for his Lake Superior research initiatives from the Great Lakes Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative, which is part of the Government of Canada's Freshwater Action Plan.

Photo Credit: Unsplash/Nick Fewings

A sombre time of the year is approaching for Lakehead University, and for all Canadians.

December 6 marks the anniversary of the murders of 14 young women at Montreal's École Polytechnique in 1989.

Targeted in an act of misogynistic violence, the women ranged in age from 20 to 31.

Among the dead were nursing student Barbara Klucznik-Widajewicz and Maryse Laganière, a polytechnique finance employee. The other 12 victims were engineering students.

This mass femicide, which became known as the "Montreal Massacre," led Canada to declare December 6 the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. It's also known as White Ribbon Day.

The families and friends of the women still mourn their loved ones. We join together with them in solidarity, pledging to never forget the victims of this tragedy.

Every December 6, We Remember:

• Geneviève Bergeron, Mechanical Engineering Student, aged 21
• Hélène Colgan, Mechanical Engineering Student, aged 23
• Nathalie Croteau, Mechanical Engineering Student, aged 23
• Barbara Daigneault, Mechanical Engineering Student, aged 22
• Anne-Marie Edward, Chemical Engineering Student, aged 21
• Maud Haviernick, Metallurgical Engineering Student, aged 29
• Maryse Laganière, École Polytechnique Finance Employee, aged 25
• Maryse Leclair, Metallurgical Engineering Student, aged 23
• Anne-Marie Lemay, Mechanical Engineering Student, aged 22
• Sonia Pelletier, Mechanical Engineering Student, aged 28
• Michèle Richard, Metallurgical Engineering Student, aged 21
• Annie St-Arneault, Mechanical Engineering Student, aged 23
• Annie Turcotte, Metallurgical Engineering Student, aged 20
• Barbara Klucznik-Widajewicz, Université de Montréal Nursing Student, aged 31

Engineering Students and Activists Grapple with a Devastating Legacy

"Things have changed for women in engineering," says Sana Sharif, a Lakehead electrical and computer engineering PhD student. "There's more acceptance, even since I began my studies.

But in 2025, we are still fighting because there is still violence. White Ribbon Day is a powerful reminder of the brilliant female engineering students whose lives were stolen. I'm standing on their shoulders."

What happened in 1989 led to debates and soul searching by a country in shock.

"It's ironic that it took this horrific mass casualty to spur Canadians to take serious steps to attempt to stop gender-based violence (GBV)," says Lakehead Health Sciences professor Dr. Helle Møller.

"Although policies and legislation to protect women existed in 1989, research evaluating their effectiveness largely hadn't been done. This was, and continues to be, reflected in the underreporting of gender-based violence."

The commemorative plaque on the southwest wall of École Polytechnique's Main Building (now renamed Polytechnique Montréal), which bears the school's coat of arms and the names of the 14 victims. Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons/Bobanny

In partnership with the Thunder Bay District Health Unit and Southeast Public Health, Dr. Møller and her fellow Lakehead researchers Oriana Rodriguez and Nana Nyarkoa-Oduro have spent the last year developing a framework to prevent gender-based violence.

The newly launched framework provides a foundation for public health units to address the root causes of gender-based violence, and take evidence-based action across different sectors.

"We've come a long way as a society when it comes to gender-based violence, but often we still don't act until it's too late," Dr. Møller says.

"This is evident from the refusal of the federal government, and most provincial governments, to declare GBV an epidemic, despite rising GBV stats in Canada. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has described violence directed at women and girls as 'the world's longest, deadliest pandemic.'"

At Lakehead, many other researchers are involved in crucial work to build a society that is safe for women and girls—including Gender and Women's Studies Professor Dr. Lori Chambers and Social Work Professors Dr. Angela Hovey, Dr. Susan Scott, and Dr. Jodie Murphy.

They are making important strides in understanding and overcoming gender-based violence, as are student researchers like Erika Puiras and Casey Oliver.

A New Generation Committed to Change

"When do revolutions start?" asks Parvinder Kaur. "Where does the spark come from, and how do we keep it alive to keep making our world a better place?"

As the coordinator of the Lakehead University Student Union Gender Equity Centre, ending gender-based violence is one of her goals.

"I am an international student and, according to my parents, I have always questioned inequality. Gender became a focus when I started volunteering as a crisis responder with Shamsaha."

Shamsaha is a non-profit in Bahrain that helps women facing domestic and sexual abuse.

I very quickly learnt that voice is a privilege, and what good would it be if I didn't use mine.

Parvinder now works to make Lakehead's campus a safer space for all students through initiatives like the recent Survivors Solidarity event hosted by Pride and Gender Equity Centre.

"I tried to connect students with the office of Human Rights and Equity on campus along with counselors for sexual and intimate partner violence from Thunder Bay Counselling," Parvinder says.

"Education is key, and so is remembering our history," she adds.

As the anniversary of the Montreal Massacre draws near, Lakehead University would like to pause and reflect on the lives of these young women, and to renew its commitment to ending gender-based violence.

"If we don't remind people of what happened on December 6, 1989, it will be forgotten," Dr. Møller says. "It's now more important than ever to continue fighting."

"There is no place for violence in our classrooms, our institutions, or our society," adds Sana Sharif. "We need women's ideas and their leadership."

Commemorate White Ribbon Day by:

• Observing a moment of silence at 11:00 am on December 6
• Wearing a white ribbon
• Donating to a local women's organization or to the White Ribbon campaign, the world's largest movement of men and boys working to end gender-based violence
• Participating in the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence between November 25 to December 10
• Using the social media hashtags #Rememberthe14 and #16Days and following the LUSU Gender Equity Centre Instagram account @gec_lusu

Click here to learn more about the vibrant young women who died on December 6, 1989.