Lakehead University and the Kenora Catholic District School Board signed a Memorandum of Understanding on November 21, officially launching the Achievement Program for Grade 4 students at St. John Paul II School in Kenora.

The virtual signing connected students, families, educators, Elders, and Lakehead representatives in Thunder Bay and Kenora to celebrate the expansion of the program. Ten Grade 4 students are joining the program this year, becoming the first group from Kenora Catholic District School Board to participate.

The Achievement Program is Lakehead University’s early-access initiative that helps expand opportunities and pathways to postsecondary education for equity-deserving students. Beginning in Grade 4, students participate in annual activities focused on recreation, academics, community involvement, and personal development. By the time they graduate high school, participants will have earned financial support that can be applied toward their first year of tuition and ancillary fees at Lakehead University—or other education-related expenses.

“The Achievement Program reflects Lakehead University’s deep commitment to access and opportunity for young people across Northwestern Ontario,” said Dr. Gillian Siddall, President and Vice-Chancellor of Lakehead University. “We are thrilled to welcome Kenora Catholic District School Board as a new partner, and to support these students as they begin their journey toward future postsecondary success.”

Kenora Catholic District School Board is the sixth school board to partner with Lakehead through the program, joining Lakehead Public Schools, Thunder Bay Catholic D.S.B., Superior Greenstone D.S.B., Superior North Catholic D.S.B., and Keewatin-Patricia D.S.B.

The celebration included opening remarks, Elder opening and closing, wishes from Dr. Gillian Siddall and Jamey Robertson, an Achievement Program alumni message, and messages of encouragement from both communities for the students.

Launched in 2011, the Achievement Program partners with local and regional school boards to provide pathways to postsecondary education for students who may experience socioeconomic barriers. Students and their families also receive year-round programming and support, beginning with sports and recreation activities that help introduce young learners to campus life in a fun and welcoming way. By passing their grade and participating in programming at their school, community, and with Lakehead, students earn financial support to attend Lakehead.

The program currently supports approximately 500 students across six school boards and 45 schools. Seventy percent of participants self-identify as Indigenous. In May 2025, the program celebrated its first two Lakehead University graduates in the fields of Business and Nursing, with another 4 students who are currently attending Lakehead

Lakehead University is grateful to the many donors throughout the region who believe that the dream of post-secondary education should be open to all.

To learn more about the Achievement Program, visit: https://www.lakeheadu.ca/about/presidents-office/achievement-program

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QUOTES 

Jamey Robertson, Director of Education, Kenora Catholic District School Board
“This partnership is an important opportunity for our students and families,” said Jamey Robertson, Director of Education at the Kenora Catholic District School Board. “The Achievement Program strengthens the connection between KCDSB and Lakehead University and supports students as they work toward the goals they hold for their future. We value this collaboration and look forward to the opportunities it will create in the years ahead.” 

Tammy Bush, Principal of St. John Paul II School
“For our students and their families, today represents a future filled with new opportunities,” said Tammy Bush, Principal of St. John Paul II School. “The Achievement Program gives students a clear path toward post-secondary education and invites them to dream even bigger about what comes next. This is such an exciting moment for our school community, and I couldn’t be prouder of each student and their journey ahead.” 

Chloe Fadden, Parent, St. John Paul II School
“We are incredibly proud. Living in a small town an hour away means our kids spend a lot of time commuting, and we sometimes worry about what they might miss. Opportunities like the Lakehead Achievement Program remind us why we make the trip. This is something we would not have access to otherwise, and we are so grateful. I also love how the program motivates students throughout their school years.” 

Jade Fadden, Student, St. John Paul II School
“I’m excited to be part of the program. I really want to go to university, and one day I hope to be a baker because there is only one bakery in Sioux Narrows. Being chosen makes me feel excited for the future.”  

Amanda Stefanile, Achievement Program Manager, Lakehead University
“Since its inception, the Achievement Program has built strong connections between Lakehead University and families across our region,” said Amanda Stefanile, Manager of the Achievement Program. “We’re excited to welcome students from Kenora Catholic into this growing community.”

A Natural Problem Solver

"I've always wanted to quench my thirst for learning," says Sana Sharif, a third-year electrical and computer engineering PhD student based in Barrie.

"From childhood, I was always keen to see how things are built. I would reverse-engineer my toys!"

Last spring, she received a Lakehead Luminary Award from Lakehead's Student Success Centre, celebrating her many contributions on and off campus.

Journeying from Pakistan to Lakehead

Sana's PhD supervisor is Dr. Waleed Ejaz. She's also worked with researchers in Canada, the United States, Malaysia, and Pakistan. "When we collaborate, it opens up so many more avenues." One of the recent research papers she co-authored looks at how equipping unmanned aerial vehicles with digital twin technology has the potential to better respond to natural disasters.

Sana earned her undergraduate and master's degrees in computer engineering in her native country, Pakistan, then emigrated to Canada in 2014.

After starting her family and becoming a Canadian citizen, she decided to return to school in 2021 for her Master of Electrical and Computer Engineering degree. She chose Lakehead because of its small class sizes and accessible professors, she says.

"I can find my professor without a crowd of other students, and I can discuss my research goals and how the work is going."

Cutting-Edge Wireless Technology Research

Today, those research goals include being at the forefront of 6G wireless technology.

The first few generations of data transmission via cell phone and text message were slower, but the next generation provides high-speed internet and supports mobile with better voice quality and faster connections.

"Under 6G, it's not only words," Sana says. "It's about image transmission and video transmission. It's also about transmitting bulk data in milliseconds."

Sana's research is attracting attention. She won third place in the 2025 Canada Students and Young Professionals Congress hosted by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE).  

Sana is focused on optimizing resources for semantic communication—a wireless communication system that transmits meaningful data rather than raw data.

"For example, if a building was on fire, instead of sending an image of the building, semantic communication sends only the meaning: The building is on fire," Sana explains. "This reduces both transmission costs and storage costs."

Projected to be available in the next five years, 6G data transmission may be a thousand times faster than what we have right now with 5G. It has fascinating implications in a wide range of areas in machine-to-machine communication—from self-driving cars to networked factories to robotic surgery.

One of Sana's recent research papers looked at the potential use of 6G in "smart traffic systems" that make roads safer and reduce traffic congestion. "Such a system would turn all the traffic lights on an emergency vehicle's route green so that it could reach its destination quickly."

She believes that harnessing the potential of 6G wireless networks will create a more interconnected and intelligent world.

Mentoring and Inclusion for the Win

Sharing her skills and experiences is an essential part of Sana's success. For several years, she's been part of mentoring programs with Mitacs, a leading Canadian innovation organization that connects businesses and researchers.

Through the global research intern program, Sana guides visiting researchers during their time in Canada. She also mentors female researchers in a women-in-STEM accelerator project, offering advice and insights from her own experience.

She says she values the perspectives from her mentees, and that her efforts are also a way of echoing the mentoring her own professors provided.

Sana (third from left) received a 2024 Graduate Studies Research Excellence Award from Lakehead. She also received a 2025 Lakehead Leader Luminary Award. "It was a moment of gratitude for me."

A spirit of inclusion and embracing the value of different points of view also informs Sana's work. In 2024, the Digital Research Alliance of Canada (DRAC) recognized her through their Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility Champions program.

They provided $35,000 in funding for her series of workshops on enhancing AI knowledge among women, racialized groups, and first-generation students. "There are so many opportunities in AI," she points out. "The future is becoming more and more digital, so we need hands-on experience in those skills."

6G data transmission has fascinating implications in a wide range of areas in machine-to-machine communication—from self-driving cars to networked factories to robotic surgery.

Although she's won many graduate student awards and scholarships, one of the most meaningful honours is her Lakehead Luminary Award. "I'm really happy and thankful to all the people who nominated me."

The Lakehead community is equally thankful to Sana.

One of her nominators described her as "a rising star who has made significant contributions to Lakehead University and the broader community through her leadership, academic achievements, and commitment to diversity, inclusion, and sustainability."

As Lakehead University prepares to open its new Barrie STEM Hub in fall 2026, Sana's story offers a glimpse of what future engineering and computer science students will experience there. Located in the heart of Barrie's waterfront district, the STEM Hub will provide the kind of hands-on research, small-class mentorship, and high-tech learning environment that has helped Sana thrive. Her work shows the possibilities that await the next generation of students who choose to study close to home while staying connected to opportunity.

Chief Michele Solomon has led Fort William First Nation since 2023, but she's spent decades caring for her community.

Before entering the political arena, she had a successful social work career specializing in mental health and addictions.

"I was drawn to the helping field because I wanted to strengthen my community, and because social work seemed like a natural fit, given my life experiences," Chief Solomon says.

"I had great experiences with all of my Lakehead teachers," Chief Solomon says. "Professor Dennis McPherson and his Indigenous Canadian World Views course had an enormous impact on me."

She earned a Social Service Worker diploma from Confederation College and began working with Thunder Bay organizations, including as a team leader and manager with the Dilico Adult Residential Treatment Centre and as a manager with the White Cedar Healthcare Centre.

A Winding Journey

After she received her diploma, Chief Solomon began considering university.

"I was trying to advance to management positions, and not having a degree was held against me," she says.

She decided to enrol full-time in Lakehead's social work program.

"If my story can inspire anybody, then it's worth sharing. It might motivate a young mother who feels overwhelmed by the prospect of getting an education." Above, Chief Solomon takes part in a smudging ceremony.

"It was a struggle, though, to go to school with four young children," Chief Solomon says. "So I ended up dropping out before returning to Lakehead part-time in the Bachelor of Arts in Indigenous Studies program.

The program really resonated with me as a non-status Indigenous person growing up on a reserve—the challenges of identity and the hardships that came with that. It allowed me to understand these issues more deeply and from a different perspective."

Chief Solomon received her Bachelor of Arts in 2017, with the support of her family.

"My eldest daughter helped a lot with her younger siblings, and my children's father backed my efforts to be in school."

A Caring Political Leader

Above, Chief Solomon hugs a fellow community member at the installation ceremony of Lakehead President Dr. Gillian Siddall in 2024.

As her children grew older, Chief Solomon was able to devote more of her time to helping her community at the systemic level.

In 2015, she successfully ran for the position of Fort William First Nation councillor and served in that role for eight years before being elected Chief.

"I've had the privilege of representing the Fort William First Nation in the Robinson-Superior annuity court case since 2018, including giving testimony," Chief Solomon says.

By 2018—as well as serving as a councillor—she was working for the groundbreaking Ontario Native Women's Association, managing their Indigenous women's leadership programs.

That year, she also deepened her Lakehead connection. She taught the Indigenous Perspectives class at the university's Bora Laskin Faculty of Law.

"It was wonderful to be part of a dialogue with students," Chief Solomon says. "I was able to engage with up-and-coming law professionals who opened their hearts and minds to that learning experience."

Carving Her Own Path

"I'm dedicated to advancing the Fort William First Nation's wellbeing, prosperity, and economic development, and finding ways to inspire our youth," Chief Solomon says.

"It's also important to me to represent the community in a positive way and to act as a bridge between the Indigenous and the non-Indigenous community."

Chief Solomon (fourth from the left) spoke at Dr. Gillian Siddall's May 2024 installation ceremony, during which Dr. Siddall was installed as Lakehead's president & vice-chancellor. The ceremony was held at Anemki Wajiw (Mount McKay) on the lands of the Fort William First Nation.

While Chief Solomon was embracing these new roles, she was quietly continuing her university education to earn an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Indigenous Studies.

"I painfully chipped away at the degree, taking a course here and there," she says.

In 2025, things came full circle.

She gave opening remarks on behalf of the Fort William First Nation at Lakehead's May 29 convocation ceremony.

The following day, she attended another Lakehead convocation ceremony. This time, she sat with fellow graduating students before walking across the stage to accept her HBA degree.

Chief Solomon speaks at Lakehead's May 29, 2025, convocation ceremony. "When I was in college, my children were very young. When I was in university, my kids were adolescents. Now, I've graduated with my HBA, and I'm a grandmother with eight grandchildren."

Chief Solomon encourages other community members to consider post-secondary education.

"It brings Indigenous voices and understandings to places where they might not otherwise be heard. Education allows us to be stronger. It opens the doors to a good life, and it makes a difference to the lives of your family."

This Judo Athlete and Kinesiology Student Strengthens Communities

If the idea of meeting a black belt martial artist seems intimidating, Kylee Henson will put you at ease.

Kylee received her Honours Bachelor of Kinesiology, with a minor in Health and Aging, in 2023, and will complete her Master of Science in Kinesiology in December 2025.

Kylee—a judo athlete and Lakehead kinesiology student—is an active community volunteer and one of the friendliest people you'll meet on the Thunder Bay campus.

"For me, volunteering is about respect and giving back," says Kylee, who received a 2025 Lakehead Leader Award for Community Engagement from the university.

"There's a golden rule in judo: People invest in you, so you invest in others."

She's been practicing judo since she was five years old, and competed nationally and internationally until 2022.

"My signature move was an arm bar. I would grab hold of my opponent's arm to lock and hyperextend it when we were grappling on the ground."

A Black Belt with a Keen Research Mind

Kylee's passion for judo has carried over into her academic studies.

"My knee and ankle injuries got me interested in kinesiology and biomechanics," Kylee says.

"Biomechanics is about applying forces to the body and studying how the body reacts. It's physics for your joints."

Kylee is currently finishing a master's thesis focused on reducing judo athletes' risk of concussion.

"Beginners are at the biggest risk of concussion," Kylee says. "More experienced athletes know how to fall."

Above, Kylee (wearing a blue judo gi) teaches a children's judo class at Thunder Bay's Mountainside Judo Club.

She wants her research to spur the development of a standardized judo under-mat system—also called a sub-floor—that will diminish the blunt-force impact when athletes' heads hit the judo mat.

"There's no regulated under-mat system anywhere in the world," Kylee explains. "I'm comparing the systems I've played on to see if some are better than others."

Kylee was a highly ranked judo athlete, and she still practices judo recreationally. It's a sport that's a family tradition. "My dad and my uncle were both big martial artists," she says. Left, Kylee celebrates the day she earned her black belt with her father (left) and uncle (right).

Judo clubs use everything from wall insulation and rubber hockey pucks to pool noodles as cushioning beneath judo mats.

Kylee's interest in keeping people healthy extends well beyond judo. As a master's student, she was hired by the City of Thunder in 2023 to create its Keep Moving Toolkit.

"It helps people dealing with complicated health issues—like stroke, cerebral palsy, and diabetes—build social connections and engage in physical exercise," Kylee says. The toolkit has been adopted across northern Ontario since it was released in February 2025.

Mentoring the Next Generation

It was Kylee's work on and off campus that earned her a Lakehead Leader Award. The Student Success Centre presents these awards to students who embody the spirit of excellence, innovation, and dedication.

Kylee (far right) with the Lakehead women’s varsity wrestling team. Kylee initially planned to become an occupational therapist. “I wanted to adapt elderly people’s homes to keep them independent, but I changed my focus after I began doing postsurgery rehab with Lakehead varsity wrestlers.”

Some of the initiatives that earned Kylee her award include getting Lakehead involved in National Biomechanics Day—an annual worldwide event that introduces this STEM field to high school students and teachers.

"With the support of my supervisor, Dr. Carlos Zerpa, I invited Grade 11 students to campus to learn about biomechanics through different activities and exercises." Kylee's enthusiasm not only got students excited about biomechanics—it boosted enrollment to Lakehead's kinesiology program.

She also mentored St. Ignatius High School students in the fundamentals of kinematics research, showing them how to analyze sport performances using Kinovea video software.

Self-Defence Skills Nurture Self-Confidence

Kylee is a certified judo instructor, and she draws upon her skills to empower community members. "I've adapted what I've learned to teach women and police officers self-defence."

Kylee (third from left) teaches a self-defence class to Lakehead students. 

More recently, she volunteered with the Elizabeth Fry Society to offer self-defence classes to at-risk female inmates about to be released from prison. "The purpose was to help them feel safe on the street after being incarcerated."

Kylee is now busily planning for the future. She already has her own kinesiology business—called Boreal Health, Bodies in Motion—that provides in-home fascia stretching services. Her long-term goal, however, is to provide health programming at the municipal level to create flourishing communities.

"I always encourage people to stay active throughout their lives—it will keep you strong and independent."

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.

By: Melissa Burton

Three Lakehead University researchers have been recognized by the Government of Canada with new and renewed Canada Research Chair (CRC) appointments for their outstanding scientific contributions to our local and global communities.

Dr. Christopher Mushquash was appointed as a new Tier 1 CIHR CRC in Indigenous Mental Health and Addiction. Dr. Alla Reznik, Tier 1 CRC in Radiation Medical Imaging Physics, and Dr. Lindsay Galway, Tier 2 CRC in Social-Ecological Health, received renewals.

“The work of Dr. Mushquash, Dr. Reznik, and Dr. Galway perfectly aligns with Lakehead’s research priorities, especially in areas like health and well-being; First Nations, Métis, and Inuit research; and sustainability, resources, and the environment,” explains Dr. Langis Roy, Vice-President of Research and Innovation. “These appointments affirm our standing as a research-intensive university committed to generating innovative solutions for our regions and advancing knowledge that matters for both people and planet.

Dr. Mushquash, Psychology Professor and member of Pawgwasheeng (Pays Plat First Nation), is Lakehead’s first Tier 1 CRC holder from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR). Blending traditional scholarly activities with Indigenous ways of knowing, he has influenced national policy and improved systems of care for Indigenous people during his previous two terms as a Tier 2 CRC.

Over the next seven years, Dr. Mushquash and his research team will expand their community-based research program to develop culturally- and contextually-appropriate targets of intervention, develop methods for testing outcomes, and share knowledge with Indigenous and academic communities, clinicians, policy-makers, and decision-makers.

“This appointment provides the platform to broaden our impact, not only through community-driven research, but by training the next generation of researchers to engage in respectful engagement with Indigenous communities,” he says.

Canada Research Chair Renewals

Dr. Alla Reznik, Tier 1 CRC in Radiation Medical Imaging Physics (NSERC)

Physics Professor Dr. Alla Reznik is revolutionizing the early detection and diagnosis of cancer. Dr. Reznik and her team have developed a low-dose Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scanner for breast imaging that has shown promising results in clinical settings.

They are currently refining their device to target other organs and provide clearer and more detailed diagnostic images compared to current technologies while minimizing patients’ exposure to radiation. “The PET scanner is designed to be versatile, capable of imaging various body parts such as the breast, brain, heart, and prostate with improved accuracy and detail,” she explains.

Dr. Reznik's innovations in medical imaging technology are improving patient health outcomes and advancing the field of personalized medicine by tailoring scans to individual patient needs.

Dr. Reznik was renewed for a seven-year term.

Dr. Lindsay Galway, Tier 2 CRC in Social-Ecological Health (SSHRC)

Dr. Galway, Associate Professor in the Department of Health Sciences, investigates how urgent global challenges, including climate change, pollution, biodiversity loss, and ecosystem degradation, directly impact the well-being and equity of people.

“My research falls under the umbrella of planetary health - the idea that human health and the health of ecosystems and the planet are deeply interconnected,” says Dr. Galway.

Building on the successes of her first term, Dr. Galway and her interdisciplinary team are co-constructing place-based solutions that prioritize the perspectives and experiences of marginalized groups. By promoting both environmental sustainability and social justice, Dr. Galway aims to build a more resilient and equitable future for all.

Dr. Galway was renewed for a five-year term.

Lakehead International (LUI) is excited and proud to host International Education Week (IEW), Nov. 17 to 21, 2025. This annual event is celebrated around the world and provides an opportunity to showcase the cultural diversity of our wonderful international student population, inform the Lakehead community about our efforts to internationalize Lakehead’s campuses and communities, and highlight the importance of international education.

Interactive activities and sessions hosted by the staff, faculty, and students are designed to enlighten participants, celebrate cultural diversity, and introduce opportunities for internationalization through study and work abroad. In keeping with our vision to develop inter-culturally competent and socially engaged leaders through transformative global experiences, LUI is working hard to honour the many cultures that make our communities so vibrant, and to engage in exciting knowledge-sharing and skill-building. 

We want to encourage all members of the Lakehead community to get involved with IEW 2025 and celebrate our amazing international students and campuses. Check out the full schedule of events here.

IEW Highlights: All are welcome! 

• IEW Kick-Off Event - November 17
• Culture Days in the International Centre - various days
• Culture Competitions in the Learning Commons- various days
• Global Runway Show - November 21
• Global ME Week -  Attend one of our exciting sessions to meet university partners, connect with exchange Alumni, discover international research opportunities, and learn about study abroad opportunities. See the full list of Global ME sessions here.
• IEW Passport: Get your IEW Passport stamped at each event you attend and enter to win some prizes! 

This Lakehead Student’s Commitment to Serve Others Remains Strong

Lieutenant Colonel (Ret’d) Darla Oja’s journey—from small-town Saskatchewan to international deployments—reflects a lifelong commitment to serving others. Now a Lakehead University student, she transforms decades of military leadership into service rooted in education, empathy, and community impact.

Oja joined the military at the age of seventeen. She grew up in a Métis community in northern Saskatchewan. “It’s a town of about 350 people, and I was related to most of them,” she says with a laugh. “A recruiter came to our school and picked up four of us in Grade 11. We all went to basic training that year. That was an option—and I chose it.”

Her decision launched a career that spanned positions ranging from Mobile Support and Equipment Operator to Lieutenant Colonel, culminating in her command of the 38 Service Battalion, which oversaw units across three provinces. She also served in Bosnia-Herzegovina, held numerous training and leadership roles, and spent decades living and serving in Thunder Bay.

“Decide what you want to be, and do it. If that’s what your heart tells you, then become that. Don’t let people tell you you can’t.”

“I’ve always loved learning,” Oja says. “To progress through the ranks, there was always training involved—it was like being in school all the time. I think that’s part of why I enjoyed it so much.”

When she reflects on her career, Oja speaks most about the people she has met. “Leadership isn’t just about example,” she says. “It’s about leading how you would like to have been led—helping others become their best possible selves.”

Oja was commissioned as an officer after a Thunder Bay commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel John Groves, recognized her potential. “If you’re looking for someone who shaped my approach, it was him,” she says. “He helped me understand what an officer should exude in command and leadership.”

Over time, she found her own style. “The military forms people into a certain way of thinking and doing,” she explains. “As I matured into my leadership role, I became more of my authentic self. Who I was was able to emerge more as I went up in rank.”
Honouring Indigenous Veterans

Each year on November 8, Canadians observe National Indigenous Veterans Day—a day of remembrance, reflection, and recognition. It honours the thousands of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis people who served in the First and Second World Wars, the Korean War, and in peacekeeping missions worldwide. It also acknowledges the families and communities who carried the burden of absence and loss with strength, pride, and love.

For Oja, the day underscores the importance of awareness and education. “Canada has a long history of Indigenous people serving, but for many decades that service wasn’t widely recognized,” she says. “This day helps make sure those stories are seen and heard—not only by Indigenous communities, but by all Canadians.”

That recognition, she adds, is also about progress. “It’s about understanding the sacrifices that were made and the stories that weren’t told for so long,” she says. “And it’s about asking what more we can do today to ensure they’re never forgotten.”

Helping Young People Understand and Embrace Our History
These days, Oja channels that commitment to remembrance and learning into classrooms across Thunder Bay. By sharing her dog tags, uniforms, and grandfather’s service medals, she helps students connect personally to history. “The kids under ten are my favourite,” she says. “They’re just curious—there’s no hesitation. They just want to touch everything.” Her visits spark discussions about Indigenous contributions and foster respect in students who might not otherwise learn these stories firsthand.

She believes postsecondary institutions play an essential role in carrying these stories forward and shaping student perspectives. “As an academic institution, Lakehead has an important responsibility,” she says. “Ceremonies like National Indigenous Veterans Day remind students that this is part of our shared history, and that it’s inclusive of everyone. But students should also be encouraged to stay curious—to expand their knowledge beyond what’s in a textbook.” Oja views her academic contributions as a means to raise awareness and foster meaningful dialogue about Indigenous experiences.

From Command to the Classroom

Returning to school herself, Oja is now in her third year at Lakehead, where she is completing concurrent degrees in social work and Indigenous learning, as well as a Certificate in Expressive Arts. “People are surprised when they find out I went back to school,” she says. “But it fits. I’ve always been drawn to education—now it’s about how I give back in a different way.”

Since retiring from the military, Oja has received notes from colleagues and former soldiers thanking her for her leadership and support. “I didn’t realize how much people felt that until after I retired,” she says. “They thanked me for believing in them, for contributing to their careers. These are things anybody can do—you just have to be a good person.”

Her advice to others is simple: “Decide what you want to be, and do it. If that’s what your heart tells you, then become that. Don’t let people tell you you can’t.”

After thirty years of service and a lifetime of learning, Oja remains focused on what’s next. “There are so many amazing Indigenous veteran stories out there,” she says. “Part of why I agreed to this interview was to open that up—to encourage those other stories to be told.”

Oja’s journey, in and out of uniform, is defined by learning, service, and connection. Every chapter of her life—in the field or in the classroom—builds toward her central goal: making a difference. National Indigenous Veterans Day, for Oja, is about honouring the past and inspiring others to serve, learn, and lead with purpose.

Everyone is invited to attend the Indigenous Veterans Day Ceremony on November 10 at 9:30 am in the Agora on the Thunder Bay campus. You can also watch the ceremony online by clicking here to register.

Visit the Indigenous Veterans Day exhibit on display from November 10-14 in the Agora to learn more about the service and the sacrifices of Indigenous soldiers and veterans.

Fighting For Freedom

Walter Sledzion—a Polish soldier who served with the Commonwealth forces during the Italian Campaign in World War II—was a remarkable man.

He survived being captured by enemy forces four times before eventually becoming a Canadian citizen.

"Walter was interned in a Soviet prisoner-of-war camp until the Soviets released him and fellow Polish soldiers in 1941," says Ethan Sosnowski, a second-year history student at Lakehead Orillia.

This was only the beginning of Walter's contributions to the war effort.

Walter Sledzion (left, in the framed photograph) trained in British-controlled Iraq with the Polish 5th Kresowa Infantry Division between 1941 and 1944 before fighting with the 2nd Polish Corps during the Italian Campaign.

He was transferred to Italy in 1944, where he fought in the Battle of Monte Cassino and the Battle of Ancona. At Monte Cassino, Walter was captured twice and escaped twice. At Ancona, he was injured by grenade shrapnel and taken prisoner for a final time before being liberated in May 1945. He spent another year serving with the Allied occupation forces in Italy.

"After immigrating to Canada, Walter regularly visited Royal Canadian Legions and attended veteran get-togethers to support his fellow service members," Ethan says.

It is stories like Walter's that Ethan wants to ensure are not forgotten.

A History Teacher Sparks a Lifelong Quest

Ethan purchased Walter's uniform three months ago for his collection of military items. Ethan began acquiring wartime paraphernalia—including uniforms, helmets, weapons, and medals—after being inspired by his grade 10 history teacher to learn more about World War veterans.

"Walter's uniform is the showpiece of my collection," Ethan says. "It's a 1940 Commonwealth battle dress. Walter didn't have his own uniform because it was taken from him after he was captured by the Soviet army."

His uniform is one of several owned by Ethan that will be on display at Lakehead Orillia this week in honour of Remembrance Day.

"I think it's incredibly valuable for students to learn about veterans," Ethan says. He devotes much of his spare time to arranging for his pieces to be exhibited at schools and community organizations.

Uncovering Forgotten Heroes

Ethan continues to add to his collection because he believes it will help Canadians remember the sacrifices made to preserve our freedom and our democracy.

Canadians will gather at Remembrance Day ceremonies across the country, including at the National War Memorial in Ottawa (above), to pay tribute to Canadian Armed Forces members.

Being a collector of military items has encouraged Ethan to learn about the soldiers who originally owned them. He searches archives for information, going through enlistment records, casualty cards, and medal citations. He's also helped people discover more about family members in the Canadian Armed Forces.

"I do this because I want to bring the stories of soldiers back into the light," Ethan says.

"I found that Ontario's high school history curriculum is too broad. It's only by looking into the experiences of individuals that you can better understand what life was like during wartime."

"I have to take a lot of care in storing and keeping the uniforms clean," Ethan says. He has a total of seven uniforms, several helmets, a Lee-Enfield gun, and many medals, including his grandfather's World War II defence medals.

"Studying history can prevent calamities from the past from being repeated," adds Ethan, who is concerned about misinformation he sees on social media that aims to distort historical memory.

"When museums and educational institutions post videos about the Holocaust, for instance, you see people in the comments sections denying and distorting history to suit their own narrative."

Visit Lakehead Orillia's Remembrance Day Display

At the Orillia campus, the uniforms of the servicemen below will be displayed, along with biographical information and photos:

• World War II Polish soldier Walter Sledzion
• World War I unknown Canadian soldier
• World War II Captain Joseph Matthew Schulde (member of the Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps)
• World War II Regimental Sergeant Major and Warrant Officer First Class Charles Joseph Rouse (member of the Royal Canadian Artillery)

This week, the Lakehead community will have the opportunity to learn about the men who wore these uniforms. "History often feels unreal because it's so far removed in time," Ethan says. "But seeing items helps you understand that these were real people and makes history feel more authentic."

Like Walter Sledzion, Ethan makes a point of visiting local branches of the Royal Canadian Legion. "I like to meet veterans and ask them questions—and I encourage others to talk to veterans. It shows them that you care about them and that you appreciate their service."

Everyone is invited to view the Remembrance Day display in Simcoe Hall's Learning Commons throughout the day on November 11 and on the morning of November 12.

The Department of History is pleased to support the Thunder Bay Historical Film Festival which will feature two films by Lakehead faculty and alumni.

The first is "Hollywood Dreams", a satirical history of film production at the Lakehead. "Hollywood Dreams" is episode 3 of "The View From Up Here", produced by Dr. Ron Harpelle. The series features Dr. Tom Peotto of the Department of History and the talents of several of the department's faculty and alumni. The second is a short presentation on the grain trade at the Port of Thunder Bay. "Shipping News," part of the "Reel Memories Project" led by Dr. Ron Harpelle and is produced and edited by Dr. Ligia Simba Bolaños, a recent graduate of Natural Resources Management. This short film is based on clips from Thunder Bay's nightly television news between 1960 and 1980. It offers glimpses of the waterfront and the grain industry.

Both films are a celebration of history at the Lakehead and they will be screened along with several other productions from the region. This is an opportunity for people to learn about local history while enjoying a night out. The event takes place on November 20, 2025 at the Thunder Bay Community Auditorium at 7:00 p.m. and it is free.