Thunder Bay and Orillia, Ont. – Lakehead University thought leaders and changemakers are headlining a free public lecture series celebrating learning, discovery, and community.

Launching later this month in honour of Lakehead’s 60th anniversary, the President’s Public Lecture Series brings timely, thought-provoking conversations to the university’s campuses and communities in northwestern and central Ontario, supporting access and encouraging broad participation.

The series also invites community members to reconnect with Lakehead in person — to visit campus, engage with faculty and ideas, and celebrate the spirit of discovery that defines our university.

The six-part series will run from October through June and will feature world-renowned speakers, including Dr. Cynthia Wesley-Esquimaux, Chair on Truth and Reconciliation, and Faculty of Education professors Dr. Gerald Walton and Dr. Sonia Mastrangelo, with more to be announced. Events will alternate between Lakehead’s Thunder Bay and Orillia campuses, with all lectures available via live stream and posted online for on-demand viewing. Most lectures will be held outside of regular business hours to encourage broad community participation.

“We’re marking our 60-year history in a way that centres and celebrates those who have supported us from the beginning—by opening our doors, sharing ideas and knowledge, and most importantly, saying thank you to the communities who built us,” stated Dr. Gillian Siddall, President and Vice-Chancellor. “Lakehead’s story has always been one of partnership –– of what’s possible when people come together to imagine a brighter future. This series is an open invitation to the communities we serve to re-engage, reconnect, and imagine what’s possible when knowledge is shared freely and widely.”

Since 1965, Lakehead University has been deeply rooted in the belief that education should uplift communities. Over the past six decades, Lakehead has grown into a university known for research excellence, student success, and meaningful engagement with the regions it serves.

While an estimated 95 per cent of Lakehead’s domestic students face barriers to attending university, such as financial need, coming from a rural or remote community, or being the first in their family to pursue post-secondary education, Lakehead’s strong graduation rate — the second highest among Ontario’s primarily undergraduate universities — changes the life trajectory of its graduates.

“Last year, Lakehead was recognized by Maclean’s as Ontario’s top primarily undergraduate university — an honour that reflects the outstanding teaching and learning led by our dedicated and talented faculty,” explained Dr. Siddall. “Through this lecture series, I’m delighted to introduce the public to some of those individuals. I’m confident you will enjoy these talks — may they spark new ideas, inspiration, and conversation.”

The President’s Public Lecture Series is open to anyone interested in learning, challenging, and exploring. Attend in person or virtually.

Dr. Cynthia Wesley-Esquimaux will host our inaugural lecture live from Lakehead Orillia on Friday, Oct. 24 at 10 a.m. Then, on Thursday, Nov. 20, Dr. Gerald Walton will untangle the roots of bullying and offer advice on addressing these behaviours live from The Agora at Lakehead Thunder Bay.

For more information or to register, visit www.lakeheadu.ca/presidentslectureseries. 

Orillia, Ont. – The NASA International Space Apps Challenge brought together innovators, artists, coders, storytellers, and problem-solvers from across the region this past weekend to tackle real-world challenges—on Earth and beyond.

Presented by the City of Orillia and hosted by Lakehead University, the two-day event brought together 51 participants of all ages and skill levels, challenging them to form teams and use data from NASA and other Space Agency Partners to design solutions that would educate, inspire, or transform the lives of humans on this planet and in space.

“The Space Apps Challenge continues to show that innovation requires collaboration and diversity of skill and talent,” explained Rebecca Heffernan, Director of Economic Development & Research Support, and co-lead, NASA Space Apps Challenge - Orillia location. “The pride, excitement, and confidence shown by each one of our challengers — elementary students, high school students, college and university students, and community members — was truly inspiring.”

Two of the 12 participating teams will advance to the next round of competition. An additional five teams were recognized for their exceptional performance in an optional local Pitch Challenge. Held on Sunday, Oct. 5, the Pitch Challenge provided teams with an opportunity to receive feedback and compete for additional cash and prizes. Five groups walked away with bragging rights, including:

• Innovation Award: Project Impact by Team Escape Velocity – A comprehensive asteroid impact simulation and planetary defense education platform.
• Impact Award: Astroscope by Team Pizza Planet – A web-based platform for the collaborative exploration of high-resolution geological data, featuring both a 2D deep-zoom image viewer and an immersive 3D/VR moon terrain visualization.
• Storytelling Award: The Day the Sun Burped, an illustrated short story by Team Fluffiest Flamingos, to help kids learn about space weather.
• Honourable mention - youth category: Trash into Treasure by Team Ombs – To make the best use of materials in space and support wellness for astronauts on long missions, the team envisioned printing games on food and hydration packets so that the packaging could be used for other purposes instead of being thrown out.
• Honourable mention: TEMPO Analytics by Team Green Alien House Party – The team developed a mobile application that would allow users to monitor and make informed decisions about the air quality in their community.
    

Special highlights this year included career-focused networking on Day 1 and a video presentation by Canadian Space Agency (CSA) astronaut Jeremy Hansen.

“We're excited to have been able to host this event for the second year at Lakehead University,” said Jessica Lovett, Director of Career Services and Co-op and co-lead, NASA Space Apps Challenge - Orillia location. “The mix of returning and new participants, combined with generous support from local collaborators and new activities offered by the Canadian Space Agency, created a truly astronomical environment for innovation and exploration.”

Lakehead University would like to thank all the participants, mentors, and volunteers for making this year’s Space Apps Challenge a success, and acknowledge the sponsors, collaborators, and friends for their continued support:

• City of Orillia
• City of Barrie
• County of Simcoe
• Town of Collingwood
• Canadian Space Agency
• Manticore Books
• Raytheon ELCAN
• Smart Aviation Maintenance Solutions
• Lobo Media Marketing

We can’t wait for the return of Space Apps in 2026. If you’d like to accept the challenge and join the mission as an event volunteer, contact director.careers@lakeheadu.ca to be placed on a list for information as soon as dates and details become available.

OVERVIEW:

• Lakehead University biologist Dr. Michael Rennie was the chief scientist on a recent expedition of the Blue Heron research vessel
• Dr. Rennie is doing critical research into the Superior Shoal—a 300-metre-high mountain in Lake Superior nicknamed the "Freshwater Everest"
• Data from the Superior Shoal expedition will be used to develop strategies to conserve Lake Superior and other threatened large-lake environments

Behind the Scenes on Dr. Michael Rennie's Unprecedented Expedition

Dr. Michael Rennie has just returned from the nautical adventure of a lifetime.

In early September, he was the chief scientist on a mission to explore a hidden ecosystem. He and a research crew set sail across Lake Superior on the Blue Heron research vessel owned by the University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD).

During the week the research crew (above) was at the Superior Shoal, its ROV submersible did two to three dives per day. Left to right: Zach Melnick (Inspired Planet), Yvonne Drebert (Inspired Planet), Lisa Sundberg (UMD), Tom Frantti (UMD), Jason Agnich (UMD), Gwen Phillips (U Vermont), Dr. Bianca Possamai (U Vermont), Rual Lee (UMD), Ted Gephart (UMD), Lydia Paulic (U Windsor), Dr. Michael Rennie (Lakehead). Photo Credit: Zach Melnick

This voyage was the culmination of over a year of planning for Dr. Rennie, who is a Lakehead University professor in the Department of Biology.

It took a day to load the equipment on the boat and a full day to sail to their destination, 70 kilometres from the Canadian shore.

The Superior Shoal is part of the Lake Superior National Marine Conservation Area and was formed from the lava of a long-ago volcanic eruption. Photo Credit: Zach Melnick

A Soaring Mountain Rises from the Abyss

The Superior Shoal, nicknamed the "Freshwater Everest," reaches 300 metres upward from the lake floor and is rumoured to have caused shipwrecks like the infamous 1975 sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald.

"It's this strange cryptic environment," Dr. Rennie says. "If you were sailing near it on a freighter, you'd never know it was there, even though its highest peak is just six metres below the surface.

It's swarming with fish, and it's a hotspot of biological activity. This kind of biodiversity can also be found on seamounts in oceans."

Dr. Michael Rennie says that Lakehead has an important role to play as the only research-intensive university on the Canadian side of Lake Superior.

A key goal of Dr. Rennie's expedition was to test his hypothesis that the same conditions that create abundant life on seamounts—geological features combined with currents, light, and water columns—are also responsible for the Superior Shoal's biodiversity.

"It's probable that the algae covering the shoal supports an extensive food web, and the shoals act as a spawning ground for fish."

The expedition was a collaboration between Dr. Rennie and researchers from the University of Minnesota Duluth, the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, the University of Vermont, and the University of Windsor. Other partners included the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, and Parks Canada.

"It takes a village," Dr. Rennie says.

A Filmmaking Odyssey

To view the Superior Shoal, the Blue Heron used a remotely operated vehicle (ROV)—a small submersible equipped with a high-resolution camera—capable of diving among the shoal's perilous peaks and canyons.

Although Dr. Rennie is a certified scuba diver, regulations make the cost of research dives prohibitive. "This means the ROV footage we shot is even more crucial." Above, Dr. Rennie helps prepare a stationary up-looking hydroacoustic submersible to detect concentrations of fish above the shoal. Photo Credit: Yvonne Drebert

The ROV was operated by Zach Melnick and Yvonne Drebert, the filmmakers behind Inspired Planet Productions. "They were absolutely fantastic to work with," Dr. Rennie says.

The filmmakers—with the sponsorship of Parks Canada, Science North, and Canadian Geographic—produced the first-ever livestream of the Superior Shoal during Dr. Rennie's expedition.

A Haven for Lake Trout

The research crew dropped off acoustic receivers at the Superior Shoal. These receivers detect tags that have been surgically implanted in lake trout, enabling scientists to see where fish like the redfin trout (above) travel, and learn more about their behaviour. Photo Credit: Zach Melnick

Dr. Rennie is investigating whether the Superior Shoal ecosystem is crucial to the well-being of the entire lake.

"We know that the shoal is filled with many species of lake trout. This is encouraging since Lake Superior's lake trout fishery collapsed in the 1960s and has only recently rebounded."

On the expedition, the researchers collected genetic material from lake trout to test how similar or different they are to near-shore lake trout populations, and to determine if these lake trout can help repopulate other areas of Lake Superior.

The Mysteries of the Deep

"Seeing the multitude of fish on the shoal, including sculpins, burbot, and rare redfin, siscowet, and humper lake trout species was amazing," Dr Rennie says.

"The most astounding sight for me, though, was pinky-orange hydras pulsing like a vast garden on the shoal," he says of the tiny anemone-like creatures.

Above, carnivorous hydra cover one of the shoal's cliff faces. Award-winning filmmakers and Royal Canadian Geographical Society Fellows Yvonne Drebert and Zach Melnick hope to make a film about Dr. Rennie's Superior Shoal expedition. Photo Credit: Zach Melnick

The research crew was also transfixed by a never-before-seen hunting behaviour of the redfin lake trout.

"They dragged their fins through the algae to chase out organisms so that they could eat them. Until now, no one knew they used this ingenious hunting method."

Dr. Rennie's work has laid the groundwork for future expeditions that will yield unique insights.

"Our research has the potential to create scientific strategies to successfully conserve Lake Superior and other large-lake environments that face threats such as climate change, pollution, and overfishing."

Watch the historic livestream of the Superior Shoal dive.

Dr. Michael Rennie's Superior Shoal research and expedition was made possible by funding from the University of Minnesota Duluth, the Great Lakes Fisheries Commission, and a Discovery Grant and Ship Time grant from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC).

"As a kid, one of my hobbies was taking apart and building computers," says Lakehead-Georgian computer science student Omid Latifi.

One of Omid’s favourite pastimes is wrestling. “Wrestling and computers sound like polar opposites, but wrestling has given me the discipline, mental toughness, and confidence to pitch ideas and lead teams to success, whether it’s a hackathon or leading a team of developers as a project manager.”

Recently, his stellar performances in hackathons and competitions have been attracting national and international attention, even though until 2021, Omid had been planning to become a doctor.

"I switched career paths because I liked the idea of being able to change the world right from my living room. I think about problems in my community and try to come up with original ways to solve them," adds Omid, who grew up in Barrie. "Henry Ford said that if you asked people what they wanted, they would have said, 'Faster horses.' I always strive to build solutions with the same innovative mindset."

Omid develops many of his products through competitions. "I've been in hackathons and entrepreneurship contests at the University of Toronto, Waterloo, McMaster, and across Ontario, but in my opinion, Lakehead-Georgian hosts the most interesting and well-organized events."

Protecting Canada's Arctic Sovereignty

On September 20, Omid made waves with his technological prowess.

He won The Icebreaker Defence Tech Hackathon—Canada's first-ever military defense tech hackathon.

Pratik Das (left), Omid Latifi (centre), and Miran Qarachatani (right) teamed up to win The Icebreaker Defence Tech Hackathon for their Arctic Overwatch app. In 2024, Omid and his teammate Brandon Hann won first place in the Innov8 competition for DriveMind, which uses AI to fight traffic congestion.

Competitors were asked to create a maritime-surveillance system to help the Canadian Armed Forces detect dark vessels in Arctic waters. These are ships that engage in illegal activities such as unregulated fishing, smuggling, and human trafficking.

"We developed Arctic Overwatch," Omid says. "It's a multi-modal machine learning application featuring an interactive global real-time notification system and an AI-powered dark vessel detection dashboard. In addition, it has a custom vessel-fingerprint system that uses a ship's wake patterns to identify its model, engine, and dimensions."

Crushing the Competition

In 2025, Omid and his teammate Pratik Das created a smart capacity management app to track attendance at city recreation centres in real time. These facilities are often overcrowded, but Omid and Pratik's app addresses this challenge by using existing CCTV surveillance cameras and AI to do automatic headcounts.

"It also predicts future headcounts and has an AI receptionist available 24/7 to answer questions about occupancy levels and the availability of services."

Ahmed Abduljader (left) and Omid (right) won in the Best Use of Emerging Technology category in the TerraHacks 2025 competition for Arnold AI, a personal fitness and physical rehabilitation companion. Other recent competitions where Omid has excelled include the 2025 AutoHACK competition.

Omid and Pratik won first place in both the Bright Minds City of Orillia competition and the 2025 Innov8 competition, which is part of Georgian College's Research, Innovation, Scholarship and Entrepreneurship (RISE) symposium.

Omid won third place in the same Innov8 competition for another app—called Project Abel—making history by becoming the first-ever participant to win multiple awards in a single year.

From California to Outer Space

Project Abel is an international collaboration with Momchil Gavrilov, a research associate at the University of California (UC), Davis. "I met Momchil in grade 10 when we both tried out for our high school wrestling team. We've been great friends ever since."

Abel is an AI-powered legal assistant that will help ordinary people build legal cases—dramatically reducing their legal costs and increasing access to the justice system.

As part of the development of Project Abel, Omid and Momchil surveyed over 200 law professionals in California.

Abel was inspired by Momchil's frustrating attempts to get an international visa after he graduated from UC Davis and wanted to stay in the United States as a researcher.

After discovering that 92 per cent of legal issues faced by underrepresented groups went unresolved, the pair expanded Abel's capabilities. It will now encompass landlord disputes, contract misunderstandings, and basic human rights issues.

Project Abel made it to the third round of the Big Bang! competition at UC Davis, one of North America's top student entrepreneurship contests. "We're working with intellectual property lawyers at UC Davis to get it market-ready," Omid says.

In 2024, Omid had another breakthrough when he and fellow Lakehead-Georgian student Miran Qarachatani entered the NASA International Space Apps Challenge hosted on the Lakehead Orillia campus.

Their Project Orbit is an educational interactive 3D-web app, called an orrery, that shows how moons and planets revolve around the sun.

Watch the NASA International Space Apps Challenge presentation given by Omid (right) and his teammate Miran Qarachatani (left). 

It won the Innovation Award in the NASA Space Apps Challenge Orillia site pitch and was selected to move forward to the global competition, placing among the top 943 of all global projects submitted. "Out of the approximately 94,000 global competitors, there are only 10 winning teams," Omid explains.

Now, Omid is taking this year off from school to work as a product manager at SOTI—a Mississauga tech company. "I want to use the skills I'll learn there to give back to the community before finishing my final year at Lakehead-Georgian."

Congratulations to this rising tech star!

In celebration of its 60th anniversary, Lakehead University invites everyone to Homecoming Weekend, October 2–4, 2025, honouring six decades of community partnership and regional impact through transformative education.

The three-day celebration brings together academic talks, social gatherings, sporting events, and award ceremonies. While some events are tailored for alumni and the Lakehead community, many welcome friends of the university and the public, inviting everyone to share in celebrating Lakehead’s legacy in Thunder Bay and northwestern Ontario.

“Homecoming Weekend comes alive with stories, laughter, and pride,” said Michael den Haan, Vice President of University Advancement. “In our 60th year, we look forward to welcoming alumni and friends to celebrate past achievements and inspire the next chapters we will write together.”

The festivities kick off with the long-awaited return of The Outpost Pub Night, a tradition that defined Thursday nights for generations of students. This special 60th-anniversary edition invites alumni and friends to reunite, raise a glass, and relive unforgettable campus memories, featuring live music from local favourite Blood Red Moon performing nostalgic hits from years past.

Homecoming Weekend also honours excellence with the Athletics Wall of Fame Induction Ceremony and the Lakehead Celebrates Reception, recognizing alumni, athletes, coaches, and community members whose achievements have left a lasting mark. From record-setting performances on the court to transformative contributions in careers and communities, this year’s recipients embody the determination, innovation, and spirit that define Lakehead’s legacy.

“The alumni we are celebrating have not only made their mark at Lakehead but have carried that impact into our communities and beyond,” said Mark Tilbury, Director of Alumni and Annual Giving. “Honouring them is a reminder of the powerful legacy Lakehead alumni continue to create, generation after generation.”

“For our athletic community, this Homecoming holds special meaning,” added Tom Warden, Director of Athletics. “With the Wall of Fame inductions and the anniversary of hockey’s return, we’re honouring decades of dedication, determination, and Thunderwolf spirit.”

Homecoming Weekend offers a unique opportunity for the entire Thunder Bay community to reconnect with Lakehead University, celebrate six decades of achievement, and experience firsthand the lasting impact the university continues to have on the region.

Learn More:

For a full list of Homecoming activities, visit: https://www.lakeheadu.ca/alumni/events/homecoming

Homecoming Weekend Public Events:

Thursday, October 2, 2025
7:00 p.m. — Back to the Outpost Party | The Outpost | $5/person
Pub Night returns! Relive one of Lakehead’s most beloved campus traditions with a special 60th-anniversary edition. Alumni and friends are invited to reunite, raise a glass, and celebrate unforgettable Thursday-night memories. Register here.

Friday, October 3, 2025
7:00 p.m. — Alumni Blue & Gold Night | Fort William Gardens
Lakehead Hockey vs. Guelph Gryphons
Show your Lakehead pride at Blue & Gold Night! Join alumni, students, and Thunderwolves fans for the hockey home opener. Wear your school colours and cheer loud as the Lakehead family comes together. Online ticket sales start September 29.

Saturday, October 4, 2025
12:00 p.m. — Athletics Wall of Fame Ceremony | The Hangar
Celebrate the 2025 inductees into the Lakehead Athletics Hall of Fame, honouring outstanding athletes, coaches, and teams whose contributions have shaped Nor’Westers and Thunderwolves sports.

2:00 p.m. — Women’s Basketball Alumni Game | C.J. Sanders Fieldhouse
Cheer on former Thunderwolves at the annual Women’s Basketball Alumni Game! Whether playing or spectating, this Homecoming tradition is fun for all.

7:00 p.m. — Lakehead Hockey vs. Guelph Gryphons | Fort William Gardens
Cheer on the Thunderwolves in their second varsity hockey game of the season! Alumni, friends, and community members are invited to pack the stands and bring their noisemakers. Online ticket sales start September 29.

"Lakehead has been really pivotal to shaping who I am and my career," Sidney says. She currently teaches a second-year environmental education course at Lakehead Orillia. "I take students on field trips to do land-based learning."

Sidney Howlett didn't expect her life to change the day she spoke to youth climate activists at an Alberta high school in 2020.

Sidney—who was then an engagement manager with the environmental education foundation GreenLearning Canada—was giving a talk about climate change solutions.

"One of the students asked me if we were going to overcome climate change because she was worried about her future," Sidney says.

"I said, 'Of course,' because I didn't want to burden them with my own anxieties. But afterwards, I cried because I felt that it was false positivity."

Sidney Confronts her Fears

At the time, Sidney had been thinking about going back to school.

Sidney has always had an affinity with the natural world. "I never came home with clean clothes. My mom said she was afraid to check my pockets because she never knew if she'd find rocks, sticks, or bugs."

She had already earned an Honours Bachelor of Arts and Science and a Bachelor of Education at Lakehead Orillia in 2017. This was followed by over two years teaching at a French-immersion school in Peterborough, Ontario, and five years working for environmental non-profits.

The youth activist's poignant question led Sidney to take an online course investigating how educators can help young people navigate the difficult emotions that climate change evokes.

One of the course speakers was Lakehead education professor Dr. Ellen Field. She's a leading researcher on the policy and practice of climate change education in the Canadian K-12 school system.

Dr. Field's talk spurred Sidney to enrol in Lakehead Orillia's Master of Education degree, specializing in environmental and sustainability education. Dr. Field became her thesis supervisor.

"My thesis investigated climate emotions and how to foster emotional resilience in the classroom in a way that's honest, but that protects young people's hope," Sidney says.

She also joined Dr. Field's research team, of which she's still a member, and worked on projects like the Climate Action Accelerator Program, which helps K-12 schools create climate action plans.

An Ethical Entrepreneur

While completing her master's degree, Sidney heard about the university's Ascend Accelerator initiative. It's a program that gives Lakehead students and alumni the training and tools to start their own businesses.

Sidney (right) gave presentations to educators across the country with Dr. Ellen Field (left) about climate action policies. She also worked with Dr. Field on the Climate Leadership Within Canadian School Boards: 2023 Review.

Sidney completed the program in 2024 and launched Sidney Howlett Consulting—a company that helps educational organizations implement climate change solutions.

"Ascend connected me with experts to incorporate my business, set up my website, provide financial advice, and draft my contracts. Thanks to their support, I've already successfully consulted with multiple school boards."

A Future to Believe In

Sidney at a climate protest in Orillia. "I was always the kid who said that we needed to recycle."

"By creating climate action plans through the EcoSchools Board Program, school boards don't need specialized staff or extra funding to implement solutions," Sidney explains. "They have the knowledge, content, and worksheets to do it themselves."

There are many practical ways that school boards, schools, and students can make a real difference. For instance, depaving schoolyards to reduce heat, encouraging electric buses, switching to LED lighting, and supporting students through climate change training.

An inquiry-based learning project about bees I did with one of my classes when I was an elementary school teacher got me interested in climate change.

"I think education is one of the most important levers for creating change," Sidney says. "We need to make systemic-level changes that are carried out by school boards and governments."

Through her company, Sidney gives talks, delivers presentations, and offers research services, all while adjusting to life as the mother of eight-month-old twins.

Her twin boys have given her work new urgency. The drive to protect a flourishing natural world is no longer just about her—it's about the world they will inherit. For Sidney, that future is worth fighting for.

If you're looking for ways to contribute to climate solutions, Sidney suggests checking out Ayana Elizabeth Johnson's Climate Action Venn Diagram webpage.

Lakehead University's campuses will be closed and classes will be cancelled on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, in recognition of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day. This day provides an opportunity to reflect on the multi-generational impacts of Canada's Residential School system, honour the children who survived, and remember those who did not.

Lakehead Orillia's Survivors' Flag-raising ceremony on September 5, 2025.

A Month of Reflection and Learning

September is a month of truth-telling, reflection, and learning at Lakehead University—essential steps on the path toward meaningful action and reconciliation. Closing campuses on September 30 allows students, faculty, and staff to participate in this important day through quiet reflection or involvement in community events.

Creating Understanding and Building Bridges

Earlier this month, Survivors' Flag-raising ceremonies were held on the Thunder Bay and Orillia campuses. Indigenous community leaders, including Honorary Survivors and Elders Bob Baxter and Ernie Sandy, shared their stories and perspectives.

More events and learning opportunities continue throughout the month to support everyone's personal journey toward reconciliation. September 30 is a time not only to acknowledge the harms caused by Residential Schools but also to take action to prevent them from ever happening again and to seek justice for survivors.

Honorary Survivor and Elder Bob Baxter speaks at Lakehead Thunder Bay's Survivors' Flag Raising ceremony on September 5, 2025.

UNIVERSITY EVENTS:

Lakehead Orillia Events:

September 24: "Truth and Reconciliation in an Era of Distraction." Attend this virtual talk by Dr. Cynthia Wesley-Esquimaux, Lakehead's Chair on Truth and Reconciliation, from 11:30 am - 1:00 pm.

Lakehead Thunder Bay Events:

September 19: Powley Day ceremony celebrating the legacy of activist Steve Powley and the historic Métis victory at the Supreme Court of Canada in 2003. The ceremony will take place in the Agora from 1:30-2:30 pm. You can also watch the event on Zoom.

September 20: Fall Harvest at the Sweat Lodge site from 11:00 am - 2:00 pm. Join Lakehead University Elders to learn cultural teachings and sample traditional foods.

September 18, 23, and 29: Elder Beatrice Twance-Hynes is available to meet with students, staff, and faculty from 12:00 - 4:00 pm for individual or small group teachings in the Gakina Nindinawemaaganag Lounge in the Indigenous Student Services Centre (University Centre, UC1007).

September 24: "Truth and Reconciliation in an Era of Distraction." Attend this virtual talk by Dr. Cynthia Wesley-Esquimaux, Lakehead's Chair on Truth and Reconciliation, from 11:30 am - 1:00 pm.

September 29: Bead a Pin for Orange Shirt Day. All material will be provided so that participants can create Orange Shirt Day beaded pins. This event, hosted by the Indigenous Student Services Centre, runs from 11:00 am – 1:00 pm in the Agora.

COMMUNITY EVENTS:

Simcoe County Community Events:

September 22: Orange Shirt Day Flag Raising from 11:00 am - 12:00 pm at the Orillia Opera House at 20 Mississaga St W. The Orillia Native Women's Group (ONWG), Biminaawzogin Regional Aboriginal Women's Circle (BRAWC), Mamaway Wiidokdaadwin, and the City of Orillia are raising a flag in honour of those who attended Residential School. Click here to register.

September 30: Truth and Reconciliation events supported by the Barrie Native Friendship Centre, Mamaway Wiidokdaadwin, the Barrie Public Library, and the City of Barrie at Spirit Catcher (15 Lakeshore Drive, Barrie) including a Sunrise Ceremony, Sacred Fire, guest speakers, and a memorial walk.

September 30: National Day for Truth and Reconciliation 5th Annual Community Event from 5:00 - 7:00 pm. The event (hosted by the ONWG, Mamaway Wiidokdaadwin, and BRAWC) begins at the Orillia Common Roof Building at 169 Front Street South, followed by an Honour Walk to Couchiching Park, a Youth and Children Panel Presentation, and an Honour song and round dance.

September 30: National Day for Truth and Reconciliation event hosted by the Georgian Bay Native Friendship Centre at 175 Yonge Street in Midland from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm. Events include opening songs and prayers, traditional dancers, a Sacred Fire, drumming, and a barbecue.

September 30: Ceremonies and tours will be held throughout the day at the Sainte-Marie among the Hurons historic site in Midland, offering a chance to reflect, commemorate, and learn. Admission is free.

Thunder Bay Community Events:

September 29: National Day of Truth and Reconciliation Survivors' Flag Raising hosted by the City of Thunder Bay at Hillcrest Park. The ceremony begins at 6:00 pm.

September 30: Orange Shirt Day Walk & Gathering in Support of Residential School Survivors and their Families hosted by Nishnawbe Aski Nation. The event begins at 10:30 am with opening remarks at City Hall (500 Donald Street East) followed by a walk to Vickers Park.

September 30: Fort William First Nation 10th Annual Traditional Fall Gathering at Anemki Wajiw (Mount McKay Scenic Lookout) in honour of Indigenous children. Events include a Sunrise Ceremony, grand entries, youth and tiny tot dance specials, a hand drum special, and a feast.

September 30: Honouring Our Children Run at Boulevard Lake hosted by Dilico Anishinabek Family Care. Funds raised from this event will help support the Mazinaajim Children's Foundation—a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting Indigenous children and their families.

October 4: Sisters in Spirit Sunrise Ceremony is taking place at The Spirit Garden in Marina Park from 7:30 - 8:30 am. For more information, contact Karissa Michano at kmichano@nan.ca.

More Ways to Show Your Support:

• Wear an orange shirt
• Watch the Phyllis Webstad - On Orange Shirt Day video
• Read the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada's Calls to Action
• Support Indigenous-led businesses
• Use the social media hashtags:
  #OrangeShirtDay, #EveryChildMatters, #TruthAndReconciliation, and #NDTR

Lakehead University's campuses are located on the traditional lands of Fort William First Nation and the traditional territory of the Anishnaabeg, specifically the Chippewas of Rama First Nation, a member of the Chippewa Tri-Council and Three Fires Confederacy.

Graduate student Bismark Antwi has been selected as the inaugural winner of the Best Engineering Co-op Student Award from the Faculty of Engineering.

“I am deeply honoured to receive this inaugural award that highlights the need to strive for excellence in any field you find yourself. I hope this award becomes a lasting emblem that motivates students to pursue a greater solution to the needs of humanity,” says Antwi.

He undertook his co-op placement at Elk Valley Resources, part of the Glencore Group, in Sparwood, British Columbia, between September 2024 and April 2025. He recently completed a Master’s degree in Environmental Engineering in the Faculty of Engineering.

The award recognizes the student who achieved the highest employer evaluation in the cohort of 2024-2025 engineering co-op students at Lakehead.

He received his award this month from Dr. Janusz Kozinski, Dean of Engineering. “Co-op is a critical component of engineering education, at both undergraduate and graduate level. It’s more important than ever for our students to gain hands-on experience and to start applying their professional skills to complex, real world projects before they graduate,” says Kozinski.

Thunder Bay and Orillia, Ont. - Lakehead University unveiled a bold vision for the future with the launch of its new five-year strategic plan.

The plan, Shaping the EvoLUtion, reflects the unique and essential role of Lakehead University in Canada’s postsecondary landscape, serving northwestern and central Ontario — a place of progress and curiosity, where learning and research break down barriers, drive innovation, and create space for local solutions with global impact.

“Sixty years ago, Lakehead University was built by the community for the community,” said Dr. Gillian Siddall, President and Vice-Chancellor. “Today, we’re ready to write our boldest chapter yet — one of growth and transformation, where we reimagine and redefine Lakehead’s role in shaping society through exceptional teaching, groundbreaking research, and meaningful service.”

Informed by the voices of over 1,200 stakeholders, including students, faculty, staff, and community partners who together reimagined Lakehead’s potential, the plan outlines what Lakehead will achieve by 2030, why it matters, and how it will get there.

Grounded in values of integrity, community, belonging, curiosity and reconciliation, five themes form the foundation of this plan: 1) expanding student opportunity and success; 2) sustainable economic and community development and entrepreneurship; 3) advancing societal impact; 4) people and culture; and 5) financial sustainability.

It also reflects Lakehead’s commitment to academic and research excellence, advancing truth and reconciliation, strengthening community partnerships, and expanding our global impact.

“We heard clearly from our partners and the university community that the qualities that define Lakehead need to be celebrated and strengthened,” said Cathy Tuckwell, Chair of the Board of Governors. “This plan reflects those values, continuing Lakehead’s tradition of empowering students to shape their futures to tackle big questions and discover original solutions. The entire Lakehead community contributes to student success.”

Together with the university’s academic and operational plans, the new strategic plan will foster vibrant community partnerships and drive greater economic vitality for northwestern and central Ontario.

“The world is changing rapidly, and we know we will face challenges that require strategic approaches and leadership,” said Dr. Siddall. “Shaping the EvoLUtion will set that course and position us to adapt and respond dynamically, while educating the next generation of thought leaders and changemakers. Together, we will continue to evolve what makes Lakehead a special place — and a launchpad — for so many.”

Read the full plan here.

When Camryn Williams was nine years old, she toured Lakehead's Nursing Simulation Lab with fellow elementary students enrolled in the university's Achievement Program. The visiting youngsters were able to use medical equipment to listen to the heartbeats and take the blood pressure of the high-tech manikins that nursing students use to learn essential skills. 

It turned out to be a prophetic day for the young girl. Thirteen years after that visit—in May 2025—Camryn graduated from Lakehead with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree.

The moment Camryn realized she wanted to be a nurse: the opportunity to learn how nurses care for their patients and try out the equipment in Lakehead's Nursing Simulation Lab had a big impact on nine-year-old Camryn. Providing opportunities for students' personal growth and leadership development is a key aspect of the Achievement Program.

Camryn has also passed the National Council Licensure (NCLEX) exam for registered nurses and began working as a cardiac nurse at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre last month.

Camryn's hard work and intelligence have enabled her to reach these milestones, along with some assistance from the Achievement Program. It's an initiative committed to removing barriers to postsecondary education for every child in northern Ontario, so that they believe that a college or university education is possible for them.

The Achievement Program is housed in Lakehead's Department of Athletics—providing a welcoming environment where students can experience the university through sports and fun recreational activities. From there, students are connected to faculties and departments where they can start thinking about what they might like to do when they grow up.

The Achievement Program does this by providing both mentorship and recreational, educational, and cultural programming to students facing socioeconomic challenges. Students enrol in the program in grade 4 and continue until they complete grade 12. By participating in Achievement Program activities and passing their grade every year, these students also earn financial support that covers their first year of tuition at Lakehead.

The Kid Who Wouldn't Give Up

Camryn is a member of the inaugural group of 13 students who enrolled in the Achievement Program in 2012, which was then part of the Lakehead Public Schools' summer literacy program. Since its founding, the Achievement Program has expanded to 464 students from school boards across the region.

"My mom signed me up because she was concerned that my grade-three reading level was below average," Camryn says. "She knew I could do better."

The next year, Camryn was proud to show her mother her report card. "I got an A in reading," she says. "The Achievement Program pushed me to try harder in school, and by the time I graduated from Hammarskjold High School, I was at the top of my class."

In a session facilitated by the Niijii Mentorship Program, Camryn learned about computer coding with an Ozobot—a miniature robot with a sensor that can be coded to follow lines, read colour code combinations, and move in different directions. Throughout her four years at Lakehead, Camryn worked as an Achievement Program mentor, helping other children find their passions.

As a program participant, Camryn was often on the Lakehead campus. "It was a bit intimidating at first, but it got easier every year and it helped me transition into high school and university," she says.

She remembers making paper airplanes and putting them in a wind tunnel to understand the aerodynamics of flight, building and racing boats, chemistry lab experiments, and playing basketball and soccer.

When she entered high school, the focus shifted to preparing for higher education. "We'd have lunch sessions with Lakehead student-mentors and Amanda Stefanile, the Achievement Program coordinator. They'd teach us things like how to apply for OSAP and scholarships, how to study for exams, and how to budget."

Finding Her Calling

After countless activities, though, it was the Nursing Simulation Lab tour that stood out the most to Camryn.

"I didn't realize I wanted to be a nurse until the Achievement Program let me see first hand what it was like," she says. "I'd always been interested in science and biology and I thought it was cool that nursing could knit these fields together with my love of caring for others."

She was also influenced by her family—both her parents worked in health care and her grandmother had been a nurse. "Hearing their stories reinforced my decision to become a nurse."

"It was awesome to walk across the stage to get my Lakehead degree, especially since I wasn't able to have a high-school graduation ceremony because of the COVID pandemic," Camryn says. The beautifully decorated hockey stick Camryn received from the Achievement Program was a perfect graduation gift. Camryn has been playing hockey with the Thunder Bay Queens for the past 10 years.

Stepping onto campus as a university student in September 2021 was both exciting and familiar for Camryn.

"Lakehead's nursing program is great because it's one of the few schools where students have placements in hospitals and long-term care facilities beginning in their first year. I immediately began learning and applying real-life skills and developing relationships with patients."

Since that long-ago day in the Nursing Simulation Lab, Camryn has never looked back, and now she's looking forward to a wonderful future.

Congratulations to one of our newest Lakehead University alums!

We are incredibly grateful to the donors who support this program and who support our youth. Click here if you'd like to help Achievement Program students participate in yearly programming in school and on campus.