"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.

​​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

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.

"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.

The September 2025 issue of Education Exchange, the Faculty of Education's newsletter, has been published. This issue features news of the accreditation of the Keewatinase Indigenous Teacher Education program, the publication of the Faculty's Environmental Flourishing and Climate Action Plan, results from the Contract Lecturer survey, alumni profiles, faculty news, and more. To access this issue, click here.