Dr. Christina van Barneveld, Associate Professor in the Faculty of Education, has received a Northern Arts Grant from the Ontario Arts Council for her 2026 project, Rooted Reflections: Mosaic Dialogues with Northern Land.

This artistic project is a series of 16 abstract fish mosaics that explore themes of migration, belonging, and identity through a northern Ontario lens. Combining traditional glass mosaic techniques with nontraditional, responsibly sourced materials such as stone, birchbark, plant fibres, and organic materials, her work reflects a land-based artistic practice that is grounded in place and relationship.

Dr. van Barneveld brings a deeply personal perspective to the project, examining what it means to live between cultures and how connections to land shape identity over time.

“As first-generation Canadian of Greek and Dutch heritage—born in Montreal and now living in Thunder Bay—I am drawn to the spaces between cultures and how we carry and reshape our sense of home,” she explains. “My approach reflects a commitment to ethical, land-based art-making and a deepening understanding of my relationship to people and place in the North.”

The fish motif in her artwork operates as a contested symbol of migration, resilience, survival, and spirituality across cultures, including Dutch (e.g., herring), Greek (e.g., tsipoura), and especially within northern Ontario’s Indigenous and settler contexts (e.g., pickerel).

Rooted Reflections is grounded in a mentor/friendship-based approach through collaboration with colleague Dr. Paul Cormier, Chair of Keewatinase, Department of Indigenous Education, a member of the Red Rock Indian Band who grew up in northern Ontario. A dialogic process, involving shared walks and reciprocal learning on the shores of Lake Superior, grounds her artwork in accountability to land and community.

“This project is about making art as part of a journey of expanding relationality and accountability to people and places, and sharing that journey with others,” she says.

Public presentations and workshops displaying her artwork will invite critical reflection from diverse communities in northern Ontario, prompting dialogue about the role of art in reconciliation, memory, and home. Using mosaics as a site of cultural negotiation and innovation, her project enacts a provocation: how might abstract, materially grounded art challenge assumptions about place, identity, and cultural continuity?

MPP for Thunder Bay-Superior North Lise Vaugeois also acknowledged the achievement.

“Congratulations to Dr. Christina van Barneveld on receiving this well-deserved Ontario Arts Council grant. Her work shows the power of art rooted in land, community, and lived experience here in Northern Ontario. Congratulations Christina!”

Kinesiology Grad Madeline Fabiano Excels at Uplifting Others

Madeline Fabiano (HBK'23/MSc'25) is part of a generation of young people who've faced more than their fair share of struggles.

She was only a few months into her university studies when COVID hit, forcing everyone into lockdown.

This crisis affected students mentally, socially, and academically.

Madeline, though, rose above the pandemic's daunting challenges. She not only thrived, but she helped her fellow students thrive, too.

"I wanted to create supportive environments where people feel empowered and to foster a more inclusive, health-focused campus," she says.

"My goal was to address real student needs and promote a lasting culture of wellness."

Above, Madeline (right) and her father Enzo (left) at her 2023 undergraduate convocation ceremony.

Her diverse contributions have earned her the 2026 Robert Poulin Memorial Award for Outstanding Citizenship.

"Receiving the award is a wonderful culmination of my academic, research, and volunteer work at Lakehead," says Madeline, who has earned undergraduate and master's degrees in kinesiology.

"It's an honour to leave with such a meaningful award."

The Healing Power of Connection

To help students have the best university experience possible, Madeline joined several organizations—including the Kinesiology Association of Lakehead University (KALU) and Lakehead's Student Wellness Advisory Team (SWAT).

"I promoted awareness of campus services and connected students with critical resources, such as counselling," she says.

Madeline’s approach to kinesiology is focused on the benefits of physical activity. “Even carving out 10 minutes makes a huge difference,” she says. 

Later, during her master's degree, Madeline joined the Lakehead chapter of the Cam's Kids Foundation, which assists youth dealing with mental health issues.

"My focus was on promoting exercise and healthy coping strategies and disseminating this knowledge through campus activities and social media."

Madeline's outreach efforts went far beyond campus.

She found time to volunteer with the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre's Hospital Elderly Life Program and WE-Can patient assistant program.

Serving as a Camp Quality companion to children with cancer was another incredibly rewarding endeavour.

Get Up and Move

Madeline was drawn to kinesiology—the study of the body in motion—because physical activity has been central to her life.

"I did dance, gymnastics, soccer, and swimming as a young child because my parents wanted to introduce me to a broad range of activities," she says. "When I got older, I concentrated on competitive cross-country skiing and running."

Above, Madeline stands in front of the School of Kinesiology with the coveted Chalice of Knowledge. "You can only drink from it after you've defended your master's thesis!" she explains. This passion for athletics carried over into her university research.

Madeline zoned in on an overlooked aspect of the pandemic—the loss of opportunities for exercise and physical activity.

"After the lockdown ended, I noticed there weren't many young women in the gym," she says.

"They wanted to be more active, but because they hadn't had access to athletic facilities during COVID, they didn't learn the skills needed to feel confident in the gym."

"I had a lot of people in my corner at Lakehead—including my thesis supervisor Dr. Erin Pearson—who contributed heavily to my successes," Madeline says. Above, Madeline and Dr. Pearson (pictured right) at Lakehead's 2024 Research and Innovation Awards Ceremony after Madeline won the People's Choice Award and came first place in Lakehead's Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) competition. She later came third in the 3MT® provincial finals.

Madeline's undergraduate thesis studied these barriers to exercise and provided the foundation for her master's thesis—the development of the SHINE (Supporting Her In Navigating Exercise) program.

SHINE used peer support to enhance women's exercise behaviours and comfort level in the gym.

"Each student exercised once a week with a kinesiology student who acted as their mentor," Madeline explains. "It really improved their confidence and activity level."

Don't Let Fear Hold You Back

"I had countless opportunities at Lakehead," Madeline says, "from representing the university at a national undergraduate kinesiology research conference to competing in the provincial Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) graduate competition.

My Lakehead professors have been my cheerleaders for the past six years." 

For her PhD research, Madeline will create exercise interventions aimed at reducing perimenopausal symptoms among inactive women. "There's not much research on perimenopause," she says. Above, Madeline gives a presentation at McGill University.

Since successfully defending her master's thesis in August 2025, she has been enrolled in McGill University's kinesiology PhD program. "My dream is to continue conducting health research as a university professor," she says.

Madeline urges Lakehead students to be unafraid of pursuing opportunities that come their way.

"My dad always tells me to have courage, he says, 'Be a lion.' It's advice that inspires me to take chances."

The Robert Poulin Memorial Award for Outstanding Citizenship is presented to a full-time undergraduate or graduate student on the Thunder Bay campus for their contributions to the welfare of Lakehead through their student activities.

Madeline's research was made possible by several scholarships and grants: a Canada Graduate Research Scholarship awarded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, an Ontario Graduate Scholarship, an Applied Health Research Scholarship from St. Joseph's Care Group, and funding provided by a Lakehead faculty member, through a Lakehead Faculty Research Grant, in support of Madeline's master's research.

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.

SSHRC Storyteller Sydney Ambury Advocates for Care and Compassion

The opioid epidemic is taking a toll on families and communities across the country.

In northern Ontario alone, 324 people died from opioids in 2024.

“Being able to showcase my SSRHC-funded research is huge,” says Sydney, who just successfully defended her master’s thesis. “It’s important to show how we transform grant money into research.”

"Watching this crisis unfold and seeing how people who use drugs are treated as less deserving of care sparked my research," says Master of Social Work student Sydney Ambury.

In 2024, she became a research assistant on a project funded by a Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) Institutional Grant and led by Lakehead social work professor Abigale Sprakes.

The research—done in partnership with Thunder Bay's Safer Supply Program (SSP)—documented the impact of accessing opioid alternatives.

Safer Supply prescribed alternative drugs to people with opioid-use disorders, allowing them to avoid the unregulated toxic drug supply.

A key component of Sydney's research involved inviting Safer Supply clients to share their experiences in short videos they created together.

"The digital stories are an important piece of advocacy calling for evidence-based and compassionate systems of care," Sydney says. "We need to remind community members that the lives of people who use drugs matter."

"We wanted these digital stories to spotlight the real human beings who relied on the program and to show how the program changed their lives," she says.

This powerful research project led SSHRC to select Sydney as one of 20 national finalists in the 2026 SSHRC Storytellers Challenge.

"It was very exciting to learn I was a finalist," Sydney says. "SSHRC's research funding has allowed the voices of people who are often dismissed to be heard."

A Life-Changing and Life-Saving Program

Thunder Bay's Safer Supply Program had an impressive track record.

It was responsible for a 92% reduction in drug poisonings for participants enrolled in the SSP and a significant decrease in their Fentanyl use, one of the deadliest drugs contributing to the opioid crisis.

"Not a single program participant died the entire time that Safer Supply was running," Sydney reports.

Safer Supply increased clients' connection to family, friends, and the larger community. The program's wraparound services also had a huge positive impact. Safer Supply's support led to an 86% increase in housing for its clients and reduced the amount of time they spent in hospital emergency rooms by 50%.

Many other participants reduced their drug use or stopped using drugs entirely.

But SSP's impact went far beyond reducing the harms of drug use.

"The staff did a great job of being welcoming and inclusive," Sydney says. "Safer Supply provided meals if clients were hungry, a place to nap, and connected them with health and social services, including housing."

Vulnerable People are Falling through the Cracks

"I am healthier, happier, and loved because of Safer Supply," says Peanut, one of the digital storytellers.

"Before Safer Supply, I wanted to die," adds Solo. "Safer Supply helped me want to live."

Unfortunately, the federal government stopped funding Safer Supply Programs in March 2025—putting the people who relied on them in jeopardy.

Thunder Bay's Safer Supply Program was shut down while Sydney was conducting her research in 2025. "I saw how cared for and valued Safer Supply participants felt, and their grief and fear when they learned that the program was closing," she says.

"Provincially, there's been a shift to an abstinence model when it comes to treating drug use," Sydney says.

"It ties into the misguided idea of expecting people to pull themselves up by their bootstraps, without taking into account all the factors affecting them."

As an undergraduate student, Sydney conducted opioid research with Lakehead social work professor Abigale Sprakes. "I was part of the Thunder Bay Safer Supply program evaluation team. During the evaluation, some of Safer Supply's clients and staff said they wished they could show people what was happening at Safer Supply.

While there's no typical substance user, clients of SSP were more likely to be struggling with challenges like homelessness and food insecurity.

Now, their primary treatment option is the new Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment (HART) Hubs.

"These hubs focus entirely on abstinence and offer no harm-reduction services," Sydney says.

"But we need both approaches to provide the full scope of care required, rather than trying to force people who use drugs into societal beliefs about what they 'should' want."

She believes that the decrease in harm-reduction approaches makes it even more crucial to share the stories of Safer Supply clients with educators, healthcare providers, and policymakers.

As Sydney says in the closing of her SSHRC finalist video:

"These stories advocate for compassion. They are people asking to be heard. Are you listening?"

SSHRC's Storytellers Challenge asks postsecondary students to show Canadians how social sciences and humanities research is impacting our lives, our world, and our future for the better. In June 2026, Sydney, and 20 other national SSHRC Storytelling finalists, will present their research at the Science Writers and Communicators of Canada conference in Montreal. Based on their presentations, five winners will be chosen.

Lakehead University and Paapiiwaaniimaan Grassy Narrows Mercury Care Home (GNMCH) signed a Memorandum of Understanding today to help advance education, workforce development, and community-based research for Grassy Narrows First Nation.

The MOU outlines a shared commitment to expand access to postsecondary education for Grassy Narrows First Nation members, introduce new training programs and micro-credentials, support student placements in the community, and advance research that responds directly to local needs and priorities.

“This collaboration reflects our shared belief in the transformative value of education and the importance of working together in meaningful, community-driven ways,” said Dr. Gillian Siddall, President and Vice-Chancellor of Lakehead University. “We are proud to collaborate with Grassy Narrows in building pathways for Indigenous learners and advancing initiatives rooted in community priorities.”

At the centre of the agreement is an emphasis on the integration of Indigenous knowledge and culturally informed approaches across programs, training, and research, to ensure the partnership aligns with community values and perspectives.

“This is about creating opportunities for our people in ways that respect our knowledge, our needs, and our future,” said Chief Sherry Ackabee of Grassy Narrows First Nation. “We are building something that is guided by our elders, supports our youth, strengthens our workforce, and reflects what matters most to our community.”

For Lauri-Ann Marshall, Executive Director of GNMCH, the partnership with Lakehead helps GNMCH continue to build a model of care that reflects what the community has been asking for. “It supports training, workforce development, continuing and life-long education opportunities, supporting the community vision of ‘care close to home’ for the people of Grassy Narrows,” she explained. 

The Memorandum of Agreement between GNMCH and Lakehead’s Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences will further support this vision of ‘care close to home’ through health-focused education pathways, student placements addressing local health needs, and initiatives to strengthen the community’s health workforce.

“This partnership creates meaningful opportunities for our students to learn with and from the community,” said Dr. Mirella Stroink, Dean of the Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences. “It strengthens experiential learning while supporting culturally relevant approaches to care.” 

The work between Lakehead and GNMCH has been ongoing, grounded in the connections that students, faculty, and staff have built together over time.

“It has supported shared learning and helped create safer, more welcoming workplaces, offices, and communities across the partnership, opening pathways for Lakehead students and Grassy Narrows community members to continue these relationships for generations to come,” said Hussain Durrani, Director of HR and Operations at GNMCH and a Lakehead alum. 

Following the signing ceremony, Lakehead held a screening of “Sports Education Reconciliation”, a documentary capturing the Lakehead University Student Union and Thunderwolves Soccer Club’s second annual visit to Grassy Narrows. The documentary highlights the strength of relationship-building through youth engagement, athletics, and cultural exchange.

Lakehead Students are Raising Awareness about Human Trafficking

"As more of young people's lives move into the virtual world, online platforms and apps are increasingly being used to contact, groom, manipulate, and exploit young people," says Lakehead student Taylor Munro.

Taylor and fellow social work students Steven Kearney, Shanta Paudel Khatiwada, Kris Carlson, and Tessa Pasqualino recently investigated this growing problem.

"Social media is now both a place of connection and a place of exploitation," says Taylor Munro (pictured left). She and her fellow students' human trafficking project gave them the opportunity to engage with a complex and urgent social issue early in their academic and professional development.

As part of an undergraduate social work theory course taught by professor Abigale Sprakes, they studied the impact of human trafficking in Thunder Bay and northwestern Ontario.

Their research focused on the online exploitation of young people aged 12–18.

As part of this important work, they developed a social media campaign to raise public awareness about human trafficking.

Social work students Taylor Munro and (left to right) Steven Kearney, Kris Carlson, Tessa Pasqualino, and Shanta Paudel Khatiwada hosted an information table about human trafficking at Thunder Bay's Intercity Mall in February 2026. They say that "one of the most important takeaways from our research is the need to shift how we understand vulnerability."

These efforts were bolstered by a letter-writing campaign aimed at key stakeholders and decision-makers with the power to take action against trafficking.

The students also participated in a community awareness event organized by the Thunder Bay Coalition to End Human Trafficking at the Intercity Shopping Centre in February 2026.

Human Trafficking in Northwestern Ontario

The core mechanics of trafficking—recruitment, control, and exploitation—are consistent across Canada, but regional context shapes how it occurs.

In northwestern Ontario, domestic sex trafficking that targets women and youth is the most prevalent form of trafficking.

"It doesn't usually look like what you see in the movies," explains Shanta Paudel Khatiwada.

"Trafficking is less about abduction by strangers, which does happen, and more about abusive relationships, manipulation, and victims being moved between communities."

Trafficking is subtle and embedded in everyday environments, particularly online.

The Rise of a Dangerous Threat

Social media has become a gateway for the trafficking and exploitation of children and youth on an unprecedented scale.

This is particularly the case in northwestern Ontario. The region's geographic isolation and limited access to services and social supports make it more likely that youth will seek connection online.

Approximately 91% of Canadians aged 15–24 report using some sort of social networking platform, making them vulnerable to online predators. This means that young people's access to technology must be balanced with meaningful safeguards and awareness.

Traffickers then deploy a range of online tactics, including grooming through fake identities and sextortion (using images for blackmail).

Luring victims by pretending that they're interested in a romantic relationship, known as the "boyfriend model," is another popular strategy.

"Because of this, many young people do not initially identify as 'victims,'" Steven Kearney says. "But what may appear as a 'choice' is frequently survival within highly controlled circumstances."

Online platform features such as anonymous accounts, disappearing messages, livestreaming, and algorithm-driven connections make it easier to contact, manipulate, and isolate youth—often in a frighteningly short space of time.

The students' research showed that Snapchat is one of the most commonly used social media platforms for trafficking and exploitation.

Who is at risk?

Traffickers are highly skilled at identifying the unmet needs of young people and positioning themselves as the solution.

"They look for signals, both online and offline, such as loneliness, conflict at home, financial stress, or a desire for belonging," Kris Carlson says.

They then set about exploiting these normal human needs."

The social work students discovered that escaping trafficking is not a single moment but a process. Recovery may involve housing, healthcare, counselling, legal advocacy, and community connection. Photo Credit: Pexels/cottonbro studio

There are also social factors and systemic inequities, such as colonialism, racism, and homophobia, which can increase a young person's vulnerability.

For instance, youth who identify as 2SLGBTQIA+ and BIPOC, and those who've had adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), may be at higher risk because they're part of marginalized groups with less access to support.

We All Have a Role to Play

Human trafficking is a crime that affects every aspect of a person's life, including physically, psychologically, relationally, and neurologically.

The research students developed infographics, including this one, that they shared with the Thunder Bay Coalition to End Human Trafficking for their use. Some of the students also posted the infographics to their personal social media platforms to further public awareness.

So how can parents protect their children?

"When children feel safe, seen, and supported, they are more likely to recognize risk before a situation escalates," Tessa Pasqualino says.

"Open, non-judgmental conversations about online spaces, relationships, and safety are essential."

The most effective protection is not to control a young person's world, but to prepare them to navigate it safely.

Likewise, schools and social service providers can play a critical role in prevention and early intervention. Developing strong legislation and protections to keep pace with the constantly evolving world of the internet is equally important.

"We want people to remember that young people are not 'seeking attention' when they're online," the student researchers add.

"They are seeking connection, belonging, and safety. When those needs are unmet, they can be exploited."

Parents, educators, and community members can click here to learn more about tools and resources to prevent human trafficking.

If you, or someone you know, may be a victim of trafficking, call the Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-833-900-1010.

Researcher Dr. Gerardo Reyes is Working to Protect Alvar Landscapes

Ecologist Dr. Gerardo Reyes's curiosity has been captured by alvars—a habitat found in only a few places around the globe.

These unusual and biodiverse landscapes are characterized by exposed limestone bedrock and a patchwork of thin mineral-rich soils.

"Alvars are relics," says Dr. Reyes, a Lakehead Orillia Biology and Sustainability Sciences associate professor.

"They've remained virtually unchanged since the last ice age 12,000 years ago."

Dr. Reyes is a population and community ecologist focused on species conservation, socioecological resilience, and the scholarship of teaching and learning.

Dr. Reyes and his research team want to develop sustainable grazing practices to balance the needs of agriculture with the conservation of alvar ecosystems.

They're doing this through fieldwork analyzing the vegetation and abundance of alvar species and by mapping land use over time.

Endangered Species Thrive in Alvars

In the spring the alvars flood, in the summer they sizzle through drought, and the rest of the year they crack and heave with frost.

Much of the vegetation found in alvars is a mishmash of what would normally grow in alpine, grassland, or arctic conditions.

Trees such as white birch can grow in the fissures of alvars, provided enough soil and moisture is retained. Trees also deepen the fissures through root development. The microhabitats they help create can maintain vegetation cover during the drought periods of late summer.

Alvars are also the home of rare and endangered plants, as well as plant species that have been separated from other populations of the same species found further north or south.

Despite the rarity of alvars, Dr. Reyes doesn't have to venture far from his doorstep to study them.

Remarkably, 75% of the world's alvars are found in Ontario.

The Carden Plain, around the Kawartha Lakes region, is the site of Dr. Reyes's research.

It's there that native fauna including the juniper hairstreak butterfly and the bobolink songbird flit among dwarf lake iris, tiny mousetail, and juniper sedge.

Beardtongue plant (Penstemon hirsutus) is a drought-tolerant native perennial that attracts native checkerspot butterflies and many bee pollinators, making it important for maintaining biodiversity.

Not surprisingly, areas like the Carden Plain are a popular spot for birders and nature lovers.

They are attracting unwelcome visitors, too, which concerns Dr. Reyes.

He says that the Carden Plain is under pressure from urban development, quarrying, livestock grazing, off-road vehicle use, and invasive species.

Can cows help save this fragile habitat?

Dr. Reyes—along with Biology and Sustainability Sciences professor Dr. Nanda Kanavillil and graduate student Brandon Guoth—are taking a closer look at these pressures, particularly at how cattle grazing affects this unique environment.

Dr. Reyes and Lakehead sustainability sciences students (left to right): Avi Balroop, Mateo Velasco, Emily De Geus, Holland Dunlop, and Mika Mackay. Emily and Holland are members of Dr. Reyes's alvar research team.

A portion of the Carden Plain is owned by conservation groups who lease it to ranchers so that groups of 50 to 100 head of cattle can graze there in the spring and early summer.

"We're trying to determine what level of grazing is okay to maintain biodiversity and natural conditions," Dr. Reyes says.

"At what point is it too many cattle for too long a period of time?"

Cattle may stop trees from encroaching on open alvar habitat. This could conserve grassland habitat for at-risk bird species like the bobolink and the eastern meadowlark.

One negative effect may be that the cattle are inadvertently spreading invasive species—or aggressive native species—by scattering seeds as they walk or via their droppings.

On the other hand, cattle grazing may protect alvars by enriching the soil and maintaining its open grassland structure and plant diversity.

Taking Action to Safeguard Biodiversity

Dr. Reyes's alvar research is a newer field of study for him, but it connects with his commitment to socioecological resilience.

"Historically, I've worked mostly in forests," Dr. Reyes explains.

"I study the impacts of harvesting practices such as clear-cutting and partial cutting on forest regeneration and look for ways to better manage our forest resources.

Alvars are a different ecosystem, but they face the same issue—trying to make sure that natural resource use is carried out in a sustainable way.

We want to ensure that we're stewards of our resources."

Dr. Reyes and Dr. Kanavilil's alvar research has received funding from Lakehead's Office of Research Services, the City of Orillia, and private donors. Research team member Brandon Guoth also received funding from the Orillia Fish and Game Conservation Club.

A $2-million gift from the Joyce Family Foundation will help more students access a Lakehead University education, removing financial barriers and opening doors to opportunity.

The gift will establish The Joyce Family Foundation Bursary, an endowed fund that will provide three bursaries of $22,000 ($5,500 payable per year for four years) per year and directly benefit students who face financial challenges. The first bursaries will be given out in September 2026. 

"The Joyce Family Foundation Bursary is a door-opening opportunity that removes the financial barriers standing between students and their ambitions,” said Lakehead President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Gillian Siddall. “As an access institution, we are thrilled that each year three Lakehead students will have the support of this bursary so they can focus on their studies and achieve their goals rather than worry about financial stress." 

On average, 95 per cent of Lakehead’s domestic student population faces barriers to attending university, such as financial need or being the first generation in a family to pursue post-secondary education. Support from donors helps bridge the gap between provincial student grants and loans and the financial needs of students.

Today’s investment builds on a decade-long relationship between Lakehead University and The Joyce Family Foundation, grounded in a shared commitment to improving access to postsecondary education and supporting student success.

“The Joyce Family Foundation is honoured to continue Ron Joyce’s legacy of investing in young people,” said Rob MacIsaac, Chair of the Foundation. “This bursary program at Lakehead University affirms our shared belief that every student deserves the opportunity to learn, grow, and contribute to their community.” 

Anchored by this transformative leadership gift, Lakehead is kicking off a fundraising initiative to raise $10 million for scholarships, bursaries, and awards over the next five years. With more than $2.6 million already raised, President Siddall explained that the campaign will not only ease financial burden, but it will unlock potential.

“When we invest in students, we strengthen not only their future, but the future of our communities,” she said.

Lakehead University continues to be recognized as a leader in student support and undergraduate education. Among Ontario universities in the primarily undergraduate category, Lakehead ranked first in student awards, second in scholarships and bursaries, and held its position as Ontario’s top primarily undergraduate university, according to the 2026 Maclean’s University Rankings.

Investments like this help ensure that more students, regardless of financial circumstance, have the opportunity to pursue higher education and reach their full potential. Financial aid also plays a critical role in attracting talent, supporting Indigenous participation, and strengthening communities across Northern Ontario and beyond.

Activist Tamara Bernard is Fighting Alongside Indigenous Women and Girls

Content Warning: This article discusses physical and sexual violence

Tamara Bernard often tells the story of two Indigenous women—Jane Bernard, a 43-year-old wife and mother, and 18-year-old Doreen Hardy, who was just beginning her life.

After a visit to Thunder Bay in 1966, Jane and Doreen needed to return home to Gull Bay, Ontario, so they accepted a ride from a seemingly helpful stranger.

They were never seen again by their loved ones.

"They were murdered in what remains an unsolved double homicide," Tamara says.

 Doreen Hardy (left) and Jane Bernard (right) were murdered in 1966.

Jane Bernard was Tamara's great-grandmother. "Trauma from colonial violence has defined my career," she adds.

Tamara is a Lakehead University PhD Educational Studies student, researcher, and activist engaged in thought-provoking public education work aimed at spurring change.

An Enduring Crisis

Although violence against Indigenous women and girls is commonly perceived as a newer phenomenon, it's longstanding and entrenched.

Despite this reality, most research investigating violence against Indigenous women and girls in Canada concentrates on the period between 1980-2012.

Tamara's family case from 1966 falls outside this narrow and misleading timeline.

Addressing this gap and advocating for recognition that violence has existed since first contact has become a focus of Tamara's work.

Tamara teaches at Lakehead University's Department of Indigenous Learning and at the Seven Generations Education Institute. She also delivers specialized training to municipal, provincial, and Indigenous police services, parole and probation officers, and other organizations.

"Our women were traded as commodities in the Hudson's Bay Company beginning in the 1600s. This has been normalized and has led to the dehumanization and sexualization of Indigenous women and girls.

In fact, Canada was developed through the enslavement of Indigenous women and girls, predominantly in the Ontario and Quebec regions," says Tamara, who is herself a survivor of violence.

"It was the government's agenda to civilize us to death.

This dehumanization, and ideologies that view Indigenous girls as less human and of less value, are predominant in contemporary society's thinking, which is clear when looking at the crisis of violence against Indigenous women and girls."

"We focus on the Highway of Tears in British Columbia when we think about Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, but if we don't act now, Highway 11-17 will become the new Highway of Tears," Tamara says.

'The homicide rate for Indigenous women and girls is over six times higher than that of non-Indigenous women and girls. A staggering 63% of Indigenous women in Canada have also experienced physical or sexual assault in their lifetime.

The National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls also revealed that Indigenous women and girls are 13 times more likely to experience violence compared to non-Indigenous females.

Now they are contending with a dramatic increase in human trafficking.

More than Murdered and Missing

This violence led Tamara to establish Tamara Kwe Indigenous Consulting in 2014 to respond to the missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ (MMIWG2S+) crisis.

Racism and sexism cast a long shadow in Canada. "I don't know a single system that doesn't need to be dismantled and rebuilt to adequately support Indigenous women and girls' needs, whether it's the health care, justice, education, or social services systems," Tamara says.

Tamara is also a member of the Ontario Domestic Violence Death Review Committee, and its Indigenous Subcommittee, where she does death reviews. Her goal is to reduce intimate partner violence by examining and analyzing how systems are responding and identifying any points of missed interventions.

"We are in this space of grief that is hard to overcome," she says, "but I don't want other Indigenous young women or girls to experience what I did when I was growing up.

I'm always asking how we can fill the cups of younger women and children so that they learn about Indigenous women in a positive and strengths-based way and not through deficient ideologies or a dehumanizing culture."

Tamara speaks nationally and internationally, but some of her most important work is speaking to grade 6-8 students. “As a prevention strategy, part of my talks discuss love bombing, grooming, and how to identify a safe adult because girls these ages are at risk of being trafficked.”

One way that Tamara does this is through her Lakehead research.

Her master's thesis—the first of its kind in Canada—used intergenerational storytelling between a grandmother and granddaughter to honour her great-grandmother, Jane Bernard, who is one among MMIWG.

In her study, Tamara and her grandmother shared their stories through letter writing, kitchen table conversations, sharing meals, ceremonies, and reflections.

"My grandmother was given the opportunity to talk about her mother Jane Bernard and to honour her. It healed her in unexpected ways, and it healed me, too.

This is intergenerational healing between grandmother and granddaughter when gathering and sharing knowledge (Indigenous research) is done in a good way (Mino-Bimaadiziwin)."

Her Grandmother's Bundle

In the process of her master's work, Tamara has become a nationally recognized pioneer of Indigenous, story-based research methodologies.

Her PhD research is building upon this work.

It focuses on Anishinaabe women's experiences in post-secondary education, particularly in northwestern Ontario at Lakehead's Thunder Bay campus.

"I want to better understand how institutions like Lakehead can support Indigenous women—not just in accessing education, but in escaping violence, rebuilding stability, and thriving."

Tamara's PhD research entitled "My Grandmother's Bundle" is being completed at Lakehead University through a SSHRC-funded grant (a $105,000 Doctoral Fellowship). It examines violence against Indigenous women as a continuation of colonial systems, while also exploring how Indigenous women navigate pathways to safety, healing, and self-determination. "Grounded in Indigenous methodologies and storywork, I centre lived experience to understand how systems like education, justice, and child welfare shape both vulnerability and resilience," Tamara says. "A key focus of my work is how post-secondary education can serve as a pathway out of violence, even as it exists within colonial structures. Ultimately, my research aims to identify systemic gaps and advance culturally grounded, community-driven responses that support Indigenous women's safety and well-being within their education journey."

Tamara's grandmother earned an education degree at Lakehead, which gave her the autonomy to walk away from domestic abuse in the early 1990s. Tamara is seeing this exit strategy repeat itself today with other Indigenous female learners at Lakehead.

"That's why the title of my PhD research is 'My Grandmother's Bundle,'" Tamara says.

"The stories of my matrilineal line—and those of other Indigenous women I have walked with to exit various forms of violence—have guided me to the focus of my PhD dissertation. That is what I mean when I say colonial violence has defined my career.

I often wonder who I would be if these things hadn't happened to me or my family, or other Indigenous women for that matter.

I encourage everyone to talk about the crisis of violence against Indigenous women and girls in Canada, especially in the Thunder Bay District.

Get educated and become aware because discussing these issues is crucial. It's important to note that making crafts and participating in MMIWG2S+ walks is fine, however, this does not change the ongoing issue."

Tamara will be talking about Jane and Doreen's lives in the public lecture, "Stories That Must be Told." This event commemorating Red Dress Day takes place on Friday, May 1, from 6:00 to 7:30 pm at the MacGregor Recreation Centre in Shuniah. Click here for more information. 

Click here to watch Tamara's powerful TEDx Thunder Bay talk, "We are more than murdered and missing."

You can show your support on Red Dress Day by:

• Wearing red and wearing Red Dress Day pins
• Hanging a red dress in your window or yard
• Taking part in walks, vigils, and rallies in your community
• Donating to the Ontario Native Women's Association or to the Beendigen Indigenous Women's Shelter (Tamara's talk on May 1 is requesting donations to Beendigen)
• Sharing Red Dress Day images on social media with the hashtags:
  #MMIWG2S
  #RedDressDay
  #WhyWeWearRed
  #NoMoreStolenSisters
  #reddressproject

Learn more by reading:

• Reclaiming Power and Place: The Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls
• Amnesty International's Report on Violence Against Indigenous Women and Girls in Canada
• Jaime Black - The REDress Project

Supports for Indigenous Community Members:

• Hope for Wellness Helpline (available 24/7 to all Indigenous people across Canada)
• Ontario Native Women's Association Program and Services Information Line: 1-800-667-0816
• Indian Residential School Survivors Society Counselling Services and Crisis Line: 1-800-721-0066

You can also find more information about this national day of awareness by visiting Amnesty International's Red Dress Day 2026.

Did you know that it takes up to 2700 litres of water to produce a single cotton t-shirt? Save water, save money, and support students by utilizing Wolfie’s Closet on campus!

Wolfie’s Closet is now open, bringing students, faculty, and staff at Lakehead’s Thunder Bay Campus an opportunity to save water, prevent textile waste, and refresh your closet– all free of charge!

Wolfie’s Closet isn't a singular entity or place, but rather a collection of various closets on campus with participating units, including the Office of Sustainability, Pride and Gender Equity Centre, Career Zone, International Student Office, and Ingenuity. Each of these units have made a collective effort to gather gently used clothing that students can take for free.

Clothing can be donated by anyone year round, and regular pop-up clothing swaps provide students with several opportunities to refresh their wardrobe. Out with the old and in with the new (to you)!

Donate to Wolfie’s Closet
Drop off clean clothes at any of these locations during their open hours:

• Office of Sustainability (CASES 2004F)
• LUSU’s Pride and Gender Equity Centre (UC 0019)
• Career Zone (SC 0013)
• International Centre (LI basement)

Accepted Items
Clean and gently used clothing, shoes, outer wear (coats, hats, mitts, boots, etc.)

To Shop
Attend a pop-up or visit one of the following campus closets!

Gwen’s Closet
Location: Pride and Gender Equity Centre (UC 0019)
Hours: Open year-round

• Pop-up events every semester
• Free, gender-affirming clothes available for trans and non-binary students
• Fitting room available
• Looking for a specific item or interested in donating? Fill out the item request form.

Career Closet
Location: Career Zone (SC 0013)
Summer Hours: Tuesday to Thursday, 1 to 4 p.m.
Fall/Winter Hours: Monday to Thursday, 1 to 4 p.m.

• Quarterly pop-up events
• Clothing is always available on a drop-in basis for students needing an interview or professional outfit

International Student Winter Drive
Location: International Centre (LI Basement)

• Happens in winter, around December to February
• Accepted winter gear items: winter jackets, boots, blazers, mitts, hats, etc.

Follow these accounts on social media to stay up to date on the next pop-up location!

Instagram
@lakeheadsustainability
@Lakeheaduingenuity
@ lusu.pridecentral
@gec_lusu
@lakeheadintllife

Facebook
Ingenuity
Lakehead International Student Life
Career Closet Website [https://www.lakeheadu.ca/students/career-development]

If you, or a student you know, needs to urgently access Wolfie’s Closet or have questions, please contact Rachel Portinga, Sustainability Coordinator, at rporting@lakeheadu.ca or fill out this Google Form.