Join us as we raise the National Truth and Reconciliation Flag

Thursday, September 7, 2023

9:30am to 10:30am

Lakehead University Thunder Bay - Agora

Event Agenda

Welcoming Remarks 

National Truth and Reconciliation Flag Raising

Light refreshments and snacks provided after the flag raising.

The Survivors' Flag is an expression of remembrance, meant to honour residential school Survivors and all the lives and communities impacted by the residential school system in Canada. Each element depicted on the flag was carefully selected by Survivors from across Canada, who were consulted in the flag's creation.

Welcome Gathering

Looking for more information about Lakehead University's Indigenous Student Services Centre? Unsure about services provided or how we can assist in making your transition to university seamless? Join us to meet staff who will share information and answer all of your questions.

Select the session that works for you and be sure to register today!

Registrants must use their Lakehead email address to register and join the session.

Session 2

Tues. Aug. 22 - 12 pm to 1 pm

Register in advance for this meeting here.

Session 3

Thurs. Aug. 24 - 5 pm to 6 pm

In person - Gakina Nindinawemaaganag - UC1007

Session 4

Mon. Aug. 28 - 5 pm to 6 pm

In person - Gakina Nindinawemaaganag - UC1007

For more information email coordinator.issc@lakeheadu.ca

Welcome Gathering

Looking for more information about Lakehead University's Indigenous Student Services Centre? Unsure about services provided or how we can assist in making your transition to university seamless? Join us to meet staff who will share information and answer all of your questions.

Select the session that works for you and be sure to register today!

Registrants must use their Lakehead email address to register and join the session.

Session 1

Wed. Aug. 16 - 12 pm to 1 pm

Register in advance for this meeting here.

Session 2

Tues. Aug. 22 - 12 pm to 1 pm

Register in advance for this meeting here.

Session 3

Thurs. Aug. 24 - 5 pm to 6 pm

In person - Gakina Nindinawemaaganag - UC1007

Session 4

Mon. Aug. 28 - 5 pm to 6 pm

In person - Gakina Nindinawemaaganag - UC1007

For more information email coordinator.issc@lakeheadu.ca

Welcome Gathering

Looking for more information about Lakehead University's Indigenous Student Services Centre? Unsure about services provided or how we can assist in making your transition to university seamless? Join us to meet staff who will share information and answer all of your questions.

Select the session that works for you and be sure to register today!

Registrants must use their Lakehead email address to register and join the session.

Session 4

Mon. Aug. 28 - 5 pm to 6 pm

In person - Gakina Nindinawemaaganag - UC1007

For more information email coordinator.issc@lakeheadu.ca

Welcome Gathering

Looking for more information about Lakehead University's Indigenous Student Services Centre? Unsure about services provided or how we can assist in making your transition to university seamless? Join us to meet staff who will share information and answer all of your questions.

Select the session that works for you and be sure to register today!

Registrants must use their Lakehead email address to register and join the session.

Session 3

Thurs. Aug. 24 - 5 pm to 6 pm

In person - Gakina Nindinawemaaganag - UC1007

Session 4

Mon. Aug. 28 - 5 pm to 6 pm

In person - Gakina Nindinawemaaganag - UC1007

For more information email coordinator.issc@lakeheadu.ca

Summer Feast 

Thursday, July 13, 2023 - 11:30 am to 1:00 pm

Agrora Circle 

Enjoy a traditional meal and celebrate the warmth, joy, and energy of the summer season!

Everyone welcome.

Honour & Harvest Wiigwasitig 'Birch Tree'

You are invited to join the Office of Indigenous Initiatives in Honouring and Harvesting the Wiigwasitig 'Birch Tree' on June 8, 2023 from 8:30 AM - 12:00 PM. This will be an opportunity for the Lakehead Community to honour the life of Wiigwasitig 'Birch Tree' in a good way. 

Date: June 8, 2023
Time: 8:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Location: Wiigwasitig Gitigaan 'Birch Tree Garden' (Behind Simcoe Hall, Lakehead University Orillia)

To register, contact the Indigenous Initiatives Coordinator 
E: orillia.ii@lakeheadu.ca | 705-330-4010 ext. 2018

Indigenous Initiatives & Teaching Commons Open House for Staff and Faculty (Orillia Campus)

Learn about the Office of Indigenous Initiatives and Teaching Commons resources by joining us for our virtual open house. Hosted by Mercedes Jacko, Indigenous initiatives Coordinator, and Jerri-Lynn Orr, Indigenous Curriculum Specialist - Teaching Commons.  

Date: Wednesday, May 3, 2023

Time: 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time (US and Canada) 

Register in advance for this meeting:

https://lakeheadu.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJ0tceyhqjItGdMA04IWWy21goBIZOeDSPST  

*After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

If you have any questions, please contact:

Mercedes Jacko (she/they)

Indigenous initiatives Coordinator

E: orillia.ii@lakeheadu.ca

T: 705-330-4010 ext. 2018

You are invited to join us on Red Dress Day | May 5th, 2023 for a sacred fire to honour missing & murdered Indigenous women, girls and two-spirit peoples. Our mothers, our aunties, our daughters, our sisters, our friends, our loved ones, and our ancestors. 

Date: Friday, May 5, 2023

Time: 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Location: Wiigwasitig Gitigaan 'Birch Tree Garden' (behind Simcoe Hall), Lakehead University, 500 University Ave., Orillia, Ontario

Questions? Contact: Indigenous Initiatives Coordinator

E: orillia.ii@lakeheadu.ca |T: 705-330-4010 ext. 2018

Lakehead University's Niijii Indigenous Mentorship Program, currently delivers educational programming and a hands-on experience to thousands of Indigenous youth throughout Northwestern Ontario. The program frequently visits regional school classrooms to conduct a multitude of activities, experiments, and motivational challenges. Niijii matches experienced university students (at the undergrad, graduate and post-graduate levels) with Indigenous high school students from all across the Thunder Bay region to create a positive connection that both inspires and assists the high school student in thinking about post-secondary through learning about science and cultural based activities. 

The purpose of the Niijii Indigenous Mentorship Program is to increase Indigenous elementary and high school students' interest in a wide variety of educational subject areas and to present students with future career opportunities in a safe and supportive environment; while ultimately enabling and encouraging students to come to the university campus to provide further educational opportunities, and to build their confidence in a post-secondary setting. The program works diligently to show these youth that they have a place in post-secondary education by showing them evidence and relevance of Indigenous content in often Eurocentric subjects such as history, science, language, technology, and engineering. Our investment in Indigenous youth is built on trustful partnerships to inspire and facilitate educational opportunities, employment options, and the building of capacity and sustainability within our northern communities. The ultimate mission of the Niijii Indigenous Mentorship Program is to demonstrate to every high school student that post-secondary is attainable, and that there are many different pathways to get there.

• Lakehead University has one of the highest percentages of First Nations, Métis and Inuit students among Canadian Universities.
• Self-identified Indigenous students attending the Thunder Bay campus represent 14% of our total student population.
• As a leader amongst First Nation education attainment, Lakehead University has a proven track record and expertise in providing culturally appropriate programming and initiatives for our students and stakeholders.
• Given our location within Northwestern Ontario, Lakehead University is uniquely positioned to reach out to Indigenous youth not only in Thunder Bay, but in rural and remote communities as well.

If you are interested in volunteering, please contact the Niijii Coordinator at niijii@lakeheadu.ca or the Orillia Indigenous Initiatives Coordinator at orillia.ii@lakeheadu.ca