Barrie STEM Hub

National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women

The hands of two people holding lit candles add their candles to a group of white candles burning in the darkness

Photo Credit: Unsplash/Nick Fewings

A sombre time of the year is approaching for Lakehead University, and for all Canadians.

December 6 marks the anniversary of the murders of 14 young women at Montreal's École Polytechnique in 1989.

Targeted in an act of misogynistic violence, the women ranged in age from 20 to 31.

Among the dead were nursing student Barbara Klucznik-Widajewicz and Maryse Laganière, a polytechnique finance employee. The other 12 victims were engineering students.

This mass femicide, which became known as the "Montreal Massacre," led Canada to declare December 6 the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. It's also known as White Ribbon Day.

The families and friends of the women still mourn their loved ones. We join together with them in solidarity, pledging to never forget the victims of this tragedy.

Every December 6, We Remember:

  • Geneviève Bergeron, Mechanical Engineering Student, aged 21
  • Hélène Colgan, Mechanical Engineering Student, aged 23
  • Nathalie Croteau, Mechanical Engineering Student, aged 23
  • Barbara Daigneault, Mechanical Engineering Student, aged 22
  • Anne-Marie Edward, Chemical Engineering Student, aged 21
  • Maud Haviernick, Metallurgical Engineering Student, aged 29
  • Maryse Laganière, École Polytechnique Finance Employee, aged 25
  • Maryse Leclair, Metallurgical Engineering Student, aged 23
  • Anne-Marie Lemay, Mechanical Engineering Student, aged 22
  • Sonia Pelletier, Mechanical Engineering Student, aged 28
  • Michèle Richard, Metallurgical Engineering Student, aged 21
  • Annie St-Arneault, Mechanical Engineering Student, aged 23
  • Annie Turcotte, Metallurgical Engineering Student, aged 20
  • Barbara Klucznik-Widajewicz, Université de Montréal Nursing Student, aged 31

Engineering Students and Activists Grapple with a Devastating Legacy

"Things have changed for women in engineering," says Sana Sharif, a Lakehead electrical and computer engineering PhD student. "There's more acceptance, even since I began my studies.

But in 2025, we are still fighting because there is still violence. White Ribbon Day is a powerful reminder of the brilliant female engineering students whose lives were stolen. I'm standing on their shoulders."

What happened in 1989 led to debates and soul searching by a country in shock.

"It's ironic that it took this horrific mass casualty to spur Canadians to take serious steps to attempt to stop gender-based violence (GBV)," says Lakehead Health Sciences professor Dr. Helle Møller.

"Although policies and legislation to protect women existed in 1989, research evaluating their effectiveness largely hadn't been done. This was, and continues to be, reflected in the underreporting of gender-based violence."

The commemorative granite plaque on the wall of Montreal's École Polytechnique listing the names of the women who were murdered at the school on December 6, 1989

The commemorative plaque on the southwest wall of École Polytechnique's Main Building (now renamed Polytechnique Montréal), which bears the school's coat of arms and the names of the 14 victims. Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons/Bobanny

In partnership with the Thunder Bay District Health Unit and Southeast Public Health, Dr. Møller and her fellow Lakehead researchers Oriana Rodriguez and Nana Nyarkoa-Oduro have spent the last year developing a framework to prevent gender-based violence.

The newly launched framework provides a foundation for public health units to address the root causes of gender-based violence, and take evidence-based action across different sectors.

"We've come a long way as a society when it comes to gender-based violence, but often we still don't act until it's too late," Dr. Møller says.

"This is evident from the refusal of the federal government, and most provincial governments, to declare GBV an epidemic, despite rising GBV stats in Canada. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has described violence directed at women and girls as 'the world's longest, deadliest pandemic.'"

At Lakehead, many other researchers are involved in crucial work to build a society that is safe for women and girls—including Gender and Women's Studies Professor Dr. Lori Chambers and Social Work Professors Dr. Angela Hovey, Dr. Susan Scott, and Dr. Jodie Murphy.

They are making important strides in understanding and overcoming gender-based violence, as are student researchers like Erika Puiras and Casey Oliver.

A New Generation Committed to Change

"When do revolutions start?" asks Parvinder Kaur. "Where does the spark come from, and how do we keep it alive to keep making our world a better place?"

As the coordinator of the Lakehead University Student Union Gender Equity Centre, ending gender-based violence is one of her goals.

"I am an international student and, according to my parents, I have always questioned inequality. Gender became a focus when I started volunteering as a crisis responder with Shamsaha."

Shamsaha is a non-profit in Bahrain that helps women facing domestic and sexual abuse.

I very quickly learnt that voice is a privilege, and what good would it be if I didn't use mine.

Parvinder now works to make Lakehead's campus a safer space for all students through initiatives like the recent Survivors Solidarity event hosted by Pride and Gender Equity Centre.

"I tried to connect students with the office of Human Rights and Equity on campus along with counselors for sexual and intimate partner violence from Thunder Bay Counselling," Parvinder says.

"Education is key, and so is remembering our history," she adds.

As the anniversary of the Montreal Massacre draws near, Lakehead University would like to pause and reflect on the lives of these young women, and to renew its commitment to ending gender-based violence.

"If we don't remind people of what happened on December 6, 1989, it will be forgotten," Dr. Møller says. "It's now more important than ever to continue fighting."

"There is no place for violence in our classrooms, our institutions, or our society," adds Sana Sharif. "We need women's ideas and their leadership."

Commemorate White Ribbon Day by:

  • Observing a moment of silence at 11:00 am on December 6
  • Wearing a white ribbon
  • Donating to a local women's organization or to the White Ribbon campaign, the world's largest movement of men and boys working to end gender-based violence
  • Participating in the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence between November 25 to December 10
  • Using the social media hashtags #Rememberthe14 and #16Days and following the LUSU Gender Equity Centre Instagram account @gec_lusu

Click here to learn more about the vibrant young women who died on December 6, 1989.

Keywords: 
National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women
Dr. Helle Møller
Parvinder Kaur
Sana Sharif

Lakehead Recognized As One of Canada’s Top Undergraduate Research Universities

Thunder Bay and Orillia, Ont. - Lakehead University has climbed to one of the highest positions among Canada’s undergraduate research universities, according to new rankings released today by Research Infosource Inc.

Lakehead shines in Research Infosource’s list of the Top 50 Research Universities of 2025, moving up one spot to secure its place as the #2 undergraduate research university in Canada. Lakehead continues to rank 35th overall among all Canadian research-intensive universities.

“Our continued success reflects the exceptional talent, capacity, and research leadership at Lakehead University,” said President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Gillian Siddall. “This recognition validates the university’s commitment to advancing discovery that matters, connecting knowledge to community, and preparing students to shape the future as we drive social and economic progress in our regions and beyond.”

Over the past decade, Lakehead has emerged as a national research leader, with significant growth in research funding and infrastructure investment. The university’s total research income continues to grow year-over-year, increasing 4.1 per cent to $28 million from 2023 to 2024. Once again, Lakehead holds the top spot among Canada’s undergraduate universities for not-for-profit research income, attracting $7.2 million in funding.

“Lakehead University is a valued and trusted research partner,” stated Dr. Langis Roy, Vice-President of Research and Innovation. “Working with collaborators in Indigenous communities, social service organizations, hospitals, and other post-secondary institutions, our researchers are making a difference in the communities and regions we serve and driving tangible societal change.”

Lakehead continues to outperform in cross-sector Artificial Intelligence (AI) research collaborations, with nearly 150 international publications on the topic, showing that university researchers are at the forefront of real-world innovation and transformation.

“Lakehead is leading the nation in AI publication growth, demonstrating our commitment to merging our deep expertise in areas such as health, environmental science, mining, and natural resources management, with new cutting-edge technologies,” said Dr. Roy. “We have an interdisciplinary, community-connected approach to advancing the innovation economy.”

“The launch of the Barrie STEM Hub in fall 2026 will broaden our capacity to provide high-tech, hands-on environments for students to participate in groundbreaking research and develop the future-focused skills needed for the jobs of tomorrow,” he added.

For more information about Canada’s Top 50 Research Universities 2025, visit: https://researchinfosource.com/cil/2025/top-50-research-universities

 

Keywords: 
Undergraduate Research University
Research Infosource
Top Research Universities
Top 50 Research Universities 2025

Dr. Rob Stewart Spearheads Efforts to Protect Lake Superior

OVERVIEW:

  • Dr. Rob Stewart leads the Freshwater Coastal Management Research Group and coordinates Remedial Action Plans (RAPs) along the Canadian north shore of Lake Superior
  • Harbours along Lake Superior were heavily polluted as a result of mining and forestry operations and industrial development
  • The work of RAPs, combined with government regulation, has made Lake Superior harbours safe for swimming and a source of drinking water
  • Dr. Stewart, in collaboration with RAPs, is investigating emerging global threats to the health of Lake Superior
  • Lakehead researchers are also working with Indigenous communities with the goal of restoring Lake Nipigon's ecosystem

"The best way to experience the magnificence of Lake Superior is to paddle to the last chain of islands before you hit open water," says Dr. Rob Stewart.

Dr. Rob Stewart on a lakeshore wearing outdoor gear and a winter toque

He's an associate professor of geography & the environment who feels most at home on the lake.

"It's amazing to be 10 km offshore in a kayak and have an otter pop up and hiss at you."

His career has been devoted to working with local communities to protect the watersheds and coastal environments of the Lake Superior Basin.

"Lake Superior is the headwater of all the Great Lakes, and its health determines the future of all the Great Lakes," he explains.

Dr. Stewart leads Lakehead's Freshwater Coastal Management Research Group and coordinates Remedial Action Plans (RAPs) along the Canadian north shore of Lake Superior.

"We identify environmental problems, monitor them, and then work on lake restoration," he says.

Through the determination of communities and researchers, there's been great success in removing pollutants from Lake Superior.

"When I was growing up, places like Thunder Bay, Nipigon, and Red Rock had working harbours.

There was foam, oil, and tree bark floating on the water because industries like pulp mills and mines would discharge effluents directly into the lake.

Today, you can swim in these harbours and use them for drinking water because of intense government regulation and the clean-up efforts of RAP groups."

Community members, and a videographer, stand in a circle on a Jackfish Bay beach

Community members belonging to the Jackfish Bay Area of Concern RAP discuss next steps to deal with legacy contaminants discharged into Lake Superior by the Terrace Bay Pulp and Paper Mill. "Remedial Action Plan groups try to reduce conflict between communities and governments over problems that can't be immediately resolved," Dr. Stewart says.

Now, Lake Superior RAPs are equally concerned with emerging threats to the lake that don't have simple solutions and that require cooperation between countries.

"We're investigating how to deal with invasive species, airborne mercury travelling from China and India, and climate change—Lake Superior is the fastest warming Great Lake."

Uncovering the Story of Lake Nipigon

Dr. Stewart's research extends beyond Lake Superior.

He's excited to be working with Indigenous communities in the Lake Nipigon area to trace the history of this freshwater lake and how it's changed over the past 200 years.

"Lake Nipigon was intensely developed in the 1940s. Large forestry and mining operations were set up near the lake's shoreline.

The provincial government also built a hydroelectric dam that diverted massive amounts of water from the Arctic watershed into Lake Nipigon. This changed the lake's ecosystem dramatically."

Members of the Nipigon Guardians Team aboard the Velma Linda boat

Above, the Nipigon Guardians Team (researchers from Lakehead, York University, and Biinjitiwaabik Zaaging Anishinaabek First Nation) collect sediment core samples. "We want to empower Indigenous communities with data to verify what they've been saying all along about the negative effects of hydro dams on Lake Nipigon."

The high levels of silt and nutrients in the Arctic Watershed were too much for a freshwater body like Lake Nipigon to absorb.

"The silt covered up fish spawning grounds, and the overabundance of nutrients created toxic algae blooms. The dam also caused erosion and raised the level of the lake, which released more sediment and nutrients."

Until recently, Indigenous people were forced to stand by and see their lake degraded because they had no say over how it was developed.

"Now, First Nations want the full story of the lake's changes backed up with scientific data," Dr. Stewart says. "Our 'Lake Nipigon Cumulative Impacts Partnership' will help provide this information."

A back view of Dr. Rob Stewart wearing an orange safety jacket, jeans, and rubber boots stands in an excavated area of land near the north shore of Lake Superior

Dr. Stewart's Freshwater Coastal Management Research Group has built landscape features to filter stormwater before it reaches Lake Superior. They've also restored riverbanks and coastal habitats for fish and wildlife. For instance, constructing a new channel for fish to swim through (see above).

His research team is doing this by tracking the movement of fish in the lake and by taking sediment samples from the lake floor.

"We'll analyze the sediment to determine the nutrients, plants, aquatic life, and toxins present in Lake Nipigon at different time periods."

After all the evidence is gathered, communities will pinpoint areas of Lake Nipigon where the environment has been adversely affected by development and by pollution, such as arsenic contamination from mills. Then, they'll advocate to have them restored.

"They want to build healthy communities with clean water and land for their youth," Dr. Stewart says.

Save Our Remarkable Lakes

A profile view of Dr. Rob Stewart outside with a cliff in the background

Current projects being led by North Shore of Lake Superior RAPs include shoreline naturalization and monitoring beaches closed because of high E.coli levels. "We also watch for new technology that may help with future lake restoration efforts," Dr. Stewart says.

He encourages local citizens to get involved in sustaining our region's waterways by joining an environmental community group or by becoming a member of one of the north shore's Remedial Action Plan groups.

"The number-one thing, though, is to connect with our lakes in your own way. Go for a canoe ride with a friend, take your kids fishing, or walk along one of the beaches."

Dr. Stewart's Lake Nipigon Cumulative Impacts Partnership research is funded by an NSERC Alliance Grant, the Indigenous Guardians Network, the First Nations Environmental Contaminants Program (Health Canada), and by Biinjitiwaabik Zaaging Anishinaabek. He has received funding for his Lake Superior research initiatives from the Great Lakes Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative, which is part of the Government of Canada's Freshwater Action Plan.

Keywords: 
Dr. Robert Stewart
Lake Superior
Lake Nipigon
Remedial Action Plans

Student Spotlight: The Sky’s the Limit for Engineer Sana Sharif

A Natural Problem Solver

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

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

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

Journeying from Pakistan to Lakehead

Sana Sharif sits in a chair in front of a large window

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

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

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

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

Cutting-Edge Wireless Technology Research

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

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

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

Sana Sharif accepts a $200 cheque from 2025 IEEE CSYPC officials for winning third place

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mentoring and Inclusion for the Win

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

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

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

Dr. Waled Ejaz, Dr. Andrew Dean, Sana Sharif holding her award certificate, and Dr. Gillian Siddall stand beside each other

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

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

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

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

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

The Lakehead community is equally thankful to Sana.

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

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

Keywords: 
Sana Sharif
electrical and computer engineering
Barrie STEM Hub
Lakehead Luminary Award

Dr. Rob Stewart Spearheads Efforts to Protect Lake Superior

OVERVIEW:

  • Dr. Rob Stewart leads the Freshwater Coastal Management Research Group and coordinates Remedial Action Plans (RAPs) along the Canadian north shore of Lake Superior
  • Harbours along Lake Superior were heavily polluted as a result of mining and forestry operations and industrial development
  • The work of RAPs, combined with government regulation, has made Lake Superior harbours safe for swimming and a source of drinking water
  • Dr. Stewart, in collaboration with RAPs, is investigating emerging global threats to the health of Lake Superior
  • Lakehead researchers are also working with Indigenous communities with the goal of restoring Lake Nipigon's ecosystem

Communities are Coming Together to Clean Up Our Freshwater Lakes

"The best way to experience the magnificence of Lake Superior is to paddle to the last chain of islands before you hit open water," Dr. Rob Stewart says.

He's an associate professor of geography & the environment who feels most at home on the lake.

"It's amazing to be 10 km offshore in a kayak and have an otter pop up and hiss at you."

His career has been devoted to working with local communities to protect the watersheds and coastal environments of the Lake Superior Basin.

"Lake Superior is the headwater of all the Great Lakes, and its health determines the future of all the Great Lakes," he explains.

Dr. Stewart leads Lakehead's Freshwater Coastal Management Research Group and coordinates Remedial Action Plans (RAPs) along the Canadian north shore of Lake Superior.

"We identify environmental problems, monitor them, and then work on lake restoration," he says.

Through the determination of communities and researchers, there's been great success in removing pollutants from Lake Superior.

"When I was growing up, places like Thunder Bay, Nipigon, and Red Rock had working harbours. There was foam, oil, and tree bark floating on the water because industries like pulp mills and mines would discharge effluents directly into the lake.

Today, you can swim in these harbours and use them for drinking water because of intense government regulation and the clean-up efforts of RAP groups."

Now, Lake Superior RAPs are equally concerned with emerging threats to the lake that don't have simple solutions and that require cooperation between countries.

"We're investigating how to deal with invasive species, airborne mercury travelling from China and India, and climate change—Lake Superior is the fastest warming Great Lake."

Uncovering the Story of Lake Nipigon

Dr. Stewart's research extends beyond Lake Superior.

He's excited to be working with Indigenous communities in the Lake Nipigon area to trace the history of this freshwater lake and how it's changed over the past 200 years.

"Lake Nipigon was intensely developed in the 1940s. Large forestry and mining operations were set up near the lake's shoreline.

The provincial government also built a hydroelectric dam that diverted massive amounts of water from the Arctic watershed into Lake Nipigon. This changed the lake's ecosystem dramatically."

The high levels of silt and nutrients in the Arctic Watershed were too much for a freshwater body like Lake Nipigon to absorb.

"The silt covered up fish spawning grounds, and the overabundance of nutrients created toxic algae blooms. The dam also caused erosion and raised the level of the lake, which released more sediment and nutrients."

Until recently, Indigenous people were forced to stand by and see their lake degraded because they had no say over how it was developed.

"Now, First Nations want the full story of the lake's changes backed up with scientific data," Dr. Stewart says. "Our 'Lake Nipigon Cumulative Impacts Partnership' will help provide this information."

His research team is doing this by tracking the movement of fish in the lake and by taking sediment samples from the lake floor.

"We'll analyze the sediment to determine the nutrients, plants, aquatic life, and toxins present in Lake Nipigon at different time periods."

After all the evidence is gathered, communities will pinpoint areas of Lake Nipigon where the environment has been adversely affected by development and by pollution, such as arsenic contamination from mills. Then, they'll advocate to have them restored.

"They want to build healthy communities with clean water and land for their youth," Dr. Stewart says.

Save Our Remarkable Lakes

He encourages local citizens to get involved in sustaining our region's waterways by joining an environmental community group or by becoming a member of one of the north shore's Remedial Action Plan groups.

"The number-one thing, though, is to connect with our lakes in your own way. Go for a canoe ride with a friend, take your kids fishing, or walk along one of the beaches."

Dr. Stewart's Lake Nipigon Cumulative Impacts Partnership research is funded by an NSERC Alliance Grant, the Indigenous Guardians Network, the First Nations Environmental Contaminants Program (Health Canada), and by Biinjitiwaabik Zaaging Anishinaabek. He has received funding for his Lake Superior research initiatives from the Great Lakes Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative, which is part of the Government of Canada's Freshwater Action Plan.

Keywords: 
Dr. Rob Stewart
Lake Superior
Lake Nipigon
Remedial Action Plans

Alumni Spotlight: Chief Michele Solomon is an Inspiring Changemaker

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

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

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

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

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

A Winding Journey

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

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

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


Chief Michele Solomon wafts smoke over her head with her hand during a smudging ceremony


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

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

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

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

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

A Caring Political Leader

Chief Michele Solomon embraces a fellow community member at the Lakehead presidential installation ceremony of Dr. Gillian Siddall at Anemki Wajiw on Fort William First Nation


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

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

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

Chief Michele Solomon sits at her desk in her Fort William First Nation office

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

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

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

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

Carving Her Own Path

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

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

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

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

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

In 2025, things came full circle.

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

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

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

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

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

Keywords: 
Chief Michele Solomon
Fort WIlliam First Nation
2025 Convocation

CIHR & SSHRC Undergraduate Student Research Awards

CIHR & SSHRC Undergraduate Student Research Awards (USRA) are meant to nurture your interest and fully develop your potential for a research career in health or social sciences and humanities. These awards are also meant to encourage you to undertake graduate studies by providing research work experience that complements your studies in an academic setting.

At the present time, CIHR and SSHRC USRAs are exclusively for student researchers who self-identify as Black.

Lakehead Leader Winner Kylee Henson Takes it to the Mat

This Judo Athlete and Kinesiology Student Strengthens Communities

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

Kylee Henson Stands Outside the University Centre on Lakehead's Thunder Bay Campus

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

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

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

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

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

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

A Black Belt with a Keen Research Mind

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

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

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

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

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

Kylee Henson demonstrates judo moves to children during a judo class

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

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

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

Kylee Henson, wearing a judo gi, stands between her father and her uncle in a judo studio

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

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

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

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

Mentoring the Next Generation

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

Kylee Henson stands with members of Lakehead's women's varsity wrestling team at an OUA event

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

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

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

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

Self-Defence Skills Nurture Self-Confidence

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

Kylee Henson teaches a self-defence class to Lakehead students at a gym on campus

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

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

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

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

Keywords: 
Kylee Henson
Lakehead Leader Award
Kinesiology

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Darla Oja Left a Distinguished Military Career to Return to School

Darla OjaThis Lakehead Student’s Commitment to Serve Others Remains Strong

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

From Command to the Classroom

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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