National Indigenous Peoples Day offers us a moment to celebrate and recognize our accomplishments. This is also a time when reflection is welcomed in order to identify the challenges that we still face.

Laurentian is committed to the principles of truth and reconciliation. Our new strategic plan acknowledges this in many ways. One of our five key strengths is Indigeneity and our commitment to the principles established by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC). Outcomes include a commitment to enhance relationships with Indigenous communities, to implementing the calls to action from the TRC, to undertaking research that enhances mino-bimaadiziwin and to offer Anishinaabemowin language training to faculty, staff and students.

Laurentian was one of the first universities in Canada to create a senior academic position dedicated to Indigenous issues. This ongoing commitment to capacity building has resulted in the hiring of 25 Indigenous faculty members. We are also proud that our student population represents approximately 1100 self-identifying Indigenous learners.

Laurentian is a leader in Indigenous curriculum and programming. We house a unique community based master’s program in Indigenous Relations. Also, anyone who graduates with a BA must have completed at least six credits in courses with predominantly indigenous content.

Today also marks exactly one year since Laurentian opened the Indigenous Sharing and Learning Centre.  A place that is home to Indigenous and non-Indigenous students alike. It is a culturally relevant space that is constructed in a traditional Anishinabe wigwam design. It is positioned at the front door of our university and is a reminder of the traditional lands that our institution is located on.

The McEwen School of Architecture is proudly led by Dr. David Fortin, who is the first Indigenous director of an architecture school in Canada. His work is currently prominently displayed at the Vienna Bienniale in Architecture.  It is important to note that within a few years, McEwen grads will double the number of indigenous architects in Canada.

Laurentian’s Maamwizing Research Institute is dedicated to creating research partnerships with Indigenous communities. This institute is based on the principles of respect and reciprocity and is guided by Indigenous faculty. Maamwizing will be hosting its second conference in November 2018 with the theme “Pursuing Research in a Good Way” as its foundation.

It is critical that National Indigenous Day becomes a platform where we look forward together, speak our truths and listen honestly. This is the only way to make critical change for all of our peoples.

This fall 17-year-old Julia Jodouin of St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School will be making history as the second and youngest female athlete in Ontario University Athletics’ (OUA) history to play for a men’s varsity baseball team. Julia will be working towards a Bachelor of Science in Nursing starting this September. She joins the team as a pitcher. 

“One of the main reasons I accepted the offer at Laurentian was so that I could continue to play ball,” Jodouin said. “I am excited to begin my journey at Laurentian pursuing two things I love – nursing and baseball. September can’t come soon enough!”

Jodouin’s athletic success landed her a spot on the Sudbury Shamrocks peewee travelling team. She then joined the Team Ontario 16U girls’ team for two seasons. She played a summer of both softball and hardball with the Waterloo Ghosts Gold 16U fastpitch team, making it all the way to Nationals. She was named Most Valuable Player (MVP) and All-Star 1st Base Player with Team Ontario 21U Women’s team.

Jodouin continues to highlight her exemplary skills at all levels earning as spot on the Canadian Women’s National team.  Last summer she participated in a development series playing for Canada against Team USA.

“Jodouin is an excellent player. Having someone of that calibre on the team will raise the bar for each and every player,” said Brodie Jeffery, coach of the men’s baseball team at Laurentian. “When starting a baseball program from the ground up, you need good players to build a solid foundation. Julia not only brings the necessary talent, but also steadfast determination and commitment to the sport.”

Today graduate students from across Ontario will be attending a learning opportunity like no other. From June 11-15, 2018, Laurentian University will host the inaugural summer school of Ontario’s Indigenous Mentorship Network (IMN), Ontario’s first Indigenous-led health research training network.

This summer school is being offered to 25 graduate students who are working on community-based Indigenous health research projects, and emphasis has been placed on students studying, or planning to work, in Northern contexts.

IMN-Ontario values the importance of Indigenous-led and collaborative scholarship and has prioritized activities that will strengthen and promote opportunities for learning with and from the community.

The Summer School brings together students, practitioners, Indigenous knowledge holders and researchers to strengthen the skills, capabilities, and knowledges needed do meaningful and respectful research with Indigenous communities.

This school seeks to enhance Indigenous presence and sense of belonging in Indigenous research by incorporating Indigenous knowledge, traditional teachings and fostering community engagement. The summer school will act as a platform upon which students can build collaborative networks integral for their own research and professional development.  

About the IMN

IMN-Ontario is a five-year health training program, funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) to provide Indigenous scholars and trainees with high quality mentorship, training, and opportunities to participate in Indigenous health research. 

IMN-Ontario is an interdisciplinary collaboration involving 13 research institutions in Ontario, including the province’s leading Indigenous health scholars and research centres. IMN-Ontario is governed by a sub-regional structure that includes Northern Ontario, Central Ontario and Eastern Ontario. 

IMN-Ontario is guided by a Community Advisory and Elders Council, who support the program in its mission to serve community research needs and capacities.

For more information on the program: https://www.facebook.com/OntarioIMN/ | http://imnp.uwo.ca/.