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Maamwizing Indigenous Research Institute at Laurentian University receives $430, 832 in SSHRC funding

Maamwizing Indigenous Research Institute at Laurentian University receives $430, 832 in SSHRC funding

Funding will support Maamwizing: A hub for Indigenous community-driven research.

(June 21, 2022) - The Maamwizing Indigenous Research Institute (MIRI) at Laurentian University has received $430,832 in funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council’s (SSHRC) Race, Gender and Diversity Initiative. This grant was awarded to Dr. Joey-Lynn Wabie, with funds to support a three-year project, titled: Maamwizing: a hub for Indigenous community-driven research.  

This exciting news is celebrated today on National Indigenous Peoples Day. This day recognizes and celebrates Indigenous cultures, communities and peoples and offers the opportunity to reflect and commit to principles of Truth and Reconciliation. Laurentian is Canada’s only university with a tricultural mandate, offering a post-secondary experience in English and French with a comprehensive approach to Indigenous education. These are principles that Laurentian takes pride in, and MIRI complements by providing opportunities for, and with, Indigenous students to learn about authentic relationships and research with communities.  

Maamwizing: a hub for Indigenous community-driven research will be led by Dr. Wabie and two local Anishinaabe community partners: Akinomooshin Inc., & White Buffalo Road Healing Lodge Inc. These organizations are dedicated to Indigenous resurgence, or the reconnecting of Indigenous peoples with Indigenous knowledges, governance, languages, ceremonies, relationships, and lands at the grassroots level, thereby addressing the systems and impacts of racism and colonialism as they impact Indigenous peoples. Drs. Darrel Manitowabi, Elizabeth Carlson-Manathara, and Kevin Fitzmaurice are also integral to the success of the grant as co-applicants.

Dr. Joey-Lynn Wabie, Algonquin Anicinabe ikwe from Mahingan Sagahigan (Wolf Lake) First Nation, incoming Director within Laurentian’s School of Indigenous Relations and Acting Director of MIRI celebrates this funding announcement: “In fostering a research space that is driven by community partners and supported by the MIRI research team, our objective is to center community and culturally based knowledge and perspectives towards the co-creation of evidence based research findings that best responds to specific programming and service delivery needs. This can further inform the larger policy questions relating to effective and equitable community and culturally based programming for Indigenous youth in the north and within an overall framework of Indigenous self-determination and decolonization.”

Dr. Susan Manitowabi, Interim Associate Vice-President, Office of Academic and Indigenous programs shares Dr. Wabie’s enthusiasm: “This research is an expression of Indigenous self-determination in that it is being proposed by, for, and with Indigenous people. The application of the 7 Pointed Star Hub Model, as a uniquely MIRI approach to community-driven research will provide an Anishnaabe, culturally based and supportive method for community engagement, planning, and research sharing practices; which are grounded in the principles of the Seven Grandfather Teachings: Respect, Bravery, Honesty, Humility, Love, Wisdom, and Truth.” 

Vince Pawis Sr., founder and Executive Director, White Buffalo Road Healing Lodge Inc. added that he and his team are grateful to be a part of this critical project: “Having worked in the community with Indigenous youth and adults since our inception in 2005, this is a great opportunity to research the work of grassroot Indigenous agencies to help support Indigenous healing.”

“Miigwechiwendam” is the sentiment of Julia Pegahmagabow, founding eniigaanizid for Akinoomoshin Inc. “With the support of this partnership and grant, we will be able to re-search our pathway to anishinaabe kendaaswin and come to understand the relationship to anishinaabe pedagogies and how to apply them. We have the support of Maamwizing to find the threads that our ancestors were able to leave for us and weave them into a strong foundation of knowing and knowledge transmission for our children, youth, and communities.”

In November, Laurentian University and MIRI look forward to hosting Maamwizing 2022: Land and Language, a conference that will focus on the sharing of stories and wise practices to ensure the health and wellness of both land and language is cared for. This will include broad interpretations and wider connections between land and language by grassroots community voices, alongside Indigenous scholars and non-Indigenous people who work in allyship with them. Confirmed keynote speakers include Dr. Niigaanwewidan Sinclair (University of Manitoba), Dr. Jennifer Walker (McMaster University), and Joseph Pitawanakwat (Creator’s Garden). Dr. Celeste Pedri-Spade (Queen’s University), inaugural Director of MIRI from 2016 to 2019, will provide an opening address. 

 

About White Buffalo Road Healing Lodge Inc.:
White Buffalo Road Healing Lodge Inc. is a non for profit organization incorporated in 2005, located in Shawanaga First Nation, approximately 30 kilometres north of Parry Sound. White Buffalo Road Healing Lodge Inc. is the vision of Vince Pawis Sr., the founder and current Executive Director. The Healing Lodge provides traditional Aboriginal youth-at-risk programs, Indigenous Elder Assisted Parole Circle Hearings and currently provides on a contractual basis Aboriginal traditional female and male Native Inmate Liaison Officer Services in Thunder Bay, Sudbury, North Bay, Orillia, Brampton and Lindsey, Ontario correctional facilities.

White Buffalo Road Healing Lodge Inc. works with the Ministry of Children and Youth Services, Safety, Licensing Appeals and Standards Tribunals Ontario (SLATSO) and the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services.

About Akinomooshin Inc.:
Akinoomoshin Inc. is a grassroots not-for-profit organization working to center anishinaabe kendaaswin in the daily lives of anishinaabek. Our dream is to offer daily anishinaabemowin immersion and aki (earth) learning for children and youth, their families and communities through our teaching lodge, akinoomoshin wigwam. 

Akinoomoshin Inc. began to meet and organize in 2016 with kitchen table visits and discussions on the challenges of the systems for our children and youth. Incorporated in 2017, Akinoomoshin Inc. is situated in the community of Atikameksheng Anishnawbek.

Akinoomoshin Inc. has working relationships with Science North, the Sudbury Catholic District School Board, and Atikameksheng Anishnawbek for cultural and language-related sharing and learning. Akinoomoshin Inc. has been granted funding by the Ontario Arts Council, Niigaan Gdizhaami Fund, and Canadian Heritage to carry out language and earth-learning focused activities, including Maamwizing and the RDGI funding to move our work forward.
 

Gifts that Grow

Gifts that Grow

Spring convocation graduates at Laurentian helping tackle climate change.

(June 9, 2022) - Graduates at Laurentian University’s Spring convocation were thrilled to receive a pine tree seedling to mark their place in the world and create a memory of their special day. Laurentian’s Environmental Sustainability committee distributed the beautiful trees donated by Vale, as well as packages of wildflower seeds and QR code links to access selected videos produced by Laurentian describing the University’s globally-recognized research. There were smiles all around!

The trees that graduates took home to plant will serve as a lasting reminder of their momentous day, which they will be able to share with loved ones for the next 70 years (lifespan of the tree). Although the trees at convocation have a sentimental purpose, they also serve as critical tools in tackling climate change. Each tree planted will capture carbon, reduce soil erosion, and help in the reduction of stormwater runoff, resulting in cleaner and healthier water. These efforts represent the University's ongoing commitment to ecosystem restoration, led by students and faculty members. 

Laurentian University alumni are proud to be a part of a globally known regreening story and the UN Decade of Restoration's global initiatives. These efforts have resulted in significant land reclamation, better air quality, and cleaner water. Upcoming UN Decade of Ecosystem Restoration initiatives include the development of a carbon-offset interpretive forest next to the Fraser Auditorium that will provide future graduates, family, and friends with an area to experience Laurentian’s environmental science stories.
 

Laurentian Lunars win international engineering competition

Laurentian Lunars win international engineering competition

Mechanical Engineering Spring 2022 graduates defeat students from across the globe at “Over the Dusty Moon Challenge.”

(June 9, 2022) - June 3rd 2022 officially marks a day of celebration for engineers at Laurentian University.

A team of eight Mechanical Engineering and mechatronics Spring 2022 graduates, called the “Laurentian Lunars”, claimed victory in the inaugural Over the Dusty Moon Challenge, hosted by the Colorado School of Mines. The competition found six finalist teams from the United States, Germany, Poland, Australia, and of course, Canada (the Lunars), immerse themselves in the challenge of producing a prototype that could effectively transport regolith (or in other words sand or fine aggregate) in outer space. 

Participants from Laurentian included Ethan Murphy, Adam Farrow, Alexander MacKenzie, Christian (Quade) Howald, Goran Hinic, Kevan Sullivan, Kyle Wulle and Reid Ludgate. All made the difficult decision to not attend their in-person convocation ceremony on campus last week, to instead compete on the international stage. Dr. Markus Timusk and Greg Lakanen were faculty supervisors who supported the development of this project that began for these recent graduates, approximately nine months ago. 

“The challenge was a part of our capstone design project - a requirement for Mechanical Engineering students,” said competitor Ethan Murphy. “It’s been an incredible opportunity. We’ve all been really grateful for this experience and we also got a lot of enjoyment out of doing it.”

Added competitor Adam Farrow: “Meeting other engineering students and graduates from all around the world was really amazing. Connecting and sharing ideas was such a learning experience, and time was well spent speaking with the judges, including representatives from NASA, Lockheed Martin Space, and ICON.” 

“It’s amazing what this team of graduates have accomplished,” said Dr. Markus Timusk, Mechanical Engineering professor at Laurentian. “This challenge found the Lunars taking technology used for terrestrial mining and bringing it to the context of outer space. We are incredibly proud of our students' outstanding performance in this prestigious international engineering competition.” 

“It’s no secret that Sudbury’s a mining hub, and I think that the focus [that] Laurentian puts on their engineering programs, specifically in mining, sets them apart from other institutions….Laurentian has a pretty well established history of succeeding in competitions like this, and that’s not only because of where we’re from, but also because of the support that our professors are able to provide,” said Murphy. Added Farrow: “Our entire four years [of study] at Laurentian, knowledge-wise and academically, our professors have really helped us find success.” 

For faculty at Laurentian, it was unanimously attributed that it was the dedication and tireless efforts of the Lunars that brought them home this victory. 

Notably, the Lunars expressed their gratitude for the many supporters who helped make participating in this competition a reality. Financial sponsors included ITW Devcon, Studio Terra, Keith Pennells, CA, and Technica Mining. Other donors included Duplicators, Part Source Sudbury, and Lalonde Property Management. Industry advisors who positively contributed to the Lunars included Douglas Morrison, President and CEO of the Centre for Excellence in Mining (CEMI), and world class space expert, Dale Boucher. 

Mario Grossi, President and CEO of Technica Mining, expressed his enthusiasm for this competition win: “Technica Mining was honored to support the Laurentian Lunars at the Over the Dusty Moon Challenge. This team of young engineers should be very proud of their achievements that demonstrate exceptional innovation at an international level. It is no surprise that Laurentian has helped shape such brilliant engineering students with its rich and accomplished School of Engineering pedigree. I encourage every business who has benefited from Laurentian’s Engineering and Computer Science programs to re-invest into our future and support Laurentian.” 

Engineering at Laurentian is built on a solid reputation of grit, innovation and strong competitive edge. This is just the latest entry in a long list of achievements:

  • 2021 Canadian Mining Games – 2nd Place
  • 2017 Intercollegiate Mines Emergency Response Development (MERD) competition in Colorado
  • 2016 Ontario Engineering Competition – Senior Design Category and Consulting Category (winners)
  • 2015 Canadian Engineering Competition – Junior and Senior Design Category (winners)
  • 2015 Ontario Engineering Competition – Junior Design Category (winners)
  • 2014 Ontario Engineering Competition – Senior Design Category (winners)
  • 2013 Baja Competition
  • Canadian Mining Games – 2012 / 2009 / 2005 / 2004 / 2002 / 2000 / 1999 / 1994 (winners)
  • 2012 NASA Robotic Mining Competition
  • 2011 NASA Robotic Mining Competition (winners)
  • 2010 Canadian Engineering Competition – Senior Design Category (winners)
  • 2010 Ontario Engineering Competition – Senior Design Category (winners

When it comes to the culmination of the Over the Dusty Moon challenge, a few representatives from Laurentian remain in Colorado. These representatives will present their “out of this world” design at the Space Resources Roundtable, on Thursday, June 9th, 2022. 
 

Ministry of Health provides $800,884 to Laurentian University to develop an Accelerated Critical Care Nursing educational program in partnership with Health Sciences North.

Ministry of Health provides $800,884 to Laurentian University to develop an Accelerated Critical Care Nursing educational program in partnership with Health Sciences North.

Funding will support the ongoing development of Northern Ontario critical care nursing workforce.

(May 26, 2022) - Laurentian University, in partnership with Health Sciences North (HSN), has obtained one-time funding of up to $800,884 from the Ministry of Health to support the delivery of the Accelerated Critical Care Nursing Program. Funding of up to $59,418 in the 2021-2022 year and up to $741, 466 in the 2022-2023 year, is expected. The University’s nursing and sciences infirmières programs have benefited from long term affiliations with HSN. For over 50 years, nursing students from both linguistic groups have successfully completed clinical placements at HSN. The two institutions have also consistently collaborated in research ventures that support the health of the Northern Ontario community. 

The hospital’s Critical Care program, along with many other areas, has been impacted by the pandemic and highlighted the need for a robust, sustainable nursing workforce. Critical care along with other nursing care areas across Northern Ontario are expecting additional vacancies as a significant percentage of the workforce will be eligible to retire over the next four years.

“This funding announcement that supports the Accelerated Critical Care Nursing Program will contribute substantially to bridging the theory to practice gap, will help further develop the critical care nursing workforce in Northern Ontario, as well as support retaining baccalaureate trained nurses in Sudbury. We look forward to continuing to foster an excellent working relationship with HSN and are thrilled that this funding will benefit health care students and workers, alongside all those who seek medical care in the North.”  - Dr. Céline Larivière, Dean of the Faculty of Education and Health, Laurentian University. 

“We are thrilled to continue our partnership with Laurentian University, and grateful for this critical funding. This collaborative program will help us continue to accept patients and deliver critical services for our Northeastern community members here in Sudbury and across Northern Ontario.” - Julie Trpkovski, Vice President, Medicine and Chief Nursing Executive, Health Sciences North.

Information about the program can be found on Laurentian’s website, here. The program is slated to begin this Spring / Summer 2022.

About Laurentian University:
Laurentian University serves over 8,000 students on its campus in Sudbury, Ontario, and is one of two bilingual universities in the province of Ontario. Committed to its bilingual, tri-cultural mandate, Laurentian University offers an outstanding university experience in English and French with a comprehensive approach to Indigenous education. 

About Health Sciences North: 
Health Sciences North is the regional hospital for Northeastern Ontario, based in Greater Sudbury and a leading Canadian academic health sciences centre. Health Sciences North’s purpose is to provide high quality health services, support learning and generate research that improves health outcomes for the people of Northeastern Ontario. 
 

Cambrian College, College Boreal and Laurentian University Launch Red Dress Campaign

Cambrian College, College Boreal and Laurentian University Launch Red Dress Campaign

(Sudbury, May 5, 2022) Today is National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.

It is also known as Red Dress Day.  Since 2011, people have been hanging red dresses in public places to remember missing and murdered Indigenous females in Canada, who are estimated to number in the thousands.

To honour the occasion, Cambrian College, College Boreal, and Laurentian University are launching a red dress campaign.

All three institutions will be accepting donations of red dresses on their individual campuses.

“The hanging of the red dresses reminds us to pause, reflect, grieve and commit to working together to end the ongoing violence toward Indigenous women and girls and 2SLLGBTQQIA to ensure a safer world for all,” says Dr. Susan Manitowabi, Laurentian’s Interim Associate Vice-President in the Office of Academic and Indigenous Programs.

The red dress was chosen for a variety of reasons. According to Indigenous culture, red is the only colour spirits can see, and is a way of calling the spirits of missing and murdered women and girls back to their loved ones. The colour red also symbolizes many things, such as blood, anger, love and the strength of women. It is also eye-catching and hard to ignore.

“As an Indigenous person, I believe this initiative is very important for everyone,” says Richard Meilleur, an elder at College Boreal. “In order to heal, this type of injustice has to stop and more awareness efforts need to be made so we can move forward and hopefully prevent more trauma. J’encourage tous les gens de participer, de s’informer, d’en apprendre, et de faire ce qu’on peut pour aider les survivants et les familles affectées.”

All the red dresses donated will be used to create pathways on each campus, to draw attention to murdered and missing indigenous women and girls in Canada. This event is being held Tuesday, February 14, 2023, during the academic year, to encourage student and employee participation. 

“This important collaboration between all three campuses will bring awareness to the memory of those gone missing and the importance of reducing and eliminating violence against women,” adds Ron Sarazin, Director of the Wabnode Centre for Indigenous Services at Cambrian College. “We must learn from our past and move forward to create a positive safe future for our community.”

Donations of red dresses can be made at the following locations on campus:

Student General Association elect 2022-2023 leadership

Student General Association elect 2022-2023 leadership

Avery Morin voted President of student association.

(May 3, 2022) - Recently, the Student General Association (SGA-AGÉ) held its annual elections for incoming 2022-2023 leadership. Avery Morin, who begins her 3rd year in Behavioural Neuroscience and Concurrent Education this Fall, is the incoming SGA-AGÉ President. She and other elected student leaders will begin their new roles in June:

  • Ana Tremblay as Vice President Education: 4th year History student, minoring in Religious Studies
  • Emma Lelievre as Vice President Finance: 4th year Sports Administration student
  • Olivia Broomer as Vice President Student Life: 4th year Indigenous Social Work student

Since the SGA-AGÉ’s inception in 1960, they have advocated for their members at various administrative and government levels. In addition to their political work by and for students, they organize activities and events that help foster a sense of community amongst students. Morin and the 2022-2023 incoming leadership team hope to increase in-person student engagement in a post-pandemic world, and expand on the new SGA-AGÉ owned clothing store, Du North, located on the second floor of the R.D.-Parker building. “We also hope to promote gender equality, especially through our all female executive team,” explained Morin. 

Dr. Robert Haché, Laurentian’s President and Vice-Chancellor is looking forward to working with incoming student leaders: “Students and their success is the number one priority for us all at Laurentian. Student associations contribute exponentially to the student experience, and I applaud incoming leaders for their commitment to their peers. I have always appreciated the significant contributions of our student leaders, they play a critical role within Laurentian University."

Speaking more generally about the value of student leadership, Morin said: “Student leadership is important to me because I'm able to make a difference in not only my local Laurentian community but also to post secondary education across the province. I've loved every second of my advocacy work so far and have learned that the student voice always has a seat at the table no matter how big or small the decisions are. As SGA-AGÉ President I hope to use my leadership role to uplift and amplify all student voices and make a positive change in the student experience.”

For students interested in getting involved with the SGA-AGÉ, by-elections will be held early in the Fall semester of 2022. The Association des étudiantes et étudiants (AEF) and the Graduate Student Association (GSA) will also be holding by-election in the Fall semester. 

Association des étudiants et étudiantes francophones elect 2022-2023 leadership

Association des étudiants et étudiantes francophones elect 2022-2023 leadership

Hemliss Konan voted President of francophone student association.

(May 3, 2022) - Recently, l’AÉF held its annual elections for incoming 2022-2023 leadership. New leaders begin their roles this month of May, with Hemliss Konan taking on the role of AEF President. Konan is an international student originally from Ivory Coast in West Africa. She is a third year Politics and Law student, also studying a minor in Criminologie. 

The Association des étudiantes et étudiants francophones (AÉF) is dedicated to supporting Laurentian students. L’AÉF advocate first and foremost for Francophone students and spaces, and provide political representation for their members at various administrative and government levels. They also organize activities and events that promote the development and celebration of Francophone arts and culture. 

Konan has many goals for her tenure as AÉF President, and spoke confidently about the advocacy she anticipates to provide to fellow students. “I want to ensure that francophones truly feel and are able to celebrate their francophone culture on campus,” said Konan. “I also want to advocate for international students, and support their needs in any way possible.” Alongside her involvement with the AÉF, Konan is a member of Laurentian’s African and Caribbean student association (LUACSA), is a student ambassador with Liaison Services and with the keep.meSAFE program, and provides peer academic support through the Student Success Centre to french speaking students. 

Dr. Robert Haché, Laurentian’s President and Vice-Chancellor is looking forward to working with incoming student leaders: “Students and their success is the number one priority for us all at Laurentian. Student associations contribute exponentially to the student experience, and I applaud incoming leaders for their commitment to their peers. I have always appreciated the significant contributions of our student leaders, they play a critical role within Laurentian University."

Other elected leaders of L’AÉF’s 2022-2023 team include Nawfal Sbaa, Vice-President of Politics, and El Hadji Baye Dame Diop, Vice President of Sociocultural Affairs and Services. Both are 3rd year administration des affaires students. 

Outgoing President of l’AÉF, Simon Paquette, who will be graduating this Spring with a B.Sc. spécialisation Biologie biomédicale avec mineur Théâtre, is confident that l’AÉF is in good hands with the support of incoming leaders: “I see the AÉF continuing to be innovative and creative to meet the needs of its students. I have complete faith that the association will continue adapting to the obstacles thrown its way. The students have chosen a great and unique team that will undoubtedly do their best. I am excited to see what they do!” 

Paquette held the role of President of l’AÉF during his third (2020-2021) and fourth (2021-2022) years of undergraduate study at the University. He has also represented the LGBTQ2S+ community on the AÉF board (2019-2020). 

For students interested in getting involved with l’AÉF, by-elections will be held early in the Fall semester of 2022. The Student General Association and the Graduate Student Association will also be holding by-election in the Fall semester. 
 

Everyone has a place in the circle

Everyone has a place in the circle

Marcie Romenco
MSW, University of Toronto; HBSW, Laurentian University, RSW

“You never leave your family. You are always connected through dreams; through knowledge and lived experience; you walk together. Laurentian and the North are my family. This is my circle, and we face the future together as familial friends that heal as a community within the circle.”

I am an Omushkego Cree woman from the North. Coming from a remote community, can present many challenges. I saw firsthand the strengths and resiliency in my community and the impact of intergenerational trauma. I wanted to help, but mostly I believe I wanted to create a healthy community for my people. Knowing I needed academic credentials, I registered in the School of Social Work (SSW) Program at Northern College and received my Social Service Work Diploma. I immediately began working in foster care and residential programs, primarily with Indigenous children and families. It didn’t take me long to recognize that my training, although well intended, didn’t allow me to do what needed to be done. I didn’t know precisely what was missing, but I knew I needed more.

Recognizing this, I applied to the English and Indigenous Social Work Programs at Laurentian University. My previous training was grounded in Western methodology and worldviews where people are seen as clients, nurturing their connection to community and culture was missing. When I arrived at Laurentian, I was unaware of the cultural differences between the two programs.

From the moment I connected with the Indigenous Social Work program, I felt like I belonged. There was no presumption that I would register in the Indigenous Program, just an authentic discussion on my aspirations and desire to serve the community. I registered for the Indigenous Social Work program that day.

My time at Laurentian influenced who I am as a practitioner and a person. The Program focuses on nurturing relationships, strengthening people holistically, and empowering them to facilitate healing in communities. These values resonated with me; I welcomed the opportunity to become part of a community that would prepare me to serve, empower, and strengthen the wellbeing of Indigenous people and the place they call home.

At Laurentian, I learned how to be well in the community and be part of a healing community. I was taught the fundamental skills of Social Work and how to be curious, kind, and view my practice from a circular perspective with no beginning and no end. I was encouraged to source traditional Indigenous knowledge and apply my learnings to my practice. Indigenous Social Work is “social work” in its purest form. Steeped in culture, tradition, and custom, it is relationship-based, at one with the elements known in Indigenous circles as the shared abundance and reciprocal respect of people, place, and planet, or in the Western World – as the social determinants of health.

Getting to a place of healing and service required me to continue my learning journey and discover ways to lead people from trauma to wellbeing. I attended University of Toronto and completed my two-year Master of Social Work (MSW) specializing in Indigenous Trauma and Resiliency. I am now completing the first year of my PhD in Social Work Ph.D. at the University of Toronto, while living in Sudbury and working in the North. My story may have been much different were it not for Laurentian University and its commitment to support an Indigenous Pillar of learning excellence. 

Today, my life is busy and joyous. I am a sessional lecturer at Laurentian in the Indigenous Social Work program, a course instructor at the University of Toronto in the MSW Program I attended, a Ph.D. Social Work student, mentor, mother, grandmother, and entrepreneur. Love, respect, reciprocity, culture, and Indigenous world values have grounded my life and educational journey. My philosophy has always been to love people, all people, back into the circle, and now more than ever, as an Indigenous woman of the North – we need to wrap our supports around the Indigenous Programs at Laurentian University to strengthen the circle as we heal - together. 

Human service organizations and academic institutions are especially appreciative of Laurentian graduates' knowledge base and how we are making a difference in our communities and throughout the North. Indigenous youth need access to authentic Indigenous education; it is the path that will lead to collective healing in Indigenous communities. Ensuring that Indigenous communities have access to culturally relevant social work education and the right to that education is upheld, is a responsibility for those walking the shared path to Truth and Reconciliation. As an educated Indigenous woman, I know there are incentives and professional opportunities for those willing leave the North, I remain, focused on my responsibilities to Indigenous communities in the north, and through education. Miigwetch.

 

Marcie Romenco, MSW, University of Toronto; HBSW, Laurentian University, RSW

Maamwizing - "people collaborating together."

Maamwizing - "people collaborating together."

The Anishinaabe term maamwizing refers to "people collaborating together." While research can often be regarded as an overwhelming, intimidating, and even lonely process, Maamwizing holds a different view and, in turn, offers a unique experience for students. Discovery, rooted in collaboration, encompasses the Maamwizing Indigenous Research Institute's approach to honouring Indigenous worldviews through holistic relationships between nii'kinaagaanaa (all my relations), which includes all that is above, below, and around us, bringing these elements into our work.

“Knowledge sharing has always been a traditional practice among Indigenous communities, empowering generations of learners to explore and understand their world. It is akin to ceremony, informing our journey and relationship with the elements” explains Dr. Susan Manitowabi, Interim Associate Vice-President with the Office of Academic and Indigenous Programs.

Back Row, L-R Ophelia O’Donnell, Alicia WIlliamson, Cheyenne Oechsler. Front Row, L-R Joey-Lynn Wabie, Susan Manitowabi, Marnie Anderson.

 

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Science Communication program collaborates with Science North, Health Sciences North and Eastlink to offer Northern MedTalks 2022

Science Communication program collaborates with Science North, Health Sciences North and Eastlink to offer Northern MedTalks 2022

Speaker event features engaging Northern Ontario healthcare providers.

(April 14, 2022) - On April 21, 2022 at 7pm, Laurentian’s Science Communication program, Science North, and Health Sciences North will collaborate with Eastlink to offer Northern MedTalks 2022. This free, fast-paced speakers event will feature ten presentations by Northern Ontario healthcare providers. Each ten minute talk is co-produced by healthcare providers and Master’s students of the Science Communication program whose curriculum is co-delivered by Laurentian and Science North. Co-producing this event is a capstone project for Science Communication students. 

Michelle Reid, Science Communication sessional instructor and Presentation lead for Northern MedTalks 2022 said about the event that “we are providing an entertaining, engaging, and inspiring experience that the public will find valuable.” To produce the event, healthcare providers, who bring insights from their medical practice, are paired with graduate students to support the informative, accessible and engaging delivery of powerful healthcare narratives. Science Communication students not only help guide healthcare providers in the delivery of their stories, but also design visual components that complement presentations. 

Healthcare providers participating range from family physicians, nurse practitioners, paramedics, neurosurgeons and more! Presentations will be hosted live from Science North’s Vale Cavern, but livestreaming will also be available from the comfort of home on Eastlink Community television or on Science North’s webpage. Science North’s Discovery Theatre and IMAX® Theatre will also livestream the event. Those attending the event at Science North will have the opportunity to meet and greet speakers after the event during a social hour in the science centre. 

Julie Moskalyk, Science Director of Science North shared that: “ In 2019 the first Northern MedTalks event took place, and was incredibly successful in reaching, and inspiring, our audiences of all ages. This year we are so pleased to expand the reach with a live stream to further increase accessibility to these powerful presentations, also allowing us to record the sessions for later access. Science North is proud to feature the work of the Science Communication program superstars as they show their skills in action!”

This is the second year that the Science Communication program has paired with Science North to deliver this exciting event. 
 

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