What: 2022 Turtle Island Indigenous Science Conference
When: June 14 – 16, 2022
Where: University of Manitoba, Fort Garry Campus – the conference will be held in person (pending public health restrictions) 

Many North Americans, including Indigenous peoples, aren’t aware of the rich Indigenous scientific legacy and the value of the application of two-eyed seeing to modern science today.

Through interactive sessions with world-renowned speakers, cross-pollination of ideas, and approaches, the conference aims to raise the profile of Indigenous STEM science. Indigenous scientific accomplishments that rivaled those of the rest of the world will be explored among other topics.

Official Conference Website

Please visit the conference website for more details. 

Register

Online registration begins on February 1, 2022, via Eventbrite.

Registration costs:
Professor/Scientist/Business Professionals/Members of Government – $300.00
Students & Post Doctoral Fellows – $100.00.

Sponsored by

With generous support from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.

Indigenous UM students Robyn Chow, recognized for community volunteerism, along with Sondra Flett, and Westin Sutherland, recipients of the cultural awards, were honoured virtually on Feb. 25. UM Today sat down with Chow, a first-year Métis student studying geography at Clayton H. Riddell Faculty of Environment, Earth, and Resources, to learn more.

UM Today: Tell us about your role in Junior Community and Volunteerism.

Robyn Chow at her Dakota Collegiate high school graduation in 2020.

Robyn Chow: I have participated with Habitat for Humanity, 30- hour Famine, Manitoba Possible, the Manitoba Marathon and countless hours on other initiatives through my high school career, including as student council president and valedictorian. I am a 2019 alum of the entrepreneurship Shad program, as well as an Encounters with Canada alum after participating in the medicine and health category. At Dakota Collegiate Institute, I was chosen as the student leader representative and participated in the Educating for ACTion conference in 2020.

My goal for the future is to have a lifestyle advocating for environmental sustainability with my continued passion of giving back to the community through community-building, education and volunteerism.

What was your initial response when you found out you were receiving the award?

When I first received the call that I was selected as the recipient of the Community and Volunteerism Award in the Junior category, I was both surprised and excited. It is an extreme honour to be the recipient of such an award. There are many youth leaders in the Indigenous community making such positive impacts for both a better present and future, all the while influencing other youth and serving as mentors. I am just truly grateful and humbled by the recognition.

What advice would you give to a prospective student considering a major in geography?

Follow your interests and your passions. Do not follow anyone else’s goals other than your own. This is an area of study that I absolutely love and want to continue learning about for the rest of my life. If you have a passion to grow and be inspired about the beautiful Earth we live in, then without a doubt I recommend this field of study. The faculty is amazing. They have great resources, great communication and absolutely incredible representatives and members. I would definitely recommend the Riddell Faculty.
 

On April 29, Access Program students Sandra Hart and Mackenzie Chartrand were recognized for their contributions and leadership in the area of health. Read more about their studies.

Congratulations to all the Indigenous UM students who are MIYAA recipients this year:
Community Volunteerism Junior – Robyn Chow, Métis, Red River Valley (Clayton H. Riddell Faculty of Environment, Earth, and Resources)
Cultural Female – Sondra Flett, St. Theresa Point First Nation (University 1)
Cultural Male – Westin Sutherland, Peguis First Nation (Faculty of Arts)
Health North – Sandra Hart, Norway House Cree Nation (Rady Faculty of Health Sciences/Access Program)
Health South – Mackenzie Chartrand, Pine Creek First Nation (Rady Faculty of Health Sciences/Access Program)

With a combined nearly 100 years of traditional and contemporary knowledge, perspectives and values shared with the university, their departures mark a monumental shift for both the Indigenous and non-Indigenous campus community. Their dedication and perseverance broke down barriers and led to significant changes at the university. They have paved the way for current and future generations and their legacies will aid UM in furthering its commitment to ensuring a safe learning and working environment for Indigenous staff, students and faculty that we will carry into our future.

“It has been a privilege to work with all of the retirees – each have their own set of skills and expertise and all of us at the university have benefited from their knowledge, their kindness and their generosity as they shared that expertise with us,” says Dr. Catherine Cook, vice-president (Indigenous). “We are privileged to have had them with us as long as we did and we now wish them a long and happy retirement – it is well-deserved!”

We asked the retirees about their memorable moments and asked friends and colleagues to reflect on their accomplishments and legacy that lays the foundation for others.

Brenda Lee Lafreniere

Brenda Lafreniere

Brenda Lee Lafreniere was acting associate director and counsellor with the Access and Aboriginal Focus Programs. For more than 30 years, Lafreniere advocated for and supported hundreds of students and their families. She is respected for her work to foster a greater understanding of Indigenous knowledges, culture and traditions, and, is, as one colleague said, “a warrior woman.”

Through her time at UM, Lafreniere:

• received an Indigenous Award of Excellence in the Lifetime Trailblazer category in 2020
• was a long-serving member of the Indigenous Advisory Circle, Annual Traditional Graduation Pow Wow Committee and Traditional Peoples Advisory Committee
• was a founding member of Gaa wii jii diyaang, a group that includes Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples advocating for Indigenous Achievement at UM

A stand-out moment: “…was the grand opening of the Migizii Agamik building in 2008. This building is a home away from home and a safe place for students and staff. It provides a sense of belonging and is a meeting place that instills pride in who we are as a people and where we can showcase the beauty of our Indigenous culture.”

She is most proud of: “…helping to create a safe place for students to grow and feel empowered and proud of who they are as an Indigenous person. A defining moment for me was when I was honoured at the University of Manitoba Indigenous Awards of Excellence with the Lifetime Trailblazer Award in 2020.”

On students: “During my time at the university, I worked with many Indigenous students and it gives me a sense of great pride to see how resilient they can be amidst sometimes insurmountable odds. At convocation and the Graduation Pow Wow, they walk across the stage strong and proud to receive their degree and prepare the path for future generations.”

What others say about her:

“Brenda’s commitment has always been to the well-being of students as they walk along that difficult academic path…I don’t know if it can be realized what the university is losing at her departure. She holds the institutional memory of decades, she lent her voice to the need for the building of Migizii Agamik when it was still a dream, she has stood up to administrators who didn’t understand the needs of our students and she carried the burden with students when they were too tired to carry it on their own.

Our students have gone through so much and having someone like Brenda to be there for them when they need to be heard or when they need to be told to do better [is so important] – Brenda is a gem that is difficult to replace. She is a warrior woman and wherever her path in life takes her, she will do well and she will be missed.” –Diedre A. Desmarais, PhD, area director, Access and Aboriginal Focus Programs (Extended Education)

“Brenda Lafreniere is committed to supporting Indigenous students, staff and faculty in her role, and her generous spirit has provided a sense of well-being and confidence for all who had the ability to engage with her.”  –Dr. Catherine Cook, vice-president (Indigenous)

Carl W. Stone

Carl Stone (photo by David Lipnowski)

Carl W. Stone was a student advisor and cultural coordinator at the Indigenous Student Centre for over 22 years. He was instrumental in the creation and naming of Migizii Agamik – Bald Eagle Lodge, and well-known for organizing the Fireside Chats cultural education series. Colleagues describe him as a positive force for change – a welcoming, generous person committed to a stronger, more vibrant UM for Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples alike.

Stone is a familiar face to many UM community members, leading traditional gatherings like the Annual Traditional Graduation Pow Wow, bringing prayers and honour songs at UM events and celebrations, and organizing programming like Zongiigabowin, a wellness program for male Indigenous students.

Stone:

• grew up on the Brokenhead Ojibway First Nation, where he helped bring back drum teachings, sweat lodges and pipe ceremonies to the community
• received a UM Award of Excellence in the Service category in 2016
• was publicly honoured as an Elder by the community at the 2019 Annual Keeping the Fires Burning gathering

A stand-out moment: “[…was] when we opened the doors to Migizii Agamik; building that took a lot of meetings and committed leadership and convincing to build.”

He is most proud of: “I loved working with the people I have worked with such as Kali Storm, Dr. Fred Shore, Randy Hermann and the Elders that lead the way with wisdom. I managed to work with two presidents of U of M and two directors to the Indigenous Student Centre. I saw and contributed to [the formation of] the Indigenous Achievement Office and the Office of the [Vice-President (Indigenous)].”

His hope for the future: “That curriculum will include correct Indigenous history in every respect and at all levels, including Indigenous contributions to the development of this country and the world. I see more buildings like Migizii Agamik created to mark the landscape of the Indigenous people such as the first nations of the Anishinabe, Cree, Oji-Cree, Dakota, Dene, the Inuit and the Métis Nation.”

What others say about him:

“Carl Stone is a kind and generous soul, a skilled orator with a great sense of humour and truly grounded in his cultural and traditional principles and values.” -Dr. Catherine Cook, vice-president (Indigenous)

“[Carl] came to the University of Manitoba as a student in 1977, so he carries a lot of institutional knowledge, which is why he is considered by many people to be one of the ‘keepers of the Indigenous history of the U of M.’ He’s very generous with his time and his stories. As a student advisor, Carl has been a passionate advocate for implementing holistic services so on their academic journeys, students grow and thrive as empowered, culturally-grounded and beloved human beings.

As a cultural teacher, Carl is kind, honest and funny. His self-deprecating humour is balanced with cultural pride and an effortless way of conveying the sacredness of the land, the language and the teachings […] Carl has touched the lives of so many people. People love Carl. It is an honour to know this man, and to work with him. Miigwech to you, my friend, and as you once said to me: May all the love travel with you.” -Christine Cyr, director, Indigenous Student Centre

“Carl is known for his wisdom, aptitude for storytelling and his ability to make people laugh. As a long-time colleague, he became a mentor, friend and cultural teacher. He has made a huge impact at the University of Manitoba and will be greatly missed. I hope his path will cross our campus again.” -Carla Loewen, student advisor, Indigenous Student Centre

Dr. Fred Shore

Fred Shore (photo by David Lipnowski)

Dr. Fred Shore is retiring after 37 years as a loved and respected teacher, and a leading scholar in the rights and history of the Métis people.

A UM alum and long-time professor in the department of Native studies, Shore taught thousands of students to be proud of the origins, history and political systems of the Métis. He was an active advocate for Métis land claims and rights, and wrote widely about the Métis, including in his book, Threads in the Sash: The Story of the Metis People.

Shore advocated for all Indigenous students and was also instrumental in the realization of Migizii Agamik – Bald Eagle Lodge. Early in his career, Shore became head of the department of Native studies and was executive director of UM Accessibility for Visible Minorities, Persons with Disabilities and Aboriginal Peoples.

“I’ve received recognition for my time in teaching, but it’s the personal experiences expressed by the students that really matter,” Shore told UM Today in early 2020.

A stand-up moment: “[…was] the day the department [of Native studies] got its grad program.”

What he is most proud of: “I taught over 7,000 students what it means to be an Indigenous person in the positive sense.”

What he hopes will continue: “The department will continue to be a major part of the Indigenous presence in Winnipeg, Manitoba and nationally.”

What others say about him:

“Dr. Fred Shore has been a role model since I began my studies at the university – a Métis scholar, a strong advocate for Métis rights and issues, and a true collaborator with an ability to bring people together for collective action on issues.” ­-Dr. Catherine Cook, vice-president (Indigenous)

“I would like to share what an incredible story-teller Fred Shore is, both inside and outside of the classroom. His wealth of knowledge and lived experience is nothing short of extraordinary. If you’ve ever had the privilege of spending time with Dr. Shore, you would know he has the natural ability to tell the history of our People and Nations with humour, knowing winks and an impish smile […] I will surely miss his physical presence on campus.” -Nicole Stonyk, Indigenous student recruitment officer

“I first met Fred in the fall of 1997 in my first year of University when I took Intro Native Studies with him… The intro class totally changed my life. I took the class out of personal curiosity, as growing up as the daughter of a residential school survivor, I knew nothing about my ancestry, history or background.

As Fred explained things such as the Indian Act, treaties, residential schools, etc., all of the things that had happened to me in my life and the way my family was all started to make sense. I suddenly understood the experiences of violence, the drug and alcohol abuse, the involvement with CFS and this enabled me to not only begin my own healing process, but to also forgive my parents as I came to understand that they simply did not have the tools, skills or knowledge to deal with their own traumas.

I ended up taking every class that I possibly could with Fred, so not only the intro class, but all three Métis history classes. The one memory that really sticks in my mind is when I was still in first year and taking Intro Native Studies. Fred handed me back one of my papers and said, ‘YOU! GRAD SCHOOL!’ – which, of course, terrified me! I did indeed end up going on to do a master’s in Native studies and am now finishing a PhD in history […] I would not be where I am today without the mentorship and guidance I received from Fred.” -Karen Froman, PhD student, department of history, University of Winnipeg 

Noreen Wichart 

Noreen Wichart

Noreen Wichart was acting area director and Professional Health Programs specialist with the Access and Aboriginal Focus Programs, with which she was involved for 15 years. Throughout her career, she helped Indigenous students achieve their goal of becoming health-care practitioners in a variety of fields.

Wichart is a former Access Program student herself, having returned to university as a mature student. She has made tremendous contributions to Access, Extended Education and the UM community at large.

At UM, Wichart:

• was camp director for the Health Career Quest Summer Camp, a math, health and science camp to help northern high school students achieve a career in health care
• received an Indigenous Award of Excellence (Faculty Trailblazer) and a number of Indigenous Initiatives Funds
• was an early advocate for Ongomiizwin Education at Bannatyne campus

What she will miss most: “[I]t has to be my students. I have worked with many of them for periods in excess of 10 years and have had the privilege to know them quite well during that time. I have learned a great deal from them due to their dedication, commitment, resilience and passion. I am so proud of the many stellar students who have gone on to accomplish great things as health professionals, not only locally, but nationally and internationally. It is so difficult to say goodbye to the team I work with, especially under current circumstances. It seems so unnatural not to say goodbye in person. I will truly miss all of my colleagues […] I have always valued their support, insights, and efforts.”

Her hope for the future: “I truly hope that the Health Careers Access and Professional Health Programs, through the Access Programs, continue to provide Indigenous students with the supports they need to enter the health professional colleges. In fact, I hope this area will see expansion in the future. We are still a long way from adequate representation in the health professions.”

What others say about her:

“Noreen Wichart has worked tirelessly to support and advance Indigenous students in achieving success and reaching their goals – her passionate commitment to this issue, coupled with a great sense of humour, has carried her through some very trying times as she assertively advocated for resources and supports for Indigenous students.” -Dr. Catherine Cook, vice-president (Indigenous)

 “I think it is safe to state the success of the Health Careers Access Program (HCAP) is largely due to Noreen’s commitment to the success of the program, her solid relationship with students and the connections she has built with the health faculties on the Bannatyne campus. One of Noreen’s students, who just graduated as a medical doctor, met Noreen as a high school student in the Heath Careers Quest Summer Camp, then became an HCAP student, was accepted into medicine – and the rest is now history. 

Noreen’s presence has left an indelible mark on the lives of so many; she is irreplaceable. We thank her and we will miss her.” –Diedre A. Desmarais, PhD, area director, Access and Aboriginal Focus Programs (Extended Education)

More than 100 people, including nominators, friends and family, gathered to witness the honouring of this year’s recipients.

“It is extremely powerful when we come together as a community and hear about all of the important and often challenging work that Indigenous leaders are advancing across our campuses and in the community,” says Dr. Catherine Cook, Vice-President (Indigenous). “Their contributions are ensuring the inclusion of Indigenous perspectives, knowledges, research, partnerships and student supports today and for generations to come.”

The student categories include Community Builder, Outstanding Achievement and Trailblazer. Employee categories are Staff Community Builder and Faculty Trailblazer. Two individuals are honoured in each category. For the first time since the awards began four years ago, the student awards also came with co-curricular record recognition and a cash prize of $250 from Financial Aid and Awards.

We asked each recipient what their initial response was upon receiving the news of their well-deserved recognition. Click through the slideshow to read about their reactions. 

The afternoon event will include presentations by Career Services, Student Accessibility Services, the UMSU Accessibility Centre, the Society for Manitobans with Disabilities, and the Canadian Council on Rehabilitation and Work.

“Students will have an opportunity to learn more about on-campus support to enhance their academic success,” says Gail Langlais, director of Career Services. “They will also be introduced to on- and off-campus resources to support their career plan. Increased awareness on how to access those resources will help students connect to employment opportunities both while in school and upon completion of their degree.”

Student Accessibility Services (SAS) reports that their most requested services are test accommodations such as distraction-reduced space, extended time, and assistive technology facilitating text to speech, or speech to text. SAS coordinates and invigilates over 7,000 tests and exams each year.

Carolyn Christie, SAS director, notes: “Last year, more than 1,500 students registered with Student Accessibility Services. People with disabilities have a higher rate of underemployment and unemployment, and Accessible Pathways to Success is designed to help students learn about supports, funding, and finding employment after university.”

Brandon Wozniak, a student and president of the Accessibility Centre, says: “Student Accessibility Services has aided me with the necessary accommodations to help me succeed by changing my environment, without which would cause me to be disadvantaged in the institution. For anyone who has additional barriers or obstacles to face from their student counterparts, I would definitely recommend Student Accessibility Services to put you on the same playing field.”

Langlais explains: “Students need support in making stronger connections to the labour market. Career Services has partnered with the Canadian Council on Rehabilitation and Work to help provide a more robust service to students. We have used this program in the past, in conjunction with the Works Study Program, and students have also accessed this service following graduation.”

Event: Accessible Pathways to Success
Date: Thursday, October 24, 2019
Time: 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm. Doors Open 2:30 pm
Location: Graduate Student Lounge, 217 UMSU University Centre

The doors will open for the event at 2:30 pm, and five presentations will start at 3:00 pm. Following the presentations, participants will be invited to meet the presenters at their tables from 3:30 to 5:00 pm. Food will be provided following the presentations.

Please register in advance on Career Connect.

“We are absolutely proud of them and thankful to have been a part of their lives,” says Diedre Desmarais, Area Director, Access and Aboriginal Focus Programs. “The students have to do the work. The ideas, the research has to come from them. They have to walk the path and follow their dream. We support them, to realize their greatest potential.”

The celebration is affectionately known as the Access grad, even though students do not officially graduate until convocation. This year, the celebration honoured 16 students of diverse cultures and backgrounds. The majority are Indigenous. They will receive degrees in dentistry, nursing, education, kinesiology, environmental studies, and commerce. Six current Access Program students were also presented with the Extended Education Endowment Award, recognizing academic excellence.

“Our grad is a way to acknowledge all of our graduands, to recognize their hard work, share a meal with them, and give them a gift. This is our way to give back to students, a special way to honour them. We have celebrated our graduands for many years.”

Elizabeth Keeper, Doctor of Dental Medicine

For over 40 years, the Access Program has provided holistic support to students attending the U of M. There are currently 185 students in the Access Program, and over 80 students have applied to start university this fall with Access.

“Access is an important program. We support students holistically and culturally,” says Desmarais. “With us, they have the support of the Access community and a great group of professionals. Students are comfortable here. Together, we laugh and we cry. We advocate for them and we are there for them.”

The Access Program has a strong Indigenous connection. Over 80 per cent of Access students are Indigenous. Half of the Access staff is Indigenous, including the Dakota Unkan (Grandfather)-in-residence. The Extended Education Access Program is located in Migizii Agamik (Bald Eagle Lodge) on the Fort Garry campus.

The celebration included expressions of Indigenous culture like the honour song and a prayer by Unkan Wanbdi Wakita, and entertainment by father and twin sons act Double the Trouble. Guests included representatives from Extended Education, the U of M, Access staff, and students’ family and friends.

Victoria McIntosh and her grandson

Emőke Szathmáry, Past President and Vice Chancellor of the U of M (1996 to 2008), provided the community address. She compared the journeys of Access students to those of trickles of water flowing to streams and the river, where their troubles are washed away.

“I am immensely proud of you,” said Szathmáry. “Your alma mater is very proud of you. Much is expected of you.”

Education graduand, Victoria McIntosh, offered the toast to her fellow graduates.

“Keep on learning, in every moment,” McIntosh said. “My grandmother was my greatest teacher. She always said watch what’s around you, be kind to people, and pay attention.”

Learn more about The Access Program

“It would be hard to imagine university without Access,” says the Métis University of Manitoba student from St. Ambroise, Man. “It would have been more difficult not to have that support.”

The Access Program at the University of Manitoba provides holistic support to Indigenous, newcomer, and other U of M students, empowering them on their path to success. 

“Access is like a second family. It’s nice to know people are there, standing behind you, with you in whatever you take on. It’s a great support system,” says Lavallee.

Family
In fact, she learned about the Access Program from her own family, her two older sisters. Both of them graduated from U of M, with Access. One earned her Bachelor of Social Work, and the other earned her Bachelor of Arts degree. Now Lavallee is working on her Bachelor of Science degree, with a major in Ecology. She plans to continue on, to earn her masters and PhD degrees, and eventually pursue research in conservation.

“My love for nature is very important to me. Coming from a small traditional Métis community, I have ice fishing, trapping, and hunting. I have experienced it myself, and I am appreciative of our resources.”

Travelling in to school every day with her father who works for Manitoba Justice, and her sister, a social worker, Lavallee is fortunate to be able to continue to live in her community while studying at the U of M. Her mom is the spirit worker with Michif Child and Family Services (CFS).  “I am here for school. I travel home. I enjoy the space there.

“My community is all family. Everyone is related. There are aunts, uncles, cousins. Access also has that small town community feeling, a sense of home.”

While she had the support of her parents and sisters, who encouraged her to apply to Access and attend the U of M, she also appreciates what a big transition it is to move from your local high school to the large university campus, especially if you feel like you have to do it alone. That’s where Access comes in.

“I transitioned quite well. My sister was here to show me around. Access was here for me. But I can see how it could have been a struggle. My high school was Kindergarten to Grade 12, with 70 students. Everyone knew everyone. The university is quite huge. You are one in thousands. Going into large classes, you are lucky if the prof gets to know your name.”

Christie Lavallee, Access Program student

Ask for help
University is a time when you are considered an adult, she says. “You are expected to become more independent. When you need help, you need to voice that. It can be a bit of a shock to adjust to the size and the amount of people around here. But within the first year, I became more familiar. My sister and Access professionals helped. I found quiet areas and places to study. By the end of the year, I had new friends.”

It was a new beginning, with Access there to support her along the way.

“There was always someone to talk to, to help with my courses. It can be a bit daunting at first to ask for help, but I am not afraid to ask for help anymore. If I am struggling, everyone is there to help.”

The Access personal counsellor was great, she says. “When I have rough days, when I need to talk about problems and the things that make me happy, the good things, it’s nice to know she’s there.”

Cultural connection
With Access, located in Migizii Agamik (Bald Eagle Lodge) on the U of M’s Fort Garry campus, she continues her connection with her Métis identity. “At home, we had a traditional square dance team for 10 years. Here, I carry on my sense of culture and traditions. Access helped me carry it through. I appreciate the gatherings.”

Lavallee has an additional challenge, being visually impaired as a result of having a brain tumour when she was three years old. She relies on 40 per cent vision in her left eye, as she is blind in her right eye. So, as needed, Access and the university’s Accessibility Services have been there to assist her in meeting any related challenges.

“For me, this is normal. I don’t remember having full vision. Some things take me longer, but nothing holds me back.”

Prospective students may feel anxious about coming to such a big campus, or fear financial troubles, but Access helps to provide as many opportunities as possible including information about bursaries. She encourages students who are contemplating university to take this important step toward their future success.

“I say just go for it. University is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. You take in knowledge, and share it. You see yourself grow, and form connections. My life would definitely have been different if I hadn’t come to university,” says Lavallee.

Lavallee encourage Indigenous residents of Manitoba to apply to the Access Program, and attend the University of Manitoba this fall. Application deadline is May 1. Apply now.

The Access Program

On March 25, eager listeners gathered for the second of two sessions of Indigenous Storytelling: An Alternative Path to Understanding Truth and Reconciliation presented by the Access Program and sponsored by the Indigenous Initiatives Fund. The first was held on Feb. 13.

The March event featured three storytellers and elders: Fred Shore (Métis), Martha Peet (Inuit), and Wanbdi Wakita (Dakota).

Fred Shore, Métis storyteller, elder and professor of Native Studies at U of M

Stories to teach
“My stories come out of my teaching,” says Fred Shore, Métis storyteller, elder, and professor of Native Studies at U of M. “When I started teaching, I discovered history could be boring. So I started telling stories to make it interesting.”

But he doesn’t make it up. “I think stories have to be both interesting and verifiable. I draw from oral history I have collected for years, and read between the lines in history books, to tell an interesting story.”

For example, in one story, he explores how you hunt buffalo on horseback with a muzzleloader. And the process is not an easy one. Imagine riding a horse at 35 mph in a herd of buffalo, bouncing around, trying to get the ball and powder down the barrel to load your gun. Of course, Shore has not actually done this himself, but he collected the details to tell us how it’s done.

“In exploring the logistical organization of the buffalo hunt, my objective is to show people the Métis were highly organized and really knew how to do things. A lot of people assumed the Métis were an ignorant bunch of savages. But they went after buffalo to bring back pemmican and sell it to the Hudson’s Bay Company and the Northwest Company for cash. My purpose is to show the economic foundation of the Métis Nation.”

For Shore, storytelling is about putting the details of people’s experiences together and adding a little excitement to it, so “you can almost hear the horses pounding down the road.”

It’s important to talk about these things, Shore says. “A story is being used to teach about who the Métis are, where they come from, and why they are the way they are.

“I love telling stories. That’s my thing. Where did I learn to do that? There are many teachers in my family. I am also part Irish, so, of course, I have the gift of the gab.”

Martha Peet, Inuit elder and storyteller

Personal experiences
For Martha Peet, Inuit elder and storyteller from Taloyaok, Nunavut, telling stories is about sharing her own experiences and the traditional Inuit way of life.

Taloyaok was founded in 1948 when the HBC established a trading post. Five nomadic families moved in, including hers. Peet was born in 1950. “I was there from the beginning. I lived in an igloo in the winter and a tent in the summer. My job as a child was collecting cotton in the summer, for the wick on the seal oil (soapstone) lamp (fueled by blubber). I always had chores. I carried water twice a day from the lake. I made bannock and tea. We boiled our meat, seal and caribou,” she says.

A storyteller for over 30 years, Peet enjoys sharing stories about her life, where she is from, and the Inuit way of life of years ago including the importance of animals and traditions.

Martha Peet in her mother hubbard.

Martha Peet, with the coat her mother made for her.

The past
“I tell stories from my past. It is so important to keep the Inuit way of life strong, and keep it going. I never stop being homesick for being on the land, picking berries and plants, camping and fishing. It’s what we grew up with, what parents teach their children. I speak from my experiences. The ways the nomads in the areas, including my parents, went seal hunting, spring fishing, hunting caribou in the winter. They followed the animals year-round.”

When people hear her stories, Peet says, they are surprised but happy to learn how traditional her early life was, even as recently as the 1950s. “In the 1950s, we were living in igloos and eating traditional foods all the time. It is like yesterday to me.”

Of course, now the community is modern and home to 1,000 people. Many kids speak English, but many also still speak their own language with their parents, and parents continue to make caribou coats and mitts. Yet, eating habits have changed and there are more illnesses, she says.

“Storytelling is important because it’s the way people learn about our past, how I was born and raised, the environment, the hardships and pleasures of my experience up in the arctic. There are different plants and berries that don’t grow here. I long for those. When you get hungry out on the land, you eat plants and roots.”

Peet learned many of her grandmother’s stories through her sister, for she was very young when her grandmother died. “I remember the values taught to me. They were set into my life. I remember my dad hunting, my mom sewing. I always remember. Everything is so important. I was taught how to carry a rifle. The lessons stayed with me my whole life.”

She also retains fluency in her language, by continuing to speak with other Inuit people, doing translations, and keeping up-to-date. “I keep researching for new words for new concepts that did not exist before, like global warming. There are some things you can only teach on the land in your own language.”

Wanbdi Wakita, Dakota elder, storyteller, and Access Program Unkan (Grandfather)-in-residence

An important tradition
Wanbdi Wakita, Dakota elder, storyteller, and Access Program Unkan (Grandfather)-in-residence, notes the importance of the storytelling tradition and bringing it to campus. “I am pleased this community is starting to recognize Indigenous people still have a big contribution to make to this world, and there is an interest to listen to the stories.”

The Access Program at the University of Manitoba provides holistic support to Indigenous, newcomer, and other U of M students, empowering them on their path to success. 

The Access Program

“We used to have the storyteller come for supper. After the dishes were put away, they would tell their stories. It was only in the last 100 years they started writing them in syllabics but few could write them,” says Stella Neff, Cree elder and storyteller from Grand Rapids.

On Feb. 13, eager listeners gathered for the first of two sessions of Indigenous Storytelling: An Alternative Path to Understanding and Reconciliation presented by the Access Program and sponsored by the Indigenous Initiatives Fund.

The next session is set for March 25 in MPR Room 210 University Centre.

The February event featured three storytellers and elders: Stella Neff (Cree), Paul Guimond (Anishinaabe), and Nelliane Cromarty (Oji-Cree).

Storyteller Stella Neff

Sharing the stories
As the oldest daughter in a family of 13, Neff listened carefully to the stories of the elders and repeated them to her younger siblings. “I would tell the stories and sing the songs to them at bedtime.”

When she came back to her community after many years of teaching, she found a different place. “We lost our language, and much of our spirituality. The young people don’t have the elders we had to visit, come to our homes and talk with us.”

Indigenous stories include important information about the knowledge and beliefs people had about their own natural world, she says. “We had our own beliefs about the world. We didn’t wait for the stories to come to us. We had our own. There was a lot of wisdom in what the storytellers told to us.”

She notes that elders in many Indigenous communities know some of the same stories. For example, a story she shares called The Rolling Head was recorded by a missionary in 1810 because he felt it was important to be preserved. “When we hear a story, we add our own concepts. We see how each community has a different version. But we know the native communities shared stories. Shared stories show a great connection among the native people.”

“It’s so important to recover and share these stories.”

Feeling proud
Young people need to feel proud. Listening to elders talk about their traditional way of life helps them to feel good about themselves and to understand who they are, says Paul Guimond, Anishinaabe elder and storyteller from Sagkeeng First Nation.

“Colonization has affected every walk of life. A lot of cultures have lost their way and lost their language. When you hear about someone else’s culture, it gives you interest to go back to yours,” says Guimond.

As a spiritual advisor at Red River College and having worked with people battling addictions, Guimond says, “We are all in this together. When we listen and share, we realize we are all in the same boat. How do we heal? If we can share, we can find our place. We can heal together.”

He stresses the importance of storytelling.

Releasing pain
“I have spent a lot of time sharing the story of our ways. A lot of old people have told their story. By not telling your story, you are still carrying a lot of pain in your being. It took me a while to deal with that little child in me who saw abuse at home and at school. School was not about education. It was about something else. The shame, and the fear of talking your language, kids feel it. They carry that seed. If they don’t talk about it, it carries on. When kids see you express where they pain comes from, they understand and we can continue to break that cycle.”

Guimond talks about his history and how spirit names help people to understand their roles in life. The creator gave us spirit. Our spirit never dies.”

His spirit name is Okunace or Little Eagle Bone. “It represents leadership. For a long time, I didn’t know how to accept it. I walk with people so they can find their way. I find a bit of myself each time.”

He says, “To feel good about myself, I went back to the way of life. It gave me a pride about myself. We do have a place. We do have something to offer. It’s a beautiful feeling to have a purpose.”

In the past, the ancestors had to go underground to light their fire, but today people can light it with pride and without shame, he says. “We can sound our drum, tell the story, and say we are here.”

Wanbdi Wakita (left to right), Stella Neff, and Nelliane Cromarty

An important tradition
Wanbdi Wakita, Access Program Unkan (Grandfather)-in-residence, notes the importance of the storytelling tradition and bringing it to campus. “Our stories involve language, history, ceremony, song. There is humour, and knowledge all people can use. It’s important to introduce them here because some of our students may want to use them as a guide.”

Stella Neff adds, “We lost a lot but we didn’t lose everything. It’s important to talk about our history as it was done before.”

Register for March 25 event
Hear from three more Indigenous elders and storytellers on March 25. Sharing their stories will be Fred Shore (Métis), Martha Peet (Inuit) and the Access Program’s resident Unkan (Grandfather) Wanbdi Wakita (Dakota).

Register for this free event and lunch by emailing Access Program

The Access Program at the University of Manitoba provides holistic support to Indigenous, newcomer, and other U of M students, empowering them on their path to success. 

Learn more about the Access Program

The Access Program at the University of Manitoba provides holistic support to Indigenous, newcomer, and other U of M students, empowering them on their path to success. 

Now in his fourth year of kinesiology, Curtis remembers what it was like to come to the U of M as a new student. “The first year was insanely tough. I was living eight hours away from my family. Access became my family. The university has five times the population of our town. And, I spent my first two weeks on crutches because I had torn my ACL. Access took away my worries. It could have been a lot worse.”

As a university student, there are times when you might feel alone, and Access makes it a lot easier and less intimidating, he says. “They provide reassurance. You can come to university, work hard, and find something you love.”

See your potential
Curtis’s Access advisor could see his path and his potential before he did. “When I asked her about how to apply to medicine, she said she wondered when I would ask. She could see my direction before I could.”

Access counselling is an investment in you, says Curtis. “With Access, you have people to believe in you. My high school didn’t understand the potential in me. No one told me I had the potential to be more than I think I can be. They influenced the direction I am taking.”

With the support of the people at Access, Curtis did even better than he expected in his studies and built up his confidence.

“Access puts Northern students on a level playing field,” he says. “Many of the grads from our high school had never seen the university before. I was very stressed out at first. With Access counselling, I found a sense of calmness and created a confidence in me.”

Find out who you are
With Access, located in Migizii Agamik (Bald Eagle Lodge) on the U of M’s Fort Garry campus, Curtis also connected with the Indigenous community and learned more about his Métis culture and Indigenous cultural practices. “I had seen practices in The Pas, but I didn’t understand them. Here, I acknowledge their importance. It helps you to become an individual. You find out who you are.”

For Curtis, Access tutoring provided another reassuring support. “Knowing it is here for me, that support is available makes all the difference. Access feels like a second home. It makes the whole university experience a lot easier and less intimidating.”

Curtis told his brother, Nicolas about the Access Program. Nicolas always knew he should go to university, but the challenge of leaving his close-knit family and small Northern community seemed daunting, until he was reassured by his older brother and the Access Program.

“The transition was a hard one to overcome but they made it less scary,” says the second year science student from The Pas. “I always knew university was the way to go if I wanted a career and a good life.”

Be your own person
In The Pas, Nicolas was very close to his family, including his parents, twin brother Ben who is now studying engineering at the U of M, and older brother Curtis. “University is the first time I am living away from home. Here, I also like the idea of being my own person.”

For Nicolas, Access has also helped him find his path. He’s studying genetics, and plans to pursue graduate degrees and do research. “I had a passion for biology. I discovered microbiology and working in the lab is a joy. I want to help people through research.”

As an introvert, Nicolas says he doesn’t go out of his way to meet people. But with the events and activities at Access, he began to see many familiar faces and make new friends.

Access tutoring has also proved helpful, he says. “Students need to realize we don’t know everything. A half-hour of tutoring can help tremendously to raise your grades. If you don’t understand and can get someone to explain it to you, that’s massive.”

Nicolas also learned about Indigenous traditions, spirituality, and culture. “The practices are very powerful. They speak to a side of me.”

Although he did well in high school, Nicolas still found the transition to university to be a challenge. “They expect a lot more of me here.”

Curtis and Nicolas encourage Indigenous residents of Manitoba to apply to the Access Program, and attend the University of Manitoba.

Learn more about the Access Program