We saw record-setting Indigenous student enrolment, milestone anniversaries and meaningful advances in policies and practices that lay the groundwork for lasting, structural change. Gratitude carried us through each season, bringing moments of celebration and remembrance, growth and connection.

In honour of the 13 Grandmother Moons that guided us through the year, here are 13 moments from the UM Indigenous Campus Community in 2025!

Launched Time for Action: UM’s Truth and Reconciliation Framework

UM took a significant step forward with the launch of Time for Action: UM’s Truth and Reconciliation Framework. The framework provides shared direction and accountability to embed Reconciliation across teaching, research, policy and campus life, in partnership with First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities.

Celebrated Indigenous Excellence across campus community

During an afternoon of heartfelt recognition, ten members of the Indigenous campus community—including six students, two staff members, one faculty member and one legacy honouree—were celebrated as part of National Indigenous Peoples Day. Each was recognized for leading transformational change and weaving Indigenous knowledges into all they do. Their work, spanning healthcare, education, science, architecture and more, reflects the powerful impact of Indigenous leadership grounded in knowledge, community and care. 

Kookum Karen Courchene congratulates Desiree Morrisseau-Keesick, 2025 staff honouree, at the blanketing ceremony.

Honoured Indigenous graduates in ceremony and community

The 36th Annual Traditional Graduation Pow Wow brought community together to celebrate the academic achievements of First Nations, Métis and Inuit graduates. This cherished gathering uplifted the accomplishments of over 470 Indigenous students graduating this year, while honouring cultural traditions, community connection and student leadership.

Indigenous graduates receive their stoles at the 36th Graduation Pow Wow.

Keeping space for healing, learning and action in honour of MMIWG2S+

The UM community joined the national movement to honour Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ Peoples. Through ceremony, storytelling and research, events invited reflection while calling the campus to ongoing responsibility and action.

Marked 10 years of stewarding truth at the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation

Ten years ago, Survivors’ testimonies, sacred items and archival records from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) of Canada found a permanent home at the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR) at UM. As the host of the NCTR, UM goes beyond just keeping records safe; we’re a partner in advancing truth and reconciliation through education, research and community-led initiatives.

Elders, Survivors and supporters gather outside the NCTR for its opening in November 2015.

Strengthened campus identity by expanding UM’s iconic bison herd

We added new layers of creativity and authenticity to the herd with two new Indigenous-designed bison illustrations by artists Peatr Thomas and Jordan Stranger. More than a symbol, they carry stories of strength, resilience and belonging—values shared across the UM community. Stay tuned for two more illustrations in 2026!

Welcomed nearly 400 future learners at the New Buffalo Education Gathering

For the third year, the New Buffalo Education Gathering welcomed nearly 400 Indigenous high school students to campus. The event strengthened pathways to post-secondary education through connection, encouragement and community-driven support.

Two high school students smile before lunch at the New Buffalo Education Gathering.

Honoured 50 years of Indigenous Studies built through student advocacy

What began as a small student movement at UM in the early 1970s is now the heart of Indigenous academics and research in Western Canada. 50 years ago, a small group of Indigenous students at the University of Manitoba made their voices heard — demanding their languages, histories and ways of knowing be recognized. Their courage built what is now the Department of Indigenous Studies: a space for scholarship, resurgence and community. Generations later, their legacy continues.

Elders honoured with star blankets at Indigenous Studies 50th anniversary celebration.

Centered community relationships through Researching in Good Ways

Community is at the forefront of research with the launch of Researching in Good Ways. This Indigenous-led initiative invites those involved in research with Indigenous communities to come together in respectful land reciprocal ways.

Secured $5 million to scale Indigenous innovation in education

A $5 million gift from the Mastercard Foundation positioned UM to sustain and accelerate post-secondary education for Indigenous young people, their families, their communities and beyond. The gift is part of the Foundation’s $235 million strategic investment to recognize organizations that are leaders in advancing education for Indigenous youth across Canada.  

Empowering the next generation of Indigenous leaders

Indigenous student leaders were celebrated as one leadership cohort completed their journey and another began. For more than a decade, programs like Bison Spirit and the Indigenous Circle of Empowerment have supported culturally grounded leadership rooted in listening, responsibility and community engagement.

Indigenous Leadership Programming students came together at the Leaf for a meaningful gathering celebrating Indigenous leadership and growth.

Progress with Respectful Rematriation and Repatriation Ceremony (RRRC)

The RRRC co-council made positive strides, hosting an All Nations ‘Bringing Our Ancestors Home’ Gathering, beginning of returning Ancestors in MB and another province, and commemorative art installed at UM Fort Garry campus.

Creating space for belonging through art

The growing collection of Indigenous-designed murals continues to shape how community members experience campus. These designs carry meaning that goes beyond aesthetics, inviting everyone on campus to engage with Indigenous art and worldviews in ways that are accessible, lasting and contribute to a sense of belonging.

Newest mural in the student residences on the Fort Garry campus by Jackie Traverse, Ojibway artist and UM alum.

…and so much more. From alumni making impact in community and beyond, to staff and faculty championing students, to Elders and Knowledge Keepers offering guidance and care—this work is carried by many hands. Together, the UM Indigenous Campus Community continues to build a space where Indigenous excellence, learning and belonging thrive.

Award-winning scholar and human being

Having started law school with a BA in Criminology Bunn settled into law’s challenging academic program as a John Mitchell Scholarship recipient, later receiving the Wendy Whitecloud Bursary in Law. “Both as a law student and fellow Dakota winyan (woman), Wendy is a tremendous inspiration to me,” Bunn wrote in a LinkedIn post. “As the first Indigenous female law professor at the Faculty of Law, Wendy is a trailblazer who paved the way for me and other Indigenous women pursuing careers in law.”

In her second year of law school, Bunn received First Peoples Law LLP’s Indigenous Law Student Scholarship.

In 2024, she was recognized as a CBC Future 40 recipient, an honour celebrating Manitoba’s new generation of leaders, builders, and change-makers under 40. “This recognition is not mine alone; it is shared with my family, my nation, and all the communities and organizations I am fortunate to serve and be part of,” Bunn wrote.

At the end of the year, she was named to Ace Burpee’s Top 100 most fascinating Manitobans of 2024.

Tréchelle Bun was presented with the King Charles III Coronation Medal in 2024. Source: LinkedIn.

The new year started with Bunn being named the 2025 Youth – First Nations Indspire Award Laureat, shortly followed with a most distinguished award: the King Charles III Coronation Medal, which recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to Canada and their respective provinces. “This recognition is a collective achievement, shared with my family, community, and all those who have supported me throughout my journey,” Bunn shared on social media about the Royal recognition.

This fall, Bunn was honoured with a University of Manitoba Distinguished Alumni Award in the Outstanding Alumni category.

She has spoken on countless panels and conferences, and gave a TEDx Fort Garry talk this past September. Most recently, she was selected to serve on Hockey Canada’s inaugural Indigenous Advisory Circle; spoke on Indspire’s National Education Gathering Youth Panel in Winnipeg; and was the keynote speaker for Sport Manitoba’s 2025 Sport Event Forum.

Truth and Reconciliation

On September 27, 2025, Bunn organized the 4^th Reconciliation Run in recognition of Canada’s National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (September 30). As it happens, the distance between the former Birtle Residential School Ruins in Birtle, Manitoba to the Birdtail Sioux First Nation equals a half marathon (21.1k), inspiring the transformation of what originally started out as a walk into a run. She explained to Dean Jochelson during an episode of the Robson Radio podcast, “The Reconciliation Run kind of started as a second iteration of what my family and community were calling a healing walk. These originally started on July 1^st, 2021 and it was sparked by the 215 discoveries of unmarked graves and Kamloops. Reflecting back on that time, it was a heavy time for Indigenous peoples and communities all across Turtle Island.”

Wishing to honour Residential School Survivors in their own community, she asked her parents what they could do. Their conversation reminded her of something her grandfather, whom she calls her Unkan Donald (“Unkan” meaning “grandfather” in Dakota) had shared with her years before: that when he was at the Birtle Residential school, he wanted nothing more than to run away and go home. “That’s when the thought connected,” she said. “Why don’t we go back to the former Birtle Residential School and run and walk home in honour of my Unkan Donald and all those who never got the chance to?”

Chief Tréchelle Bunn (far right) at the 4th Reconciliation Run with classmate Josh Gandier (3L) (left), and Elizabeth McCandless, Director of Clinics, Faculty of Law (middle).

The 2025 run saw about 150 attendees including runners, walkers, volunteers and community members with participating Faculty of Law community members including Elizabeth McCandless, Director of Clinics, Bunn’s 3L classmates Logan Nadeau, Joshua Gandier, (runners) and Kaitlyn Clarke (volunteer), and The Honourable Justice Alain Huberdeau of the Court of King’s Bench, who volunteered for a second year in a row. “The weather was beautiful, and it’s always amazing to see how far participants travel each year,” said Bunn. “We had runners join us again from Vancouver, and even some virtual participants from as far away as Australia!”

Solid Leadership

Upon starting law school, Bunn had already been moving in the world as a leader in both competitive hockey as a top player and coach, and as Southern Chief’s Organization Youth Chief. During summer break, 2024, Bunn represented 34 Anishinaabe and Dakota First Nations at the 17^thSession of the United Nations Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in Geneva, Switzerland. As part of a contingent of SCO Chiefs, she moderated the SCO panel on Self-Determination and Indigenous Health.

Bunn has been involved locally with the Manitoba Indigenous Law Students’ Association and its activities, but last spring, she modestly posted on her LinkedIn, “I’m happy to share that I’m starting a new position as Chief at Birdtail Sioux First Nation!”

Tréchelle Bunn in Geneva, Switzerland, where she moderated a panel at the 17th Session of the United Nations Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

Wait – what? Indeed, the 25-year-old second year law student had thrown her hat in the ring and ended up the successful candidate in her First Nation’s election. For the next four years, she will be in charge of overseeing the lives of many people living in the Birdtail Sioux First Nation. As UM professor and Free Press columnist Niigaan Sinclair wrote, she has her work cut out for her. Speaking with Chief Bunn last April after she finished exams, Dr. Richard Jochelson, Dean of Law, spoke to her about what lay ahead, raised that daunting situation. Bunn responded with a positive outlook, rather than with a sense of being intimidated, saying, “Yeah, I think Niigaan said I was ambitious. I do probably come across as ambitious and in terms of taking on this role at such a young age and also managing that with everything else I have going on. But I think there’s a lot of potential to do some really great, fantastic things in my community. And I know my community is excited to enter a new era, this new chapter together alongside me. So, I think that’s really exciting.”

Bunn fully recognized the challenges she was walking into as the new chief, but chose to look forward and rise to the challenge. She assured Jochelson that her legal training thus far would certainly be helpful. “The writing skills and critical thinking skills that have really been enhanced throughout my last two years in law school will be really important for me going forward. Even negotiations in my community and having community meetings and having those important conversations and, drafting band council resolutions and stuff like that.

“I think my experience through law school has really shaped that as one of my strengths that I think communication and the ability to be an effective communicator and writer. In terms of reintegrating traditional legal systems in my community, I think that’s definitely a priority.”

Recalling her years of hockey training, she realized the skills it taught her including time management and work ethic. “I’m not scared to put my head down and go to work and to grind things out,” she said. “I kind of mentioned it earlier, but I’ve never been really one to back down from a challenge. And I do enjoy a good challenge.”

Dr. Richard Jochelson, Dean of Law, records an episode of the Robson Radio podcast with Tréchelle Bunn, Chief of the Birdtail Sioux First Nation and a third-year law student at Robson Hall.

Listen to a complete conversation with Tréchelle Bunn about her extraordinary year with Dr. Richard Jochelson and Christine Mazur on the Robson Radio Podcast.

At 33 years old, the Red River Métis woman with three small children knew she was taking on a major challenge.

“I needed a good career to support my kids,” she remembers. “I was determined.”

This year, all the determination that McDonald has brought to improving Indigenous wellness was recognized with an Indspire Award – the highest national honour in the Indigenous community.

From the beginning, she had a passion for serving communities. “Community, population and public health are the core to good health and wellness,” she says.

McDonald, who grew up in Winnipeg, entered UM through the Access Program, which provides Indigenous students with academic, personal and cultural supports that she found invaluable.

After completing her bachelor of arts, she became one of five Indigenous students in her UM medical school class. The five were “adopted” by the team at the Northern Medical Unit (now Ongomiizwin – Health Services).

“They gave us a place to study and created opportunities for us to gain experiences and build community. That really set me on the path to work in Indigenous health,” McDonald says.

“I finished medical school through all the challenges, including the overt racism in the health-care system.”

That Indigenous-specific racism must be confronted, she says.

“How do you treat that scared mom with a sick child at Children’s Emergency in the middle of the night? Is there shaming and blaming? Are there assumptions that they’re using drugs and alcohol, or that there’s an abusive situation going on?

“We have a responsibility to call it out for what it is, and work to make change.”

After completing her medical degree in 1998, McDonald did postgraduate training in community medicine and psychiatry.

Now retired in Victoria, she spent most of her career in British Columbia, attaining leadership positions such as executive director of Aboriginal health at the B.C. Ministry of Health and chief medical officer at the province’s First Nations Health Authority.

Her work ranged from advancing anti-racism in health care to addressing the opioid crisis in First Nations communities.

“As an Indigenous woman, I could connect with people who wanted traditional medicines, or wanted an Elder to visit, or just wanted somebody who understood what was going on with them,” she says.

“Indigenous health and wellness are about relationship and respect. It’s about working together with common goals. That’s how we worked on developing the First Nations Health Authority in B.C. – through one meeting at a time, one insight at a time, finding barriers and ways to move over or around them, or to create new pathways without barriers.”

Better Indigenous health care starts with compassion, McDonald says.

“As health professionals, we have a responsibility to welcome people with care and consideration.

“Transformative change needs to happen at a political level, but it also needs to happen at the bedside. We need to get past the fear and ignorance and just care about people.”

Read more about the Indspire Awards: https://indspire.ca/events/indspire-awards/.

“It was one of my most memorable experiences,” she told Indigenous high school students at the University of Manitoba (UM) New Buffalo Education Gathering. “Some of the things that they discussed are things that I think of to this day.”

It’s that kind of insight the Indigenous Student Recruitment and Community Relations team (ISRCR) strives to provide prospective post-secondary students through its annual event. Now in its third year, the gathering drew 382 high school students to UM’s south Winnipeg campus on Nov. 14, 2025.

“Every time, in my first year, I faced a challenge, I just thought of them and I saw how far they came,” added Bushie.

“It reminded me that as Indigenous students we’re so capable, and we have it in us to do so much for our communities. I think that was so empowering for me.” — Aliyhia Bushie, science major, Hollow Water First Nation

Left: Ashely Sinclair and Aliyhia Bushie share their experiences with the students. Right: UM Resident Kookum Karen Courchene talks about the importance of education while Desiree Morrisseau looks on.

The gathering is the brainchild of Desiree Morrisseau, Director of ISRCR and member Grassy Narrows First Nations with maternal ties to Crane River.

Morrisseau introduced seven team members who helped produce the gathering that includes information on academic programs, tours of the student residences and campus, and resources and strategies for safety and self-care.

“Yup, a round of applause for them,” agreed Morrisseau, as the crowd clapped and cheered. “It takes a community to put on an event like this.”

Karen Courchene, the “Kookum”- or grandmother-in-residence at UM’s Indigenous Student Centre, said the event is based on a now-famous quote from Indigenous scholar Blair Stonechild that “education is the new buffalo”.

“The buffalo once sustained the Plains Nations’ people with food, shelter and tools,” explained Courchene, a member of Sagkeeng First Nation. “They gave the people everything they needed to survive and to thrive.

“Well, like the buffalo,” Courchene added, “education now sustains First Nation, Métis and Inuit people with knowledge, opportunity and empowerment.”

But, it’s a big step to follow the buffalo like their ancestors did, suggested Morrisseau, so the gathering would help them map their journey.

Nearly 400 Indigenous high school students attended the third-annual New Buffalo event.

“This event is for prospective Indigenous students – to welcome you because you deserve a seat at the table, you deserve to be here, you deserve to be seen,” she said. “And we want you to know that there is such a large, welcoming Indigenous community on campus, and we want you here as a student if you choose.”

However, the team is careful not to pressure students into attending UM, the largest post-secondary institution in the province with more than 3,200 Indigenous students, over other options. It may host the event, but encourages aspiring students to make their own decisions.

“One of the things that our team is really big on is ethical recruitment,” said Morrisseau. “So if you don’t know what ethical means –  ethical is making sure that you do things in a good way.

“We want you to succeed wherever your heart sends you. When you succeed, we succeed.”

But that didn’t stop Ethan Temmerman, a kinesiology student from Ebb and Flow First Nation, from putting in a good-natured plug for UM as part of a presentation by senior students.

“The main thing that sets this university apart from the other universities – and will be relevant to people in this room – is the supports,” Temmerman said. “From what I can gather at the other universities, there is a lot less support for Indigenous students. Whereas, here, it is almost overwhelming how many Indigenous supports there are.

“I felt very supported in my first year.”

Students have fun colouring Indigenous-inspired artwork.

Hearing that kind of testimonial and watching the students take it in, made Vanessa Lillie’s day.

“New Buffalo is Desiree’s dream,” said Lillie, UM’s Director of Cultural Integration,“and she made it come to life with really just sheer determination and willpower – and an amazing team.

“I have been here every year, and it has just grown and grown,” said Lillie, who has roots in Peguis First Nation. “To see so many Indigenous students interested in attending post-secondary is just phenomenal and makes my heart so happy.

“I never had this chance when I was young and I wish that I would have.”

Born from the work of the TRC and release of the TRC’s 94 Calls to Action, the NCTR is a permanent place of learning and dialogue where the truths of the residential school experience are honoured and kept safe for future generations.  

Elders, Survivors and supporters gather outside the NCTR for its opening in November 2015.

As host of the NCTR, UM is more than a safekeeper of records, it is a partner in advancing truth and Reconciliation through education, research and community-led initiatives. To reflect on this milestone, we turn to the voices of those who have helped shape the NCTR and its deep connection to UM over the past decade.

“When the NCTR was first established, we knew this work would be generational. Over the past decade, we’ve seen how truth-telling is healing and creates space for real change. It has been humbling to witness Survivors guide and inspire a shared path forward,” said Stephanie Scott, Executive Director at the NCTR and Associate Vice President (Indigenous) Reconciliation at UM. “Ten years later, our responsibility remains the same, to honour the truths Survivors continue to share and ensure their voices are heard.”

Survivors, Elders, NCTR and UM leadership and government officials at the ceremonial sod turning at the future grounds of the NCTR.

Honouring the past as we look to the future

With this milestone anniversary, we honour the Survivors who have shared their truths and guided us to where we are today. Their courage continues to light the path forward.

“At UM, we carry the trust of Survivors the Indigenous community, and all Canadians. This trust is reflected in our commitment to preserving and sharing the documented truths of the residential school experience. These truths support ongoing learning for students, faculty and the entire university community,” says Angie Bruce, Vice-President (Indigenous).

As we look to the next generation, she reminds us of the impact on future leaders. “The impact of our future generation is huge as they have the invaluable opportunity to engage with truth and Reconciliation in deeply personal and meaningful ways. Whether through visits to the NCTR, participation in ceremony or learning directly from Survivors.”

This is a place where learning is guided by Indigenous voices and where students can take part in research and opportunities that honour those truths. These experiences help shape future leaders who carry this work forward.

Education is key

For 10 years, Kaila Johnston has been part of the team shaping how the NCTR delivers educational programming across the country, and right here at the Fort Garry Campus. Currently serving as Director of Education she says the NCTR is a living resource for students and faculty across disciplines.

Kaila Johnston, Director of Education & Public Programming at the NCTR

“Students can book the space anytime—for study groups using meeting rooms or the gallery,” shares Johnston. “We have a non-circulating library and archivists who help researchers learn to use the database. We host open houses, lunch-hour lecture series and online courses, which faculty and students can join anytime,” she explains.

Johnston underscores both the progress and the ongoing challenges of Reconciliation in academic spaces, reflecting on the unique responsibility UM carries as host of the NCTR.

“First, I want to emphasize that UM is the only university in Canada that formally apologized for training teachers who went into residential schools. The President [Barnard] gave that apology in 2011. But Reconciliation has no end point, you have to renew your commitment every year. As Justice Murray Sinclair said, ‘Education is what got us into this mess and education is key to getting us out of it.’”

Remembering Honourable Justice Murray Sinclair

Honourable Justice Murray Sinclair. Photo by Ian McCausland.

As we reflect on 10 years of truth-telling and healing, we also pause to honour the man whose courage and conviction made it possible, the late Honourable Justice Murray Sinclair [LLB/79, LLD/02] (Mazina Giizhik-iban — the One Who Speaks of Pictures in the Sky).

“Justice Murray Sinclair gifted us so many teachings and ideas that continue to guide our Reconciliation journey, and our university is committed to honouring his legacy,” says Michael Benarroch, President and Vice-Chancellor. “His leadership helped create NCTR, and it is our university’s great privilege to help build a new, permanent home for NCTR—one that reflects Survivors’ vision and helps NCTR fulfill its mission and mandate. Like Justice Sinclair’s work, this new home will be a beacon to the world, guiding us in the essential work of understanding our true history so that we can advance Reconciliation.”

As Commissioner of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, the Honourable Justice Murray Sinclair led efforts to gather more than 6,500 testimonies from residential school Survivors, resulting in the landmark 94 Calls to Action that continue to guide Canada’s journey toward Reconciliation.

Students leading the way in Reconciliation

Logan Nadeau, former Education Coordinator at the NCTR, continues his studies in the Faculty of Law at UM. Currently in his final year of the Juris Doctor program, Nadeau says he feels deeply connected to the NCTR, which sits just steps away from the Faculty of Law building.

Logan Nadeau attending the Anishinaabemowin Star Wars premiere at the Centennial Concert Hall.

As Nadeau transitioned from his role at NCTR into his first year of law school, he says he remained overwhelmingly inspired by the work of the NCTR. “The NCTR fueled my drive to pursuing a law degree so that I could become the best representative I could for my people.”

Harnessing this inspiration, Nadeau introduced an important tradition of ensuring all first-year law students visit the NCTR on their very first day of class.

For Nadeau, introducing this practice is about informing his new peers of the history of Canada’s Residential School System—grounding future lawyers in truth and the responsibilities of Reconciliation before they enter the field.

He says it also deepens his own understanding of what Reconciliation looks like in action, “Working at the NCTR fulfilled my need to become more involved with the community both at the University of Manitoba and in the city of Winnipeg.”

A pivotal time, a sacred place, a permanent legacy

As the NCTR marks its first decade, attention is turning to its future. The NCTR is preparing to move into a new permanent home on lands returned to Survivors by UM.

“The generosity of our funders and allies, and our partnership with the University of Manitoba have all been a vital part in helping us carry this sacred responsibility. Together, we now look ahead to building the Centre’s new home—a place where learning, research and community will continue to center the truths of Survivors and preserve their powerful legacy entrusted to us,” says Scott.

This space will be an international attraction where history and Indigenous cultures come to life, offering room for archives, programming and community gatherings.

“The NCTR has grown so much since its inception from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. From modest spaces at the U of M’s Research Road to its foundation at Chancellor’s Hall, the NCTR now plants root in a space that will allow its mandate to flourish and its influence to grow into the future,” Nadeau shares.

The new home of the NCTR will offer a safe and welcoming space for Survivors, families and visitors to share knowledge, find healing and reconnect. It will also create more opportunities for students, staff, faculty and the wider community to come together, strengthening NCTR’s role as a national and international leader in truth and Reconciliation.

What’s your commitment to truth and Reconciliation?

The anniversary calls on all of us to reflect on what it means to have such a significant place for truth-telling, learning and healing right here on campus, as well as the collective responsibility we share. The work of Reconciliation is ongoing, and it belongs to every one of us.

Scott reminds us that we all have a role in addressing truth and Reconciliation.

“As with any enduring partnership, there are moments that test our shared resolve. In those times, we must continue to stand together, steadfast in truth, united in purpose, and unwavering in our commitment to confront denialism and uphold Survivors’ truths.”

For more:

To learn more about the NCTR and available programming, visit their website.

Read the 94 Calls to Action.

To learn more about UM’s commitment to truth and Reconciliation, explore the Truth and Reconciliation Framework webpage.

Elder Norman Meade (left), Grandfather-in-residence Wanbdi Wakita (right) and Carla Loewen (middle), director of the Indigenous Student Centre wearing t-shirts with Thomas’ design.

UM is expanding its iconic bison herd with four new illustrations created by local Indigenous artists that will be released throughout the 2025/26 school year, each adding new layers of creativity and authenticity to the herd. The first to be released was a striking design titled “Nîpîy Iskôtêw – Water Fire” by Ininew (Swampy Cree) and Anishinabe (Ojibwe) artist Peatr Thomas.

This initiative is a true act of collaboration. UM’s Office of the Vice-President (Indigenous) partnered with the Strategic Marketing and Communications unit to commission and champion the new designs. Through thoughtful consultations, members of the UM Indigenous community were invited to participate in the process and offered feedback on initial artist concepts, helping ensure the expanded herd reflects both artistic vision and shared storytelling from community voice.

“The bison is a sacred relative for Indigenous Peoples; one that represents strength, survival and kinship,” says Angie Bruce, Vice-President (Indigenous). “By inviting Indigenous artists to expand UM’s herd, and by listening to the Indigenous campus community throughout the process, we are honouring those teachings while celebrating Indigenous excellence in a very visible way. These bison will remind our community that we move forward together, grounded in both tradition and innovation.”

Elevator on 2nd Floor of Brodie Centre (across from Library entrance).

Launched in 2022, UM’s “What Kind of Bison Are You?” student recruitment campaign introduced a bold collection of illustrated bison, each reflecting the diversity and individuality of our campus to a prospective student audience.

While every illustration carries its own unique energy, together they form a powerful herd—now central to UM’s brand expression. The bison have extended beyond student recruitment to represent our entire community of students, staff, faculty and alumni. Ever-evolving and expanding, the herd is built to grow … just like the university it represents.

Now, that vision is inspired into action.

Inspiring the future by honouring the past

For First Nations and Métis people across the prairies, the bison is more than an animal. It is a relative and a teacher. It sustained communities for generations providing food, shelter, tools and carrying spiritual teachings. The expansion of UM’s herd evokes survival, renewal and collective memory.

“Nîpîy Iskôtêw–Water Fire” bison illustration by Peatr Thomas, Ininew (Swampy Cree) and Anishinabe (Ojibwe) artist, entrepreneur and youth workshop facilitator.

“In Anishinaabe culture, the Bison represents Respect. It also teaches us that nothing should be wasted—its entire being was used with purpose, embodying values of sustainability and gratitude. May we walk with the same awareness, and respect for the world around us,” says Thomas in his artist’s statement.

His bison, “Nîpîy Iskôtêw – Water Fire,” reflects these teachings through its layered design and symbolic elements. His statement continues:

“This piece represents the Bison as a sacred, resilient being—one that has sustained generations and remains a symbol of strength, sustainability and guidance. The blue eyes reflect water, speaking to the Bison’s deep connection to the land and importance of water for all life. The orange Spirit lines flow through and around the Bison, representing protection and guidance, while also visualizing the connections between body, spirit and the land.”

“Buffalo Teachings” bison illustration by Jordan Stranger, Anishinaabe artist and graphic designer.

Drawing on life experiences and teachings, Stranger’s design, “Buffalo Teachings,” carries positive life lessons that strengthen UM’s herd:

“Paskwawi-mostos have been a major part of my life since I was a child. I care for a red buffalo skull as I am a Sundancer. It has taught me and my family many positive life lessons. When we are in need of guidance we look to the animals and the land. I hope when someone looks at this design it inspires something good in them. Ekosi.”

In 2026, two more Indigenous artists will contribute their voices to the herd, ensuring UM’s bison symbol continues to evolve with both tradition and innovation. Stay tuned to see the new bison and learn about the artists’ interpretations.

Just as bison once roamed the prairies together, UM’s herd reflects the student, faculty, staff, alum and community partner collective journey … inspired by possibility and moving forward together toward a stronger future.

The opening gathering brought together students, staff, faculty, and community members to mark the occasion. The event included opening remarks and a smudge led by Knowledge Keeper Barb Blind (Brandon University), followed by a community beading circle that invited conversation and connection. The afternoon also featured the unveiling of a new mural by artist Mike Valcourt, adding a powerful visual presence to the space and reflecting the values of creativity, storytelling, and cultural continuity.

Designed as a welcoming and supportive hub within the School of Art, the Indigenous Student Space offers a place for Indigenous students to gather, study, rest, and connect with Elders and Knowledge Keepers. The space is intended to support both everyday student needs and future programming that centres Indigenous ways of knowing, making, and being.

The ISS came together through the efforts of many contributors across the School of Art and the broader university community. Special thanks are extended to Katherine Boyer, Dr. Suzanne McLeod, and Lori Blondeau for their leadership, guidance, and sustained commitment throughout the development of the space.

Students are encouraged to stop by, say hello, and spend time in the space. More programming and events will be announced in the coming weeks.

For inquiries, please contact: soaindigenous@umanitoba.ca

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Department of Indigenous Studies – a milestone born from courage, resilience and vision.

“Today, we are not only celebrating,” said Department Head Lorena Fontaine at the recently held 50th anniversary celebration. “We are also remembering a history born out of pain. This department exists because students refused to be ignored.”

Lorena Fontaine, Head of the Department of Indigenous Studies

Her words carried the room back half a century – to the moment when a small group of Indigenous students decided that their languages, laws and histories deserved a place in the university.

Their voices would ultimately reshape the institution.

Pictured here are the founding members of the Indigenous Manitoba Engineering Student Association (IMESA). Front row, left to right: Reg Blackbird, Public Relations; Ovide Mercredi, President; Albert Stevens, Vice-President. Second row, left to right: Emile Garson, Committee Chairman; Yvonne Monkman, Secretary; John Allooloo, Member.

1970s–1980s — Carving space out of Silence

In 1970, the University of Manitoba – located on the original lands of the Anishinaabeg, Cree, Oji-Cree, Dakota and Dene peoples, and on the National Homeland of the Red River Métis – had more than 13,000 students, but fewer than 50 were Indigenous.

They learned about “exploration” and “civilization,” yet rarely did classroom lessons include Indigenous perspectives or experiences.

In 1971, a racist article published in The Cursor, the engineering student newspaper, became the catalyst. Eleven students from the Faculties of Arts and Education formed the Indian, Métis and Eskimo Student Association (IMESA), demanding accountability and change.

“We had no textbooks, no mentors, no role models,” remembered Ovide Mercredi , then IMESA president. “All we had was each other – and one belief: our voices belonged here.”

UM held its first campus pow wow in 1972. Since then, Indigenous graduates have had the opportunity each year to celebrate their academic achievements and excellence at the annual Grad Pow Wow.

In 1972, UM held its first campus pow wow. Three years later, the Department of Native Studies was formally established – the second of its kind in Canada. “That day, we were no longer guests,” said Mercredi. “We had truly come home.”

In 1982, the department faced closure due to budget cuts. It survived only because Professor Emma LaRocque, alongside students and community allies, organized petitions and public appeals.

“We had to prove, again and again, that our existence mattered. If we had stayed silent, this department would not exist today.” — Professor Emma LaRocque

Left: Professor Emma LaRocque

1990s–2020s — From the margins to the mainstream

By the 1990s, the department launched one of the first master’s programs of its kind in Canada, later expanding to the PhD level and becoming a national leader in Indigenous graduate research and studies.

In 2021, the Faculty of Arts introduced the Indigenous content degree requirement, calling for all Arts undergraduate students to complete at least three credit hours of Indigenous course content in their studies to graduate with a Bachelor of Arts degree. Members of the Indigenous Studies department have been instrumental in developing, evaluating and delivering the courses which cover a variety of areas of study such as history, political science, sociology and women’s and gender studies.

The requirement seeks to give every future graduate an understanding of the place of Indigenous people in Manitoba’s and Canada’s history, and how that is woven into contemporary society, especially our workplaces. Since it has been introduced, other Faculties at UM have also implemented the requirement.

At the 50th anniversary celebration, the Department of Indigenous Studies gathered in Marshall McLuhan Hall with alumni, friends and long-time supporters.

Today, more than 3,200 Indigenous students are studying at the University of Manitoba. Across the university, 127 students – both Indigenous and non-Indigenous – are pursuing majors or minors in Indigenous Studies, Indigenous Governance or Indigenous Language programs.

The Department of Indigenous Studies has continued to expand its academic offerings. In addition to degrees in Indigenous Studies and Indigenous Governance, the department delivers a range of language courses, including two new micro-diplomas in Anishinaabemowin and Cree that support language learning and revitalization.

Regular colloquia and international conferences also create spaces for scholars, students and community members from around the world to gather, exchange ideas and learn together.

Faculty members take pride in the diverse accomplishments of their graduates, who can be found in every field – from health care, education, business and the arts to public service, law and counselling.

Professor Niigaan Sinclair

“Without the Department of Indigenous Studies, none of what exists today would have been possible – not the Indigenous Student Centre, not the Vice-President (Indigenous), not the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation,” said Professor Niigaan Sinclair. “All Indigenous progress at UM has grown from here.”

He also spoke about the deeper purpose behind studying Indigenous Studies.

“Don’t let fear guide your life; let love guide it. Taking Indigenous Studies is an act of love – not just for Indigenous peoples, but for this country.”

Alumni, faculty and friends reunited to honour five decades of Indigenous scholarship—some embraced after years apart, while the new generation carried the spirit forward.

The future — The drum continues

Today, generations of Indigenous scholars are following the paths their mentors cleared – continuing to learn, research and create on their own land and in their own classrooms.

Sarah Hourie, Métis scholar, Assistant Professor in City Planning and PhD candidate in Indigenous Studies, said: “I was very excited to take my own language… through the Indigenous Studies department, through a lot of hard work through people who came before me.”

Adrienne Huard, Anishinaabe Two-Spirit curator, writer and Instructor in the department, also a panelist at the 50th anniversary celebration, added: “Our bodies and our art are archives. Every performance is telling the world – our very existence is knowledge.”

From left to right: Elder Carl Stone, Adrienne Huard, Rhianda Redhead and Sarah Hourie.

As the celebration drew to a close, Elder Carl Stone honoured Mercredi, Moses Okimaw, Edwin Jebb, LaRocque and Sinclair with a song.

“Everything that I know about me, and the love I have for myself, the knowledge I have about my people and the love that I have for my people, came from my own people,” he said, pausing as his eyes filled with tears.

Beyond the hall, the rhythm of the drum continued on a new platform.

First-year Indigenous Studies student Rhianda Redhead took over the UM Indigenous social-media account that day, writing in her closing post:

“It was an unforgettable afternoon – we’ve come so far from our ‘humble’ beginnings, and we’ll keep moving forward.”

In that moment, the drum and the words resonated together.

Fifty years of echoes became a new beginning. From resistance to resurgence, from the margins to the centre, the Department of Indigenous Studies continues to write its living story – a true House of Knowledge for all.

Renewal: Indigenous Perspectives on Land-Based Education In and Beyond the Classroom is the second book from editors Christine M’Lot and Katya Ferguson Adamov. The book features diverse written and visual works created by Indigenous leaders, land defenders, scholars and Knowledge Keepers to help in connecting with Indigenous perspectives on land and water.

“The goal is that a teacher can pick up this book and start to think about land-based education not as something separate from ‘education’ but as something interwoven into the whole scope,” says Rice.

M’Lot says that since the earliest stages of the book’s development, Rice has been involved. Rice, who taught M’Lot and Ferguson Adamov during his career in education, acted as a consultant for the book. He assisted in collecting and reviewing submissions.

Dr. Brian Rice (left) and Dr. Dan Henhawk during an Introduction to Outdoor and Land-Based Recreation class

A career at the forefront of land-based learning

Much of Rice’s career has been spent at the forefront of land-based education, which examines human relationships to the outdoors through Indigenous ways of knowing. His dissertation even involved walking over 700 miles through Rotinonshonni territory.

“Everything is based on older concepts of living off the land, the environment, nature and the cosmos,” says Rice. “But I think it’s the first time we actually have a real book that gives a perspective on what land-based education is today and what it means to us today and why we’re doing it.”

Translating theory into accessible content

For Henhawk, exploring his work in a more practical sense became the most challenging part of the process. He says so much of his own research exists in a “philosophical space” and is geared towards post-secondary and academic researchers, that he had to shift his thinking for the context of the book.

“It was challenging but it was also rewarding, and I think the book that they put together with all the different authors is really great,” says Henhawk. “It’s going to be a valuable resource.”

Nicki Ferland, Director of Land Based Education and Indigenous Curriculum

Ferland’s contribution to the book is more personal. She says her work is a personal essay about her experience growing up with a rural upbringing, and how moving to the city impacted her sense of belonging as a young Métis person.

M’Lot, who is an Anishinaabe educator, curriculum developer and consultant, says both editors hope the book makes approaching the topics of Indigenous land-based education more accessible, given obstacles like time and resources that teachers face day-to-day.

“Land-based education is a way of teaching and learning that works for all learners,” says Ferland. “It supports learners’ observational and interpretation skills, problem-solving, independence, and critical inquiry and reflection.”

A resource for reconciliation

Renewal was released on the heels of the 10-year anniversary of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s report on the history and lasting impacts of the residential school system. Henhawk says many people are still struggling with those calls to action and figuring out how to implement change, but this book might help open discussions.

“It’s all tied together, reconciliation and sustainability,” says Henhawk. “If people can even just recognize some of the histories of colonization and their impact on Indigenous peoples and the environment, then there’s a pathway forward.”

Rice says interest in Indigenous land-based education is spreading across the country, but he doesn’t think anyone is doing it quite like UM. He says that the way the university has implemented it throughout its faculty and departments is something very special.

Attend the launch event

Rice will be participating in a panel discussion to celebrate the launch of the book on October 30 in the Atrium of McNally Robison Booksellers. The event will also be available as YouTube stream.

Date: Thurs, October 30
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Atrium of McNally Robinson Booksellers, 4000-1120 Grant Ave, Winnipeg, MB R3M 2A6
More information: Book Launch

She will give a lecture and poetry reading — a conversation about language, memory and presence — marking her first visit to Winnipeg. The event will take place on Thursday, October 16 at 4:00 p.m. in the John A. Russell Atrium.

Professor Christine Stewart from the Faculty of Arts, Department of Women’s and Gender Studies, who helped organize the event, says she hopes the UM community will discover what has inspired her for years in Tohe’s work —

“the blend of beauty, heartache and grit that her poetry carries.” 

Laura Tohe reciting poem at Navajo Code Talker Day in Window Rock, AZ.

Poetry and decoding 

Dr. Laura Tohe is a poet, scholar and the Poet Laureate Emerita of the Navajo Nation (2015–2025). Her father was among the Navajo Code Talkers of World War II—those who used their language to transmit military intelligence that the enemy could never decipher.

Tohe believes that reading and appreciating poetry is, at its heart, a process of decoding. The beauty of a poem lies in how imagery, metaphor, musicality and context weave together — much like the Navajo Code Talkers who used familiar words to carry meanings far beyond the literal. 

In one story, Tohe recalls a coded message that read “horses were dying.” Japanese cryptographers took it at face value, unaware that its real meaning had nothing to do with horses. 

“Indigenous writers, including myself, use metaphorical testimonies and cultural memories to carry the context of a painful and complicated history.” 

Laura Tohe interview with Sam Akee, Navajo Code Talker and his wife.

Language as weapon, language as memory 

The story of the Code Talkers deepened Tohe’s understanding of language’s power. Those men turned their mother tongue into a code that saved lives — a language reborn in the military, one that “was never deciphered by enemy combatants.” 

Yet in peacetime, that same language was silenced. In residential schools it was forbidden, shamed and nearly erased from classrooms and memory. Tohe notes that the U.S. Department of Defense recently removed the names of the Code Talkers from its website in the name of “diversity, equity and inclusion” — erasing once more those who had defended the nation through their own words. 

“Language is fragile; it can be forgotten if it’s not passed on or spoken,” Tohe said. 

Left: Laura Tohe at the 2019 American Indian Festival of Words & Writers Award.
Right: Laura Tohe printing her poem “Map Songs of the Sandhill Cranes.“

From individual to collective renewal 

In Tohe’s work, language is constantly reborn — from page to score, from line to stage. She calls this transformation a “rebirthing” of words and images, allowing poetry to live on through sound, movement and performance. 

Her librettos Enemy Slayer and Nahasdzáán in the Glittering World have invited many Indigenous students and audiences to experience opera for the first time. Nahasdzáán in the Glittering World was later performed in several cities across France, drawing audiences who were perhaps familiar with poetry but not with Indigenous works rooted in Navajo storytelling. 

Through these collaborations, Indigenous storytelling finds new spaces to be heard and felt. At the close of the interview, Tohe reflected,

“Contemporary Indigenous writers are revitalizing endangered tribal languages through initiatives such as the Language Back movement and other creative programs, making visible once again the languages and arts that sustain Indigenous lives and communities.”

Event information

Come experience Laura Tohe’s poetry in person on October 16 at 4:00 p.m. and witness how language continues to carry memory and meaning across generations. Add to your calendar!

• Date: Thursday, October 16, 2025, 4:00 p.m. 
• Location: John A. Russell Atrium (84 Curry Place)
• Format: Free and open to the public 

For more information, please contact Christine Stewart (christine.stewart@umanitoba.ca).