Culture & Community Experience

Indigenous Orientation is more than a welcome, it’s a vibrant celebration of identity, learning and belonging. From the moment the event begins, students will be encircled in a welcoming atmosphere filled with cultural activities, entertainment and opportunities to build lasting connections.

Interactive stations will offer a wide range of experiences:

• Academic, cultural, and leadership resource booths
• Traditional games and tipi activities
• A registry bus and a status card clinic
• A photo booth and vendor market

Between 11:00 a.m. and noon, a special visit from Prairie Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre will offer a unique moment of connection with the natural world, a reminder of the deep ties between Indigenous cultures and the land. Live entertainment starts at 11:30 a.m., bringing music and energy into the space.

 “Indigenous Orientation Day is a time to explore groups and opportunities that UM has to offer and find your potential place on campus,” says Lauren Hallett (she/they), a Community Health Sciences student. “To build a village, you have to be a villager.”

Connection, Support & Spiritual Balance

The event is designed to support students holistically, mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually as they begin or continue their academic journey. Shelley’s Bistro will serve a free lunch at noon inside Migizii Agamik, offering a chance to share a meal and stories in a space built for gathering and reflection.

A meaningful activity that day will be the Orange Shirt origami making led by Kookum Karen. This hands-on activity invites participants to fold paper shirts in honour of Orange Shirt Day and the children affected by residential schools. It’s a quiet yet powerful way to reflect on Truth and Reconciliation and carry that spirit into the academic year.

“Indigenous Orientation is about helping students, whether first year or returning, to find mental, physical, emotional and/or spiritual balance in their personal life as they set out to achieve their educational goals,” shares Norman Meade, Elder-in-Residence.

Everyone Is Welcome: Join the Celebration

As the afternoon unfolds, lawn games and tipi activities will be available all day inviting students to relax, play and engage with one another in a spirit of joy and togetherness. There will also be scheduled tours of Migizii Agamik at 11:30 a.m. and again at 1:30 p.m. as well at 1:30 p.m., the final call will be made for students to complete their Passport Game cards, a fun and interactive way to explore the event and earn a beautifully designed Indigenous UM Bison t-shirt.

“This is an exciting event for the Indigenous Student Centre as it kicks off a lot of our programming,” says Carla Loewen, Director of the Indigenous Student Centre. “It’s also a time for the campus community to welcome everyone to the new academic year.”

Everyone, Indigenous and non-Indigenous students, staff and faculty is warmly invited to attend. Whether you’re seeking academic support, cultural connection or simply a place to belong, Indigenous Orientation is your gateway to the vibrant and welcoming Indigenous community at UM.

So, mark your calendar, bring your curiosity, and come ready to connect. Your village is waiting.

It’s a full-circle moment for Karen, transitioning from being a student at UM to now serving as a Grandmother-in-Residence, where she will engage with students in a non-classroom setting. UM Today had the opportunity to interview Karen to learn more about her and what drew her back to UM.

UM Today: Please tell us about yourself.

“I want to introduce myself using my traditional name, which is Blue Thunder Cloud. I’m from the Bear Clan, and it is really important to me to use that name first and foremost because we are coming into a colonized space and that was my birthright, which I never had. But now, I have it, so that’ll be the first name that I always use. My name is Karen Courchene. I’m from Sagkeeng First Nation and got married, then transferred to Peguis First Nation. I am a teacher by trade. I’ve been in the classroom for over 30 years and I’m currently living in Winnipeg. This opportunity presented itself and allowed me to still work with students, but without being in a classroom. I’m looking forward to that – I love working with students; that was always the best part of being a teacher. So here I am, getting the best of both worlds. I’ve had an opportunity to learn a little bit, and now I can come to support students on their journey at this university.”

UM Today: What made you want to pursue post-secondary education and work with young students?

“When I was growing up, the community I’m from was deeply impacted by residential schools. I attended a residential school, but I was always a good student and fit in well with the education system. School was always easy for me. My parents, aunts, and uncles had dreams and hopes that their children would have opportunities that weren’t open to them. They foresaw a bright future for me and said, “She’s going to go to university, she’s going to get her master’s degree.” I must have taken it to heart as a child. When I turned 18, I graduated from high school and went to university. I pursued a Bachelor of Arts and then a Bachelor of Education at UM. I graduated with my Bachelor of Arts in 1983 and my Bachelor of Education in 1987. Since then, I have been a teacher.”

UM Today: What kind of supports will you be offering to students?

“I am still learning about my job and the kind of support I will be offering to students. One thing I want to do is to support students by listening to the challenges they are facing on their academic journey. My vision for this place is to create a supportive space where students can come to get encouragement and refill their spirits before they go out to their various faculties. I understand how challenging these academic environments can be, and I want to provide a community that supports and uplifts students. I think we may need to have a women’s circle, similar to the men’s circle, as I believe in the power of sitting in a circle for healing and finding one’s voice. I also plan to organize luncheons and support events related to our traditional cultural practices, as I believe in the healing power of our cultural traditions.”

UM Today: A final message from Karen on advice for Indigenous students.

“One of the things that has impressed me the most about the students I’ve met is how proud of them I already feel. As I see them navigating through their experiences, I see them developing their voices, becoming strong advocates, and paving the way for those who will follow. Some people preceded me at this university, and they laid down a path for me to follow. Hopefully, I’ve been able to widen that path a little for those who come after me. Now, I see these students making that path even wider. I know there are still challenges, but I’m truly impressed by the voices that students have and by what they’re doing on campus. If I can support their journey in any way, I’m here for them, and my office is here to help. I want to provide support and help them succeed, knowing what would have made a difference for me in this space. In the past, there was one Aboriginal Student Advisor. We only had one, and he helped me believe in myself. By doing that, he helped me a lot, and I was able to find success within the system and navigate my way through it. I want to give back a little of what was given to me. It’s a full circle for me – this is where I came to school, and now I’m here, able to help in the same way someone did for me when I was a young student in the 1980s.”

Karen Courchene is available for support Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. You can schedule an appointment with her by emailing isc@umanitoba.ca or by calling the Indigenous Student Centre at 204-474-8850.

The Indigenous Career Mentor Program is an informational interviewing program that supports Indigenous students in gathering industry information. Indigenous mentors that meet with Indigenous students provide advice on how to navigate career opportunities and challenges, mentors may also share their personal experiences navigating their own career journeys.    

Indigenous students can choose their mentors from the following fields of practice: Business & Administration, Health Care, Social Services & Education, Government Services, Science & Technology, Arts & Culture, and Recreation & Sports. To learn more about the Indigenous Career Mentor Program and register, please visit the program home page.

October’s mentor of the month is Sadie Lavoie

What is your position title and where do you currently work?
Program Coordinator of Indigenous Leadership Programming

Briefly describe what you do in your current occupation:
I coordinate Indigenous student leadership programming with the office of V.P. Indigenous, providing quality professional development training that is culturally relevant to Indigenous students at the UofM. I connect Indigenous students with various Indigenous leaders across multiple sectors, combining traditional knowledge systems and culture to foster wrap-around support for student leadership development.

What initially sparked your interest in the career you have chosen for yourself?
I have always gravitated towards exciting opportunities to increase my own leadership development when I was a student and I carried that forward several years later as a community organizer, educator, artist and activist here in Winnipeg. I always knew that the pieces of knowledge and experiences that I gathered would eventually be beneficial for other young Indigenous people at some point in my life. I’ve always had a passion for teaching what I’ve learned from Elders and other Indigenous role models, and so it was important for me to find ways to bridge Indigenous knowledge and culture into the contemporary context of decolonization within an education institution. I believe it is vital for our collective well-being as Indigenous people to share wisdom with other Indigenous youth as we move towards a more just future for us all.

During my time as a student, I helped create history by passing the first-ever Indigenous Credit Requirement at the University of Winnipeg, and so I wanted to carry that same energy into the work I do for Indigenous students here at the University of Manitoba. However, I felt it should be more tailored to their needs rather than reacting to inequities and solely focusing on non-Indigenous people’s education about us. I knew that it was not only important to address inequalities within education, but eventually realized that it can be more important to build up a healthy community and pass on the torch of success to other up-and-coming Indigenous student leaders In Manitoba rather than always trying to fight oppressive systems on my own or with limited people with limited resources. It was special to be part of something that evolves, adapts, and grows along with the community it serves.

What are some lesser-known duties or work outcomes your role is responsible for that people may not be aware of?
That’s a good one. I do more finance things than most people realize but this was mainly due to shifting from an assistant position to the program coordinator position within less than a year and juggling between both positions as we are in the middle process of hiring someone new to fill my previous role. I learned a lot in my previous role but it is one of those things that you become more aware of when you’re managing multiple programs, just how much of a workload it can be to coordinate and ensure we have all our t’s crossed and I’s dotted to ensure everything runs smoothly and we’ve taken in consideration many factors before we move forward with anything. I also think my decade of experience in community organizing definitely came handy, as I had lots of experience with event planning, managing finances, and maintaining relationships within the Indigenous community.  

What do you enjoy most about your job?
The students!! Ugh, they bring me back and they sure get me excited for continuing my own education endeavours. But seeing their growth in the short period of time I’ve gotten to know them, makes me excited to witness the greatness that they will do in the years ahead. It makes me proud that I was just a small part of that and I only want to be of service to them and support them as much as possible. They’re all so unique and special, and it only affirms my goal to be a professor someday. Their success is all of our success as Indigenous peoples because it will be them who truly change this world for the better and that’s so special to me.

 What are some changes you’ve experienced in your field, or changes you anticipate happening in the near future?
Well, I think we’ve seen so much change already, but I truly believe we are only scratching the surface when it comes to Indigenous success and incorporating Indigenous pedagogies into University institutions across Canada. There is so much yet to be done when it comes to decolonizing education and challenging oppressive systems that have historically been used to eradicate our languages, cultures and ways of life, that it will be Indigenous students, staff and faculty that will be trailblazing the ethical and equitable future, and so Indigenous leadership will become the saviour for educational institutions striving towards reconciliation across this country. Our wisdom has been ignored for so long and our knowledge has not received the respect and recognition it rightly deserves, and it will be the Indigenous leaders who will prove that time and time again, nothing about us without us, and we are on the new frontier of decolonization and systemic justice.  They need us more than we need them, and they are recognizing that true reconciliation cannot be imposed or top-down but driven by the fact that students are setting a higher standard for everyone to achieve, and we must heed that call with excitement that a better future is achievable together.

 What are some strengths, specialties, and characteristics that are considered assets in your field?
I believe that it’s important to be very proud and confident as an Indigenous person with the bits of knowledge and experiences I carry with me. I am a two-spirit Anishinaabe who grew up in my reserve for most of my life, and I was told many times growing up how little I deserved in this world by many non-Indigenous people so that kickstarted my drive to prove to them and myself that I am worthy and capable of successes and that I wasn’t going to let hurdles or barriers stand in my way. However, that doesn’t mean that just because one’s path was difficult doesn’t mean that it must be difficult for everyone else thereafter. So, I made it my mission to try my best to help others along the way and to share as much as possible about what I learned along my journey as an academic and as an activist within the community. I think it’s an asset to be a trailblazer but it’s more important about making space and widening opportunities for more Indigenous youth to benefit from as well.

What is a piece of advice you would offer to Indigenous students interested entering your field?
Do it up! Whatever you think your gift is, spread it and share it with others as much as you can. The Creator gave us all gifts and we have to utilize them. If your gift is to trailblaze in the field of research, go for it. If your gift is to write and teach others, speak up! If your gift is to create and spread beauty, never give up! There is not one way to be a leader, they are all valid and are all needed during this time of Indigenous resurgence. That to me would be honouring our ancestors and Creator.

 Are there any resources you feel could support Indigenous students interested in this career path?
Money. Money always helps. Canada is beyond rich from colonialism. I truly believe we must be financially supported during this time of reconciliation and decolonization, because not only are we facing intergenerational traumas and oppressive hurdles that have set us apart from so many other Canadians, but we are also pushing and learning two worlds at the same time. It’s not easy to be Indigenous and struggle to constantly keep our chin up in this economy post-COVID while we support so many people within our own families and communities. I think it’s important that finances not be a barrier to our success and that repatriations are necessary for our well-being, knowing we are valued and supported in a historically colonially oppressive system. We are putting in a lot of work for the benefit of all Canadians and that should be recognized and respected. In my opinion anyways. Lol.

 Within your industry or field, what are some related occupations that you interact with and/or find interesting?
We work closely with the Indigenous Cultural Integration dept, as well as the Indigenous Student Recruitment and Indigenous Student Centre units. I also find the Access Programs interesting as well and always want to find ways to collaborate or integrate our programming to provide wrap-around support for all Indigenous students looking for leadership development.

During your career journey what support(s), resource(s), and/or event(s) influenced your decision-making process?
I think attending every Indigenous event I could juggle within my schedule helped me build my networks and it later helped me maintain positive relationships with other influential Indigenous leaders throughout Canada who inspired me to find ways to collaborate and connect in the future. I am always keen to learn from others in various fields to see what makes people passionate about what they do, and I’ve always noticed that Indigenous people are fundamentally healers, givers and creators. We are always looking for ways to fix things or how to make things better than when we first got them, and I find that so exciting when you chat with people from all over the place. There are always new cool things in the works, and it makes working within an education institution all that more exciting because it’s like we’re on the verge of so many breakthroughs, especially when it comes to breaking barriers, promoting intersectional healing and groundbreaking research. I’m a big nerd when it comes to learning new things, so it’s fun to just be part of a thriving Indigenous community here that wants to make positive change for our broader community.

To meet with mentors like Sadie Lavoie, register for the Indigenous Career Mentor Program. Explore, connect and build confidence as you proceed in your career journey!

If you are an Indigenous professional interested in sharing your story and connecting with students, consider volunteering as a mentor in the Indigenous Career Mentor Program.