You can watch each interview by clicking the links below.

Tina Chen, V.P. (Equity)
Marcia Friesen, Dean, Price Faculty of Engineering
Leisha Strachan, Associate Dean, Research and Graduate Studies, Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation
Debra Jonasson-Young, I.H. Asper Executive Director of Entrepreneurship
Carrie Selin, Wawatay Academic Program Coordinator, Faculty of Science

Lalonde is passionate about and committed to giving back to the communities she is a part of. She volunteers with her Métis community as the treasurer of Seven Oaks Métis council, here in Winnipeg. Lalonde works at the Faculty of Science Dean’s Office as the Wawatay program development specialist. “[Wawatay] is a program that helps immerse students; and connect them with their culture and take their ways of knowing which a lot of people call Indigenous ways of knowing, but which is just the students’ way of knowing and applying it to what they’re learning in that Western science environment. It’s valuable, to actually be part of that community as well, and helping the students establish a community on campus,” says Lalonde.

Lalonde’s recent accomplishment, being among Canada’s Most Powerful Women: Top 100 Awards as the Amex Emerging Leader, comes to no one’s surprise as she is an extraordinary example of making bold decisions and exploring new perspectives. To watch the full interview with Lalonde, please visit the Faculty of Science’s YouTube channel.

“This is an opportunity to learn more about Canadian history, Indigenous culture and heritage. Through continuous learning we move forward on a path to reconciliation. Especially now, as we grieve for the 215 graves found at Kamloops, children whose lives were cut short after being taken from their families and their land. We all have parts to play, big little and small in a better future that acknowledges the sadness of this past and connects us all going forward.” explains Dean Stefi Baum.

As Dr. Michael Benarroch, President and Vice-Chancellor stated.

“Everyone must continue to learn – and unlearn – every day. Listen to Indigenous voices. Build connections with Indigenous Elders, students, staff, faculty, leaders and communities. Engage in meaningful dialogue. And do your homework: read the history of residential schools, read Survivors’ stories, read The Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and read the 94 Calls to Action. We cannot say we support Truth and Reconciliation without a willingness to learn the truth.”

Creating pathways for Indigenous engagement and achievement has been a primary focus for the Faculty of Science and the University of Manitoba, according to Samar Safi-Harb, Professor and Faculty of Science Lead for Equity, Diversity, and Community. In Science, we have been developing and promoting initiatives that will guide us in our journey towards reconciliation with the Indigenous Peoples. Recently the Faculty of Science launched `Wawatay’, Anishinaabe for Northern Lights, to help Indigenous students succeed and in collaboration with their communities apply their classroom learning to meaningful community life and work. We are recruiting Indigenous (Faculty) Scholars. We initiated pedagogy awards to support curriculum development aimed at incorporating the ‘Two-Eyed Seeing’ approach in Science. We began to organize education sessions for faculty and staff to promote the Indigenous Ways of Knowing and guide us in our “Path to Reconciliation”; more anti-racism and education training sessions are being planned for the future, explains Safi-Harb.

“These efforts build on the excellent opportunities at UM to learn about Indigenous culture on campus. I personally found the UM Virtual Learning for Life session “Anti-Racism Practice” with Dr. Cary Miller, Head of the Department of Native Studies at the University of Manitoba, incredibly valuable; I encourage everyone to watch it.

Going forward, we hope for our community’s engagement in this journey — we value all opportunities to listen, learn, engage and grow as we work together towards creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for the next generation of scientists and scholars, says Safi-Harb.”

Ways to Celebrate

Be sure to check out National Indigenous Peoples Day virtual activities happening in your region through Celebrate Canada!

APTN Indigenous Day Live: https://www.indigenousdaylive.ca/

NCTR’s ‘The Decolonizing Lens’ Event: https://nctr.ca/education/educational-programs/decolonizing-lens/

For more information on First Nations, Inuit and Métis-led virtual activities, please visit:

• the Assembly of First Nations
• Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami
• Métis National Council
• your local Friendship Centre

UM Student Events

SSA’s Indigenous rep @zoekquill with the help of SSA’s senator @kyracebula has been in collaboration with @um.asbc, @umu1sc, @umisacouncil, @umisawomenscouncil, @perkscouncil, @umics, and @musaumanitoba to host a variety of events to celebrate this day!

• @umanitobassa (Science Students Association) will be doing a giveaway 
• @UM.ASBC will be doing a giveaway
• @UMISAWomensCouncil will  be doing a giveaway
• @UMU1SC – 5 days of giveaways
• @UMISACOUNCIL – Will be doing an IG takeover on @UMSU and Kahoot on June 26

Join in the conversation 

• Twitter: @GCIndigenous and @GovCanNorth use the hashtag #NIHM2021
• Facebook: GCIndigenous, GovCanNorth and @GCIndigenousHealth
• Instagram: @gcindigenous use the hashtag #NIHM2021
• YouTube

MacLean’s annual rankings include all comprehensive universities in Canada — those with a significant amount of research activity and a wide range of programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels, including professional degrees.

The status of UM’s Computer Science program has also improved; it is currently No. 14 overall out of 21 programs across Canada.

“We are pleased to be among the highest-ranked comprehensive universities in the country. As the demand for mathematical, statistical and computation science expertise in nearly every industry grows, we are focused on increasing our program options, delivery, and accessibly. We continue to demonstrate our commitment to excellence in teaching, research, and student success. Improving math literacy and supporting outreach in this area is also at the forefront,” explains Stefi Baum, Dean Faculty of Science.

Recently, the Faculty of Science announced the establishment of a new Bachelor in Data Science degree option to begin Fall 2021, which will include integrated learning opportunities with a Co-op option. New partnerships with the Pacific Institute for the Mathematical Sciences (PIMS) and the Canadian Statistical Sciences Institute (CANSSI) have also been established.

The Faculty has introduced several new integrated course offerings, together with student supports including a Student – Industry Mentoring Program. Dean Stefi Baum says there are many reasons to be excited. Fall 2020 enrolment in the Faculty of Science increased by 10.6%, and plans are in the works for the development of an Indigenous student support program called Wawatay (Anishinaabe for northern lights), which will be announced shortly.

“I’m not surprised, we have world-class research faculty throughout the Faculty of Science, in every area, who are also dedicated teachers, and very hard-working students. This is also the result of outstanding leadership, namely that of Professor Stephen Kirkland, former Head of the Department of Mathematics,” said Shaun Lui, Acting Head, Professor, Mathematics.

The annual Maclean’s rankings place universities in one of three institutional categories – smaller primarily undergraduate schools, larger comprehensive schools, and those with medical schools.

Read the full university rankings here.