Wampum Learning Lodge - WesternU

☀️ Today, we mark National Indigenous Peoples Day, which coincides with the Summer Solstice, an important time of celebration, renewal and reflection for many Indigenous Peoples and communities.

At Western, this day is an opportunity to honour the vibrant cultures, histories and contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples, while continuing to advance our shared commitments to truth, reconciliation and Indigenous-led change.

📢 In this spirit, we’re proud to share the 2025–26 Annual Progress Report from the Office of Indigenous Initiatives. This year’s report reflects the ongoing work to foster a more inclusive and respectful campus, one where Indigenous people, knowledges and ways of being are elevated across all areas of university life.

From strengthening relationships with Indigenous communities to expanding learning opportunities, enhancing supports for students, and advancing institutional priorities, the report highlights both meaningful progress and the work that continues ahead.

🔗 Read the report here: https://indigenous.uwo.ca/initiatives/stratreports/index.html

What did the first five weeks of the Head & Heart Fellowship look like? 🧑‍🔬

Over the past five weeks, fellows have been learning with their hands, their minds, and their hearts, while building relationships with each other, local knowledge keepers, and with the land around them.

Here’s a glimpse of what they’ve been up to:
🧑‍🎨 Spending time at the artLAB with Indigenous Artist-in-Residence
🧑‍💻 Learned about research ethics and Indigenous research ethics
🪡 Learning beadwork teachings from Donna Noah
🦅 Tracking bird migration at Long Point Conservation Area
💼 Completing professional development workshops
💧 Participated in an Anishinaabe water walk
🏺 Visiting the Museum of Ontario Archaeology to learn from Dr. Jackson TwoBears, and even helping fire clay
👩‍🏫 Leading personal skills workshops to practice presentation skills
🌱 Participating in land-based learning at 13 Moons Camp
📚 Lots and lots of reading, reflecting, and discussing Indigenous authors

Each experience has offered space to learn, reflect, and grow in teachings that extend beyond the classroom.

📸 Take a look at some moments from the fellowship so far.

Liz Akiwenzie, Doctor of Laws, shared many wise words with the graduates in yesterday morning's convocation ceremony.

If you want to re-listen or didn't have a chance to listen live yesterday, the ceremony is available here (starts at 34:41): https://vimeo.com/1197862797?share=copy =2081.507

At King’s Convocation, Liz Akiwenzie, honorary degree recipient, offered graduates a powerful reminder that learning does not end when they cross the stage.

“No matter what piece of paper you leave here with today, there’s still more to learn. It’s called life. Walk through the world with open eyes and experience all the things creation has to offer.

We all know what’s going on out there in the world. It’s up to all of us to walk through it with light and love and respect and kindness.”

Miigwech, Dr. Liz Akiwenzie, for your wisdom, care and the many teachings you have shared with the King’s community.

Congratulations to all the Indigenous graduates celebrating at convocation this week - it's been an honour to be part of your journey 💜

Congratulations, Cody! 👏

A remarkable international honour for the Faculty of Social Science at Western University.

Dr. Cody Groat, Assistant Professor in History and Indigenous Studies, has been appointed by UNESCO Director-General Khaled El-Enany to serve a four-year term on the International Advisory Committee (IAC) for the Memory of the World Programme.

This prestigious committee oversees the recognition and preservation of documentary heritage of global significance, helping ensure that important records, histories, and cultural knowledge are protected and remembered for future generations. The committee meets at UNESCO headquarters in Paris every two years to guide this important international work.

The Canadian Commission for UNESCO has noted that Dr. Groat is believed to be the first Canadian appointed to this international committee since former National Archivist of Canada Jean-Pierre Wallot served in the 1990s.

This appointment reflects not only Dr. Groat’s expertise and leadership in history and Indigenous studies, but also the growing international impact of scholarship taking place within the Faculty of Social Science at Western University.

Dr. Groat previously served as Chair of the Canadian Commission for UNESCO Memory of the World Advisory Committee from 2021 to 2025, building on years of dedicated work in heritage preservation, historical research, and public scholarship.

We congratulate Dr. Groat on this exceptional achievement and celebrate the global recognition of his contributions to preserving documentary heritage and advancing meaningful conversations about history, memory, and Indigenous knowledge.

This Thursday: Celebrate Liz Akiwenzie 💛

A friendly reminder to join us this Thursday, June 11 as we come together to honour Liz Akiwenzie after receiving her Honorary Degree (LLD, Doctor of Laws).

🎉 Afternoon Reception – Open to Everyone
The Wampum Learning Lodge will be open from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. to welcome community, family, friends, and colleagues to gather in celebration. All are welcome to drop in. Guests are invited to bring their bundles, rattles, and drums.
📍: Wampum Learning Lodge
🕐: 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
The reception will include:
✨ Opening Remarks
✨ Pipe Ceremony
✨ Light Feast
✨ Reflections and Sharing

🎓 Watch the Morning Ceremony on Livestream (10 a.m.)
Liz will receive her Honorary Degree and deliver a 15-minute address to graduates during the Thursday morning convocation ceremony.
🎥 You can watch the livestream here:
🔗 https://convocation.uwo.ca/celebrations/index.html

We hope you’ll join us, online in the morning and in person in the afternoon, to celebrate this recognition and all that it represents 💛

Applications Now Open: Indigenous Student STEM Access Program (ISSAP) at Western University! 🌟

ISSAP is a unique, one-year transition program designed to support Indigenous students in pursuing their academic goals in Engineering or the Sciences at Western’s main campus.

Through ISSAP, students will have the opportunity to:
✅ Complete or upgrade prerequisite courses (Grades 11 & 12) if not completed already with a grade of 70% or more
✅ Enroll in undergraduate courses within their chosen stream
✅ Build academic skills and confidence in a university setting
✅ Adjust to post-secondary life with tailored learning strategies
✅ Receive mentorship and support from staff, faculty, and peers

📅 Application Deadline: August 1, 2026

👉 Learn more and apply now:
https://indigenous.uwo.ca/students//future-students/indigenous_student_stem_access_program.html

If you or someone you know is ready to take the next step toward a future in STEM, we encourage you to apply or share this opportunity!

Indigenous Student STEM Access Program Western University, in vibrant London, Ontario, delivers an academic and student experience second to none.

We’re excited to introduce this year’s Year One cohort of the Head & Heart Indigenous Research Fellowship - everyone say hello! 👋

The Head & Heart Fellowship is a two-year summer research program for upper-year Indigenous undergraduate students, combining coursework, land-based learning, and mentorship to build skills in Indigenous research, ethics, and community-based practice. The program is partnered with Western Research and based at the Wampum Learning Lodge.

This year, we are proud to welcome:
1. Carlos Alvarado (Paqtnkek Mi’kmaw Nation), studying Psychology
2. Aiyana Jonathan (Six Nations of the Grand River), studying Family Studies and Human Development
3. Samara George (Oneida Nation of the Thames and Chippewas of the Thames First Nation), studying Health Sciences
4. Mikayla Antone-Gregory (Oneida Nation of the Thames and Bkejwanong Territory), studying Biology
5. Eric Sainnawap (Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug), studying Genetics

The Fellowship is already well underway, and we’re excited to see their growth and development this summer as Indigenous researchers.

👉 Learn more about the program: https://indigenous.uwo.ca/scholarshipsresearch/research/index.html

Nishin! Congratulations, Velma!

The Faculty of Social Science at Western University is proud to congratulate Velma Noah-Nicholas, recipient of the 2026 Indigenous Social Science Doctoral Fellowship (ISSDF) in Anthropology.

The Indigenous Social Science Doctoral Fellowship reflects the Faculty’s ongoing commitment to encouraging, mentoring, and supporting Indigenous scholars whose research, leadership, and academic excellence are shaping the future of scholarship and community impact.

This fellowship recognizes Indigenous doctoral students who demonstrate exceptional research potential and a deep dedication to scholarly pursuits. Through initiatives like the ISSDF, the Faculty of Social Science continues to prioritize opportunities that help Indigenous scholars thrive academically while contributing meaningful perspectives, knowledge, and research to their fields and communities.

Velma’s achievement is an important milestone and a reflection of the strength, insight, and promise Indigenous scholars bring to the social sciences. We are excited to celebrate this accomplishment and look forward to the contributions Velma will continue to make through research in Anthropology.

Learn more about the Indigenous Social Science Doctoral Fellowship:
https://www.ssc.uwo.ca/graduate/awards/indigenous_social_science_doctoral_fellowship.html