Indigenous Student Centre at Western University

Happy Convocation Week! 🎓✨

This week, we celebrate the incredible achievements of Indigenous students who are crossing the stage and stepping into their next chapter. We are so proud of all the hard work, determination and strength that brought you here.

In honour of this special time, we’re sharing just a few moments from our Indigenous Graduation Ceremony this past March. It was a powerful day of community and celebration, a reminder of the strength and brilliance of our Indigenous graduates.

To all our grads: as you move into what comes next, know that you carry with you your stories, your communities, and generations of strength. We are excited to see all that you will do.

📸 Are you convocating this week?
We’d love to celebrate with you! Send your convocation day photos to [email protected] for a chance to be featured on ISC accounts – we want to celebrate with you!

Congratulations again, Class of 2026 – stay in touch! 💜

Look at this group of inspiring students!

We’ll be hosting info sessions for any Indigenous students interested in the program in the Fall 🧑‍🔬🧑‍💻

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

We’re hiring an Indigenous Graduate Student Coordinator for ISC and SOGS! 📚
- Up to 10 hours per week
- Pay Rate: $24.75 per hour
- Posting closes: May 18, 2026
- WesternU Job ID: 42935

This role is a collaboration between the Office of Indigenous Initiatives and the Society of Graduate Students. The Indigenous Graduate Student Coordinator leads a peer-based support network for Indigenous graduate students studying at Western. The role supports Indigenous graduate students to facilitate their transition, retention and completion of their studies. The role will also advocate for Indigenous graduate students within SOGS, the Indigenous Post-Secondary Education Council (IPEC) and various other campus initiatives.

Required Qualifications:
- Must be enrolled as a graduate student at Western University
- Knowledgeable of Indigenous graduate student needs and experiences in postsecondary.
- Knowledgeable and sensitive to working with diverse Indigenous student populations.

Preferred Experience:
- Employment or volunteer experience in Indigenous communities or with Indigenous organizations.
- Have previous experience supporting program coordination.

This is an Indigenous-specific position and job candidates must have their Indigenous Citizenship/Membership documents verified via Western’s Policy on Affirming Declarations of Indigenous Citizenship and/or Membership.

Apply to the job posting via workingatwestern.uwo.ca under 'Employment Opportunities'

On May 5, the Office of Indigenous Initiatives honours Red Dress Day, the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQIA+ people (MMIWG2S+).

Red Dress Day serves as a powerful reminder of the lives taken, the loved ones who are missing, and the ongoing impacts of colonial violence. Red dresses, originally from the REDress Project, symbolize those who are no longer seen, calling on all of us to remember, reflect, and take action.

We encourage members of our campus and local community to attend the Red Dress Day gathering hosted by Atlohsa Family Healing Services:
⏰ 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
📍 Atlohsa’s Office, 343 Richmond St
📆 Tuesday, May 5, 2026

This gathering is an opportunity to come together in remembrance, solidarity, and community, while honouring Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQIA+ people and supporting Indigenous‑led healing and advocacy.

The Office of Indigenous Initiatives remains committed to education, accountability, and action toward justice, safety, and respect for Indigenous communities on Red Dress Day and every day.

Resources to learn more about MMIWG2S+ can be found via the link in our bio.

SFNS is facilitating a clinic for Registration Under the Indian Act and Secured Certificate of Indian Status (SCIS), in partnership with the Office of Indigenous Initiatives.

📅 Tuesday, May 26
⏰ 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
📍 Wampum Learning Lodge, 1137 Western Road (Suite 1200), London, ON

For more information, please visit: sfns.on.ca/trustedsource

Stop by tonight to attend the reception of The Thickness of a Leaf: Meditations on Grief by Indigenous Artist-in-Residence Jodi Lynn Maracle! 💜

Check out this opportunity to work at the School of Health Studies as an Indigenous Scholar! 💜

Join the Western University School of Health Studies as an Indigenous Scholar!

- Appointment Type and Rank: Assistant Professor, Probationary (tenure-track)

- Number of Positions: One

- Closing Date to Apply: April 30, 2026

- Anticipated Start Date: September 1, 2026 or as negotiated

- Compensation: $100,000 to $135,000 Annually

The School of Health Studies is seeking an Indigenous scholar whose research and teaching are grounded in Indigenous ways of knowing and relational accountability to Indigenous communities. We welcome candidates who centre Indigenous methodologies in their work, whether focusing on positive outcomes of Indigenous health initiatives, addressing systemic barriers to health care access, or other areas that serve Indigenous community priorities and contribute to resurgence and revitalization. Your expertise as an Indigenous person and scholar will enrich our curriculum, research environment, and broader university community, while your presence will provide essential mentorship and cultural connection for Indigenous students.

Qualifications:

- The successful candidate will have a PhD or equivalent in health sciences or a related discipline (e.g., public health, bioethics, social epidemiology, health promotion, etc.)

Experience:

- Demonstrated excellence (or strong potential) in scholarly research, including community-accessible knowledge sharing, peer-reviewed publications, and contributions to policy briefs or reports

- Experience or interest in developing and teaching health topics from Indigenous perspectives, including possible collaboration with Indigenous Studies

- Commitment to creating culturally safe learning environments and supporting Indigenous students, with an understanding of community-engaged research and service

This position is open only to Indigenous applicants as part of Western's commitment to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action and our Indigenous Strategic Plan. Candidates must self-identify as Indigenous and complete and submit the Western Application Form for Indigenous Scholars as part of the application package.

How to apply:

- Submit your application as a single PDF file (cover letter, CV, teaching/research statement + references)

- Send applications via email to Dr. Rachel Forrestor-Jones, Director and Professor School of Health Studies: [email protected]

* Please quote number HS-294 on all correspondence for this position

View full details:https://www.uwo.ca/facultyrelations/careers/pdf/AD.HS.FHS.2026.09.01-Indigenous-Scholar_20263.pdf

Want to join our team? The Wampum Learning Lodge is hiring! 💜

We’re hiring an Administrative Assistant for the Wampum Learning Lodge!
- 35 hours/week, one-year contract
- Salary: $52,000-$54,000, commensurate with experience
- Posting closes: May 6, 2026
- WesternU Job ID: 42276

The Wampum Learning Lodge is hiring an Administrative Assistant who provides warm, welcoming support to Lodge staff and visitors and ensures smooth day-to-day operations. The role supports community engagement activities, programs, and events, including coordinating logistics for gatherings and visits from Elders and community members, and serving as a key point of contact for staff, faculty, and community members to ensure the successful delivery of the Lodge’s programming and engagement activities.

Qualifications:
- 2-year college diploma in Office Administration or related field
Experience:
- 3 years of experience providing administrative or customer service support in an office
environment
- Experience supporting event coordination, community engagement activities, or
programming in a post-secondary or community-based setting
- Experience supporting Indigenous communities and organizations

This is an Indigenous-specific position and job candidates must have their Indigenous Citizenship/Membership documents verified via Western’s Policy on Affirming Declarations of Indigenous Citizenship and/or Membership.

Apply to the job posting via workingatwestern.uwo.ca under 'Employment Opportunities'

✨ Calling Indigenous Students — Applications Are OPEN! ✨

Western University’s National Indigenous Scholarship Program is now accepting applications! This scholarship celebrates academic excellence, creativity, and the ways Indigenous students give back to their communities — on-reserve and in urban spaces.

💫 5 scholarships valued at $50,000 each
📚 For incoming first year Indigenous undergraduate students (First Nations, Métis, Inuit)
🏫 Open to students applying from Canadian high schools or colleges

🗓 Deadline: February 14th at 11:59 PM (EST)

If this sounds like you — or someone you know — we encourage you to apply. 🌱

🔗 To apply or for more information, please go to https://registrar.uwo.ca/student_finances/scholarships_awards/admission/national_scholarship_is.html

📩 Questions? Reach out to Donna Noah, Indigenous Financial Aid Coordinator at [email protected]

🤍 Please share widely and support Indigenous students 🤍