UM Indigenous Leadership Programming

Applications are open for the 2026-2027 cohorts of Paskwamostos Wawiyaw and Bison Spirit!

Be a part of a growing community of Indigenous leaders!

Paskwamostos Wawiyaw and Bison Spirit offer opportunities for personal growth, professional development, and community engagement. The programs offer connection through shared meals, guest speakers, and leadership development workshops.

Application forms are available on the Paskwamostos Wawiyaw and Bison Spirit websites. 🔗 Links in bio.

Applications are open until September 18.

For questions, contact [email protected]

Last week, the Indigenous Leadership Programming team had the privilege of welcoming an amazing group of new Indigenous students to the University of Manitoba during the Where We First Stand Transition Camp.

We were excited to share a new workshop on Advocacy and have meaningful conversations about finding your voice, supporting one another, and leading in ways that reflect who you are. We believe that leadership only exists in relationship, and advocacy begins when we use our voices to create positive change for ourselves, our peers, and our communities.

Thank you to everyone who shared, listened, laughed, and showed up.

Welcome to UM. We are excited to walk alongside you and see all the ways you will lead, inspire, and make a difference.

These opportunities are possible because of the generous support of Mastercard Foundation’s EleV program.

We are now accepting applications for the 2026-2027 cohorts of our Indigenous Leadership Program: Paskwamostos Wawiyaw and Bison Spirit.

If you are a full-time Indigenous UM student ready to discover your strengths and grow as a leader, we invite you to apply.

Application forms are available on the Paskwamostos Wawiyaw and Bison Spirit websites. Links are in the bio.

We are accepting applications until September 18.

A Celebration in Honour of Students in the Bison Spirit and Paskwamostos Wawiyaw Indigenous Leadership programs. ✨

On April 27, we celebrated the 16th cohort of Paskwamostos Wawiyaw and the second cohort of Bison Spirit.

We are so proud of the dedication and heart these students have shown throughout the year, and we can’t wait to see where their journeys take them next.

We are grateful to everyone who joined us, supported us, and helped make this celebration so meaningful. Thank you to the Mastercard Foundation’s EleV Indigenous for your generous support of Indigenous Leadership Programming.

Applications now open!

We are now accepting applications for the 2026-2027 cohorts of Paskwamostos Wawiyaw and Bison Spirit.

If you are a full-time Indigenous UM student ready to discover your strengths and grow as a leader, we invite you to apply.

Application forms are available on the Paskwamostos Wawiyaw and Bison Spirit websites. 🔗 Links in bio.

We are accepting applications until September 18.

You may have noticed the name change of this account.

We are excited to share that our Indigenous leadership programming is coming together in one place.

The Bison Spirit and Paskwamostos Wawiyaw Indigenous Leadership Programs are now united under a single account: UM Indigenous Leadership Programming

This new space will bring together updates, opportunities, and stories from across our Indigenous leadership programming at UM.

Please follow us to stay connected.

Photo: Safron Blais [B.A. (Hons.)'26] being interviewed about their experience in the Paskwamostos Wawiyaw Indigenous Leadership Program.

✨Celebrating Indigenous Student Leadership✨

Last night, we gathered to celebrate 46 incredible Indigenous student leaders as they completed a year in the Paskwamostos Wawiyaw and Bison Spirit Indigenous leadership programs.

We were honoured to hear remarks from campus leadership and to enjoy a beautiful performance by Brandi Vezina, accompanied by guitarist Max Dupias.

It was especially meaningful to recognize each student for their growth, accomplishments, and commitment to leadership. We are excited to witness all they will continue to achieve on their leadership journeys.

Thank you to the friends, family, staff, and community members who joined us to celebrate and uplift these leaders. Thank you to the students for showing up and putting in the work. A special thanks to the Pinnacle Club staff for the great service and venue.

Professional photos from the celebration are coming soon!

Last month, Indigenous Circle of Empowerment and Bison Spirt Students hosted the third annual Day in the Life of an Indigenous Student at the UM. In collaboration with Indigenous Student Recruitment, this event welcomed Indigenous high school students to campus for an authentic university experience, centered on Indigenous student perspectives and showing them that they belong at the UM.

Over the course of two days, 41 Indigenous high school students had the opportunity to attend a university lecture, participate in a mini campus tour, and learn from the experiences of students in the Indigenous Circle of Empowerment and Bison Spirit programs. Students also engaged in a sharing circle, giving them space to reflect on their experiences and connect with one another.

A big thank you to the high school students for putting yourselves out there and spending time on campus. Thank you to the Indigenous Circle of Empowerment and Bison Spirit students who volunteered their time to mentor, support, and show the high school students that they belong at the UM.

Our final gathering of the year was a meaningful one. We were honoured to spend time in conversation with Michael Robertson, Chair of the University of Manitoba Board of Governors. Mike shared reflections on leadership, relationships, and community responsibility, emphasizing that everyone’s leadership journey is different and that finding what works for you is key. Thank you Mike for taking the time to inspire the leaders in the Indigenous Circle of Empowerment.

Students also had the opportunity to present their capstone projects. Each group worked as a team to identify a community need, developed a plan to address it, and put their ideas into action. It was inspiring to witness the students’ growth throughout the year and the meaningful impact their work had on community.

Miigwech to all the students for showing up, contributing, and supporting one another through the year.

It was a privilege to welcome Ruth and Bill Shead to the Indigenous Circle of Empowerment last week. Their presentation on Boards and Committees encouraged students to see leadership as service to community. The activity that put students in a decision-making scenario sparked thoughtful discussion and teamwork, giving them an example of board-level decision making. Miigwech to Ruth and Bill for your meaningful and inspiring session.

This week, the Indigenous Circle of Empowerment visited Graffiti Art Programming for a Graffiti Lettering Workshop. We had the opportunity to explore the powerful Red Wash Stand exhibition and had the privilege of hearing from its curator, Clayton Thomas-Müller. Clayton spoke of the meaning behind the exhibit and highlighted the Indigenous artists that contributed to it.

Red Wash Stand exposes the corporate benevolence in Indigenous spaces. The exhibit confronts the growing trend of corporate sponsorship in Indigenous education, arts and culture, exposing it as a strategic tactic to gain social license and mask ongoing destruction and colonial violence.

Miigwech to Clayton for sharing your powerful insights and inspiring deeper reflection.

Yesterday, the Indigenous Circle of Empowerment welcomed Sean Rayland-Boubar, founder of Red Rebel Armour. Sean shared his powerful journey of building an Indigenous streetwear brand rooted in culture and community. Hearing how Red Rebel Armour uplifts community left the students feeling inspired.