It’s likely you’ve seen a red dress hanging somewhere on Western’s main campus. On trees. Lampposts. Signs. It’s part of the REDress Project to acknowledge the need for justice for Indigenous women.
Indigenous
Guide ‘introduces’ campus to Indigenous students
This fall, Western will distribute 5,000 new guides intended to help faculty, staff and administrators support the educational and cultural needs of Indigenous students. Built on the foundation of the university’s Indigenous Strategic Plan, the Guide for Working with Indigenous Students is a primer that outlines contextual reasons and practical ways to make the campus and classroom more receptive spaces.
School tackles ‘big job’ of Indigenous health
Because there’s no time to lose, Vanessa Ambtman-Smith plans to explore an in-hospital medicine lodge on her way to join other scholars at the inaugural Indigenous Mentorship Network Summer School in Sudbury next week. “We have to hit the ground running because there...
Revitalizing Indigenous Education and redefining scholarship
Education is considered to be one of the most potent tools to improve the lives of young Indigenous peoples in Canada. And its work remains unfinished, according to one Western researcher. More than half of Canada’s youngest and fastest-growing population hasn’t...
Newsmakers: The Director
Janice Forsyth Janice Forsyth is the new Director of First Nations Studies program in the Faculty of Social Science. As the program undergoes review and looks toward attaining department status, Forsyth is excited by the momentum and institutional support generated by...
Newsmakers: The Athlete
Joy Spear Chief-Morris For Joy Spear Chief-Morris, track and field was an escape. The sport was a place to get away from the world, a place she sensed she belonged and, most of all, a place where she chased dreams she never thought possible. Earlier this year, she was...
Newsmakers: The Advocate
Christy Bressette When Christy Bressette, BA’95 (Brescia), BEd’96, PhD’08, first stepped onto Western’s campus more than two decades ago, it was “an isolating experience.” Thankfully, this won’t be the case for an incoming student today. In the coming year, Bressette...
Award honours athlete still running down dreams
Joy Spear Chief-Morris, BA’17, won the 2017 Tom Longboat Award, an honour that recognizes Aboriginal athletes for outstanding contributions to sport in Canada.
FNS, university efforts gaining momentum
As she considers the future of Western’s First Nations Studies program, Janice Forsyth is most excited by the momentum and institutional support generated by the university’s Indigenous Strategic Plan. “The program has been around for more than a decade and is...
Alumna looks to end ‘isolation’ for others
An Anishinabe member of Kettle and Stony Point First Nation, Christy Bressette, among the first Indigenous persons to receive a Western doctorate, will co-chair the university’s task force to implement its new Indigenous Strategic Plan.
Mandawe named city’s first Artist in Residence
Erik Mandawe, like the music he creates, is an ever-shifting landscape.
Student finds self in First Nations language, arts
For Frazer Sundown, learning the Oneida language and performing traditional powwow music has helped define his identity – and his plans for the future. A student in the First Nations Studies program at Western, Sundown is a member of the Turtle Clan of the Oneida...
Award aims to level funding support, playing field for female Mustangs
Joy Spear Chief-Morris admits she can sometimes be a bit stubborn. And single minded. But those traits have served the elite athlete, and member of the Mustangs Track and Field team, well – in life and in sport. The fifth-year History and First Nations Studies student...
Newsmakers: Western News looks back on 2016
How will we remember 2016? Probably through one or more of these faces. Western News presents its 7th annual Newsmakers issue, a celebration of those who contributed to our campus conversation in the last year. Join us in remembering the names and faces that...
Board takes ‘important step,’ OKs Indigenous plan
Today, Candace Brunette is thinking of her great-grandmother who lived on a trap line. She is thinking of her grandmother who didn’t have the right to vote in Canada. She is thinking of her mother who had a Grade 10 education. And, as she looks back on challenges she...
For true reconciliation, all Canadians must join the conversation
It is easy for most Canadians to think of colonialism as long ago and far away. Indigenous Canadians, though, face the realities of colonialism every day. Now 140 years old, The Indian Act still controls almost every facet of life for Indigenous Canadians, effectively...
Program to connect around Indigenous cultures
The upcoming Winter School in Indigenous Cultural Competency is not about telling people ‘this is how it’s going to be.’ Rather, it will be about building new and lasting relationships.
Course rewrite ‘Frames’ experiences in new way
Rick Fehr felt it was important to put his students’ work into the public eye to continue the teaching and learning about representations of Indigenous Peoples. For the past few years, Fehr has watched several students in his class participate in events and protests...
University seeks input into draft indigenous plan
Western’s first-ever Indigenous Strategic Plan seeks to remedy the under-representation of Indigenous Peoples as students, professors, staff and administrators in Canada’s postsecondary education system, according to university officials. “Universities play an...
Indigenous Convocation celebrates achievements
Indigenous Services hosted its fourth annual Graduation Ceremony for Indigenous Students at the International and Graduate Affairs Building on April 7. Since many of the students will be leaving London, this was a final chance to say goodbye and celebrate their...