Nipissing University’s Office of Aboriginal Initiatives

Annual Welcome Pow Wow This year we host our 11th Annual Welcome Pow Wow. All new and returning students gather at the Nipissing University/Canadore pond to share in Aboriginal traditions through dance and song.

Nipissing University’s Aboriginal Advantage Program is a full-time, first year transition-to-university program for Aboriginal students who are planning to pursue an undergraduate degree, and may want or need additional cultural, personal, and/or academic resources. Students who are transitioning from high school, upgrading, entering from a college program, or who have simply taken a break from their studies are eligible to apply to the program. You will be part of a community of peers, staff, faculty and Elders while obtaining 24 credits toward a university degree in pre-selected courses reserved for AAP students.

You will: • learn alongside other Aboriginal students; • attend orientation week to meet the professors and other students in the program; • become more familiar with the university system; and • gain confidence to be successful at university.

1

This program was designed for upper year Aboriginal University students who may not have the time or a schedule that is conducive to volunteer with Wiidooktaadwin Mentorship Program. Peer Mentorship connects upper year students with first year students to build positive relationships and support success. These mentors help ease the first year transition into university and support students with their studies. Peer mentors are expected to participate in weekend training.

Enji Giigdoyang: Speaker Series Throughout the academic year, the Office Of Aboriginal Initiatives hosts special guest speakers who share Indigenous knowledge, experiences, and ideas to inspire and nourish Nipissing University students as they study and research.

We are All Treaty People - Maurice Switzer

Celebrating Success and Advancing Good - Stan Wesley

Artist Talk - Jules Koostachin

2

Biidaaban is an Anishnaabe word that when translated means: “dawn, that point when the sun is rising and a new day begins”. Biidaaban Community Service-Learning (BCSL) is a unique experiential learning program. A specialized focus of BCSL is increasing literacy and numeracy with Aboriginal youth in northern Ontario through Biidaaban Youth Groups and Biidaaban Academic Support. BCSL also fosters community service by connecting Nipissing students with community organizations. Students in BCSL develop leadership skills, make a difference by investing time and energy in the local community, put classroom learning into practice to strengthen understanding and enhance future career skills, and raise awareness of community issues. All BCSL participants are asked to participate in weekend training prior to engaging with community.

Biidaaban Youth Group The Biidaaban Youth Group (BYG) program offers academic support to Aboriginal youth in local elementary schools and not-for-profit organizations. University students volunteer one evening per week, for 1-2 hours, to work with children and youth over the academic year (10-14 weeks total). Biidaaban Youth Groups offer free homework assistance, recreational activities, art activities and a snack to all participants.

Biidaaban Academic Support Biidaaban Academic Support volunteer tutors offer homework help and study support during school hours to Aboriginal youth in local schools in North Bay, Nipissing First Nation, Mattawa and Sturgeon Falls over the academic year (10-14 weeks total).

Biidaaban Community Placements BCSL works to compliment theory learned in class by matching student interests and abilities with service opportunities to meet community identified needs. BCSL students have supported not-for-profit community organizations with proposal and grant writing, supporting and organizing community events, brochure and website maintenance, and creating meaningful programming to support clients and community.

3

Biidaaban: A Circle of Caring - Connecting Families & Schools Partnering with COPA, Nipissing First Nation, Nipissing Parry Sound Catholic District School Board, Near North District School Board, North Bay Professional Fire Fighters Association, and the North Bay Police Service with funding by an Ontario Ministry, Parent’s Reaching Out Grant, this project aims to eliminate bullying in schools and to enhance parent engagement to support improved student achievement and well-being. The objective is to provide anti bullying and inclusion workshops by bringing together community partners, 14 elementary schools (JK-Grade 2 children), and their parents. The anti bullying and inclusion workshops will be followed by a culminating ‘Buddy Bench Building’ event, which will bring together students, their parents, teachers, school administration, community partners, and teacher candidates. These goals and objectives align with Ontario’s Well-Being Strategy for Education (2016).

Volunteers, youth, parents, caregivers and Biidaaban staff get together for a celebration of the hard work put forth by everyone. There are games, activities, beading, free photo booth and lunch for all. Families are welcome and there is no charge for this event.

4

Debwendizon means "to believe in yourself" in Anishnaabemwin. Debwendizon Aboriginal Youth Education Gatherings are designed for Aboriginal secondary school youth to visit Nipissing University and to engage in learning opportunities with faculty, staff and current students. Local and regional secondary schools are invited to participate. The gatherings take place in November each year. Aasgaabwitaadwin is an Ojibwe word, meaning "we are standing in support of one another". The conferences are held at Nipissing University twice during the academic year, in fall and winter. Youth from local secondary schools, Elders, Aboriginal Mentorship Leads, Wiidooktaadwin University Student Mentors, and special guests host a day of cultural teachings, leadership activities, share food, experiences, and reflection. We host Aasgaabwitaadwin in the fall and in the winter each year.

5

Nipissing University’s Wiidooktaadwin Aboriginal Mentorship Initiatives (WAMI) centers on Wiidooktaadwin (pronounced: wee-doke-tahd-win), an Anishnaabe word, which means: “helping one another.” WAMI connects upper year Aboriginal Nipissing University Students with Aboriginal secondary school students, and creates a network in which all participants can build relationships with one another. WAMI provides cultural support for all participants, promotes the development of leadership and life skills, and facilitates the notion of working together. WAMI creates paths for Aboriginal secondary students to attend Nipissing University, and promotes post-secondary education. University Student Mentors lead sessions in schools one day per week for seven weeks in the fall semester. These sessions consist of small, cultural based projects and leadership activities that the mentors and students can work on together. In the winter semester, mentors, Elders, and other special guests will visit schools each month to reconnect and share a meal.

Office of Aboriginal Initiatives Annual Weekend Training

The Weekend Training hosted by Biidaaban Community Service-Learning provides students an opportunity to focus on many areas of professional development, community engagement, and cultural safety, which includes:

• Cultural Safety at Nipissing First Nation • Drumming Circle with Near North District School Board • Leaders of the Day – Leadership Training and Activities

• Duty to Report & Crisis Intervention • Sexual Violence Prevention – #NUperspective

• CHANGE Workshop with Warren Lewis • Placement Expectations & Resources (for those who will have a community placement)

Each participant receives a Training Certificate to acknowledge the sessions they completed. We join the North Bay Police Service’s Environmental Committee in a local litter clean up; clothing and food drive at the end of the day on Saturday.

6

Nipissing University Education Centre 100 College Drive

Box 5002 North Bay, ON

PIB 8L7 705 474 3456 ext. 4899

www.nipissingu.ca/departments/aboriginal-initiatives