Wawatay – Transforming Indigenous students’ talent and ambition into success in science
Wawatay (Anishinaabe for Northern Lights) offers First Nations, Métis and Inuit students the chance to integrate Indigenous ways of knowing into their science degree, while also providing hands-on research and experiential learning opportunities.
Wawatay’s summer orientation offers an enriching experience from engaging campus tours to exciting icebreakers and social events. Students will have plenty of opportunities to connect with their peers while enjoying a variety of food options. Throughout orientation, they explore key campus landmarks like research labs, Buller Greenhouse, libraries, Lockhart Planetarium and the Indigenous Student Centre. They develop essential skills in writing and oral presentation and learn about all of the resources available to them on campus.
Melanie Lalonde, Carrie Selin
“Wawatay orientation is about coming together as a community and creating community for students. It is a chance for students to connect with one another, meet the Indigenous community at the UM, and meet mentors. They also have the opportunity to take part in activities that root us in both culture and science. We hope students leave orientation knowing that they have a strong circle of support around them and feeling ready to begin their academic journey with confidence”, Melanie Lalonde, Wawatay Program Development Specialist.
“Orientation is one of the best parts of my job – every summer we get to grow our Wawatay family and welcome a new group of amazing students. It’s the time when we help each of the students begin building their own Indigenous community here at UM, where First Nations, Métis, and Inuit identities are honored and we celebrate who we are together”, Carrie Selin, Wawatay Academic Program Lead.
To learn more about Wawatay and the summer orientation 2025, you can visit the Faculty of Science’s YouTube channel.