Indigenous Orientation Week activities

The vibrant Indigenous community here at U of M offers you many opportunities to connect, participate and share your voice both within and outside the classroom.

Check out a wide range of activities and resources during Indigenous Orientation Week from Sept. 12 to Sept. 16.

All activities are open to the public – everyone is welcome!

Monday, Sept. 12

Student Resource Day

All day | Migizii Agamik Bald Eagle Lodge

Connect with student advisors and other resources.

Connect with Indigenous student advisors and other resources.

Presentations: What I wish I knew when I started University (10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m.)

Tuesday, Sept. 13

TeepeeTeachings

11 a.m. – 1 p.m. | Migizii Agamik Bald Eagle Lodge lawn

Learn about the traditions and practices of raising a teepee from Elder Carl Stone and take part in raising a teepee.

Wednesday, Sept. 14

Celebration Stations 

All day | University Quad, Curry Place Pedway, and Migizii Agamik Bald Eagle Lodge

Indigenous games, entertainment and free lunch.

Back by popular demand! Visit the Indigenous Celebration Stations set up around Fort Garry Campus on September 14th. At each station you will earn an eating utensil (bowl, spoon, cup), which you will need to enjoy lunch at the finish line.

Play traditional Indigenous games at the Quad in the centre of campus led by Instructor Blair Robillard, community games expert. Then proceed to the Pedway to learn Métis jigging steps from prominent Métis dancer and teacher, Dean Davis (Jig’n’Time). Further down the road at Migizii Agamik Bald Eagle Lodge, test your knowledge of Indigenous pop culture for a chance to win a prize.

Next, come inside Migizii Agamik to hear the beautiful sounds of Inuit throat singing with local talent Nikki Komaksiutiksak, sign up for a UMASA (Aboriginal Student Association) membership, meet the Indigenous Student Centre Elders and staff of the building, and enjoy some soup and bannock.

Stations will be open from 11:00 a.m. – 2 p.m. Lunch will be served from noon – 2 p.m. in Migizii Agamik.

The U of M has recently renewed its self-declaration process for Indigenous students. Stop by our information booth in Migizii Agamik to learn about the benefits of self-declaring and how to opt-in to our brand new Indigenous Student Newsletter.

#ideclareindigenous

Indigenous students are taking part in a campaign to raise awareness about the U of M’s renewed self-declaration process.

Using #ideclareindigenous they are sharing messages on social media.

Indigenous students are invited to come to Migizii Agamik – Bald Eagle Lodge as part of Indigenous Orientation on Wednesday, Sept. 14 where there will be a photo booth set up to share their reasons for self-declaring: #ideclareindigenous because…

Thursday, Sept. 15

Planetarium Day and Métis Awareness

11 a.m. – 1 p.m. | Migizii Agamik Bald Eagle Lodge front lawn

Hear Indigenous stories of the stars.

Most people can point out the Big Dipper or Orion, but have you ever looked at starry skies through an Indigenous lens? Wilfred Buck will share Cree Star Stories from inside a portable planetarium during three sessions (11 a.m., noon, and 1:00 p.m.) on the front lawn of Migizii Agamik.

11 a.m. – 1 p.m. | Migizii Agamik Bald Eagle Lodge

Workshop: What does it mean to be Métis?

For their project 100 Métis, Winnipeg filmmakers Janelle and Jérémie Wookey asked Métis people to share their stories about what it means
to be Métis. We will host two screenings of this project followed by a discussion (11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.) in the Circle Room of Migizii Agamik.

Also, visit our information station in the foyer of Migizii Agamik to meet staff from the Louis Riel Institute, and find out how to apply for a Métis card and/or get involved in the Métis community on campus.

Friday, Sept. 16

Ceremony Awareness

10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. | Migizii Agamik Bald Eagle Lodge lawn

Learn the traditional teachings of ceremonies, sweat lodges, pipe ceremonies and more. Participate in a traditional sweat lodge at 3 p.m.

Do you have questions about smudging? Are you unsure about offering tobacco? Are you interested in learning more about the sweatlodge? Join us for a day of ceremony awareness. Teachings will take place in the Circle Room of Migizii Agamik from 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Traditional Cree teacher, assistant professor, and Canada Research Chair, Michael Hart, will lead a sweatlodge ceremony at 3 p.m. Please contact isc@umanitoba.ca for more information.

For questions about any of these activities, contact the Indigenous Student Centre at isc@umanitoba.ca or 204-474-8850.