Building Indigenous pathways and supports

Indigenous Career Services

Through Career Services, we are supporting an Indigenous Career Consultant position at University of Manitoba. The Indigenous Career Consultant supports students in figuring out their future! Helping students connect their interests to occupations, determine the degree path that suits their unique occupational goals, make informed career choices, find experiential learning opportunities, or build excellent job search strategies.

This position works out of the Career Service office, but also provides drop-in services at Migizii Agamik on a bi-weekly basis (September to April). The Indigenous Career Consultant collaborates with Indigenous student groups and programs across campus to provide career development workshops that cater to Indigenous students' needs.

The Indigenous Career Consultant liaisons and supports work with external employers who are looking to connect and recruit Indigenous Students. This position assists employers by supporting job postings, discussing recruitment strategies, as well as collaborating in event planning such as the Mini Indigenous Career Fair.

This position is also responsible for the Indigenous Career Mentor Program. The Indigenous Career Mentor Program (ICMP) was designed as an extension to Career Services existing Career Mentor Program. The goal of ICMP is to connect Indigenous students with Indigenous professionals in the community for career guidance and industry information. Mentors may share their personal experiences and provide advice to students on how to navigate career opportunities and challenges

Contact Jordan Robinson directly at Jordan.Robinson@umanitoba.ca, or at 204-474-9669.

Joined EleV in 2022.

Land and Water: Indigenous Land-based Education Program

The Land and Water program runs from October through to Summer. Drop in events take place in September and from June to August. The Land and Water Program is an Indigenous land-based education program that brings together Indigenous, and other students, community members, knowledge holders, and elders to participate in immersive urban land-based experiences, as well as engaging online workshops and activities. This year’s programming explores Indigenous land-based knowledge systems from a seasonal lens. This program is a wonderful opportunity for urban Indigenous youth and students, 2S/LGBTQ+ youth and students, UM students and others to learn about Indigenous peoples enduring relationships with land and place.

Participants will:

• Learn on, from and about the land,
• Explore Indigenous land-based knowledge systems from a seasonal lens,
• Develop a sense of place and belonging, and
• Spend time with elders and knowledge holders and engage in ceremonies.

In 2023, the Land and Water Program will be supported through the EleV partnership and looks forward to expanding the program through the development of Oskâpêwis Training Program (Scaabe School).

Joined EleV in 2024.

Oskâpêwis Training Program

Scaabe School introduces Indigenous UM students to the roles and responsibilities of being an Oskâpêwis (Scaabe/kwe) or Helper to the Lodge keepers and caretakers for the new Sweat Lodge on the Fort Garry campus. Scaabes will learn experientially, on-the-land, and in ceremony about the helping work required to run the Sweat Lodge.

Program Goals:

• Experientially instruct participants about the roles and responsibilities of being a Scaabe or helper to the Sweat Lodge keepers and caretakers,
• Support 20+ Sweat Lodges for the UM community,
• Introduce participants to ceremonial communities and like-minded peers,
• Teach participants how to work with Elders, Knowledge Holders, and community members,
• Introduce participants to Indigenous pedagogies/ways of learning and teaching.

If you would like to learn more about the Land and Water Program, contact Meghan Young, Program Assistant Meghan.Young@umanitoba.ca. For Scaabe School, please contact Nicki Ferland, Community Engaged Learning Coordinator, Indigenous, at Nicki.Ferland@umanitoba.ca, or by phone at 204-474-6992.

Joined EleV in 2024.

Sport, Physical Activity and Recreation in the Community Certificate (SPARC)

The Sport Physical Activity and Recreation in the Community (SPARC) certificate program (2019), aims to build the capacity of First Nations schools and educational leaders to deliver quality physical education and recreation programming throughout communities in Manitoba.

The SPARC certificate program consists of 237 contact hours with combined non-credit professional development instruction and for-credit introductory experiential learning courses. Courses are delivered to cohorts at UM's Fort Garry campus and surrounding areas.

SPARC courses explore Indigenous perspectives on physical activity, sport, recreation, fitness, health and wellness. Educational assistants, teachers and young adult health leaders focusing on the areas of health and wellness are all ideal candidates for the SPARC program.

SPARC normally takes a minimum of 8 months to complete. Students will have up to 4 years from the initial start date (first term of enrolment) to complete the program.

SPARC can help students who have traditionally faced barriers to educational success with intensive cultural, community and academic support.

Contact Bree Cruise, Lead for Indigenous Achievement & Outreach at Bree.Cruise@umanitoba.ca to learn more about the next cohort intake and admission date. 

Joined EleV in 2022.