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The Indigenous Student Centre team

The Indigenous Student Centre is responsible for welcoming and supporting Indigenous students, as well as providing opportunities for students to learn about First Nations, Inuit and Métis culture.

Migizii Agamik – Bald Eagle Lodge
114 Sidney Smith St.
University of Manitoba (Fort Garry campus)
Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2 Canada

isc@umanitoba.ca
204-474-8850
1-800-432-1960, ext. 8850 (toll-free in Manitoba)

Indigenous Student Centre advisors

Student advisors at the Indigenous Student Centre are here to help you achieve your academic goals. We can help you create an academic plan, clarify university policies and we can connect you with important services, resources and programming.

Indigenous Student Centre advisors are available:

Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Please call (204) 474-8850 or send an email to isc@umanitoba.ca to make an appointment today.

Drop-ins are also welcome but are available on a first-come, first-served basis and are dependent on the availability of the student advisor. These hours may be affected by COVID-19. Please contact us for more information.

Indigenous Student Centre Mission Statement

Our mission as Indigenous student advisors is to provide holistic and culturally-grounded advising services for Indigenous students, where we consider mental, emotional, physical, spiritual and cultural well-being.

We are guided by the Seven Sacred Teachings in everything we do:

Obaadendiziwin (Humility) - Mai'iingan (Wolf)
Zaagidiwin (Love) - Migizii (Eagle)
Gwekwaadziwin (Honesty) - Sa'be
Nbwaakawin (Wisdom) - Amik (Beaver)
Aakwaakade'ewin (Courage) - Makwa (Bear)
Debwewin (Truth) - Mikinaak (Turtle)
Mnaadendimowin (Respect) - Mashkodebizhike (Buffalo)

Indigenous student advisors strive to achieve this mission by: 

  • creating space that is welcoming, family-centered and safe, where students can be themselves, demonstrate pride in, learn and expand awareness of their cultures and their peoples
  • supporting students with transitions to and within the university
  • teaching students how to be self-determining in their academic paths
  • providing accurate information and interpreting policy in a courteous and timely manner
  • acting as liaisons between students and their bands, faculties, families and professors
  • advocating for the needs of students to ensure that students have fair and equitable access to university services and resources
  • knowing our limitations and providing referrals to appropriate services whenever necessary
  • empowering students to recognize and use their strengths
  • ISC Director Carla Loewen

  • Carla Loewen

    Director

    Carla is a proud member of the Mathias Colomb Cree Nation and an alumna of the UM [BEd/01, BA/03, MEd/16]. Her master’s degree was in adult & post-secondary education with a thesis project about student retention and student development theory in relation to peer mentoring for Indigenous students and its connection to first-year student success. She has been working at the UM since 2005, first as an academic advisor with the University 1 First Year Centre and then the Indigenous Student Centre to be one of the student advising team and oversee the Qualico Bridge to Success program. Passionate about the power of peer mentoring, Carla believes that students who feel they are part of the Indigenous campus community and get involved on campus is key to having a rewarding university experience and her goal is to encourage students to do what they need to do have the university experience they want. Carla has made many connections with students, faculty and staff through programming. She is considered a formidable leader and a trusted colleague who works with integrity and humility. 

     

  • Vanessa Lillie, Faculty of Arts Indigenous academic advisor.

  • Vanessa Lillie

    Contact Vanessa for:
    Fireside Chats
    Student and cultural support

    Vanessa (she/her) is from the St. Peter’s Peguis community and has family roots in Peguis First Nation. An alumna of UM, she completed a Bachelor of Arts Honours degree in Psychology (2016). As a Student Advisor with ISC, she walks with students on their educational journey using a holistic, strength-based model of support. Vanessa is passionate about the empowerment of Indigenous people through education and students using their gifts to be able to contribute to our families and communities. Vanessa began her time working at UM as the first Indigenous Academic Advisor in the Faculty of Arts in 2016. She is the recipient of the National Academic Advising Association (NACADA) Region 6 Tribal Advisor Grant (2018) and she has been nominated for the Migizii Award. Along with meeting with students, Vanessa coordinates the traditional speaker series Fireside Chats, Full Moon Ceremony, and other cultural events in Migizii Agamik. 
     

  • Denise Proulx, student advisor

  • Denise Proulx

    Contact Denise for:
    Blankstein Momentum

    Denise Proulx is Métis from Winnipeg and is a proud first-generation alumna of the University of Manitoba, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology and Psychology. Denise is responsible for the development and implementation of the Blankstein Momentum Program and is currently working towards a Letter of Accomplishment in Academic Advising. She is a graduate of the University of Manitoba Leaders Learning Program, has completed the Prosper Canada Financial Literacy Facilitator Training and is certified by SEED Winnipeg Inc. as a Money Management Trainer. Denise is passionate about providing opportunities that aim to support Indigenous student success and is an advocate for celebrating achievements.

  • Justin Rasmussen, Indigenous Student Centre advisor.

  • Justin Rasmussen

    Contact Justin for: 
    Indigenous Circle of Empowerment (ICE) Student Leadership Development Program

    Justin Rasmussen (he/him/his) is Métis from Ile Des Chênes, Manitoba. Justin is a graduate of the University of Winnipeg (B.Sc.), University of Manitoba (B.Sc. 4-year Major; M.Sc.), and the University of Canterbury (New Zealand; Ph.D.) in the field of Biological Sciences. Justin is the recipient of the University of Manitoba Leadership Award, the Migizii Award, and is an alumnus of the University of Manitoba Leaders Learning Program and the Governor General’s Canadian Leadership Conference (2017). Justin is currently serving as the Chair of the Indigenous Student Affairs Network (ISAN) with ACPA College Student Educators International. Justin serves students at the University of Manitoba as a student advisor and by creating outstanding opportunities for leadership development as the coordinator of the Indigenous Circle of Empowerment (ICE) student leadership development program.

     

  • Ashley Edson

  • Ashley Edson

    Contact Ashley for: 
    SAGE program
    Graduate student support 

    Ashley Edson is a Nēhiyawēwin and mixed ancestry mother with family ties to the Peepeekisis Cree Nation in Treaty 4 Territory. Coming from a strong matrilineal line of helpers, she completed her Master of Social Work degree in 2016 from the UM and also holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in History (2010). She coordinated the Prairie Indigenous Knowledge Exchange Network (PIKE-Net), a Canadian Institute of Health Research supported student mentorship network program housed in Ongomiizwin Research from 2017-2020. Ashley is honoured to continue providing supports for current and prospective Indigenous graduate students through her current role as the coordinator of the Supporting Indigenous Graduate Enhancement (SAGE) program. 

     

  • Student advisor Desiree Morrisseau-Keesick

  • Desiree Morrisseau-Keesick

    Contact Desiree for: 
    Qualico Bridge to Success
    Neechiwaken Indigenous Peer Mentor

    Desiree Morrisseau-Keesick (she/her) is an Anishinaabe woman and a member of Grassy Narrows First Nation in Treaty 3. She was born and raised in Winnipeg’s North End and has maternal ties to Crane River, MB. Desiree earned her BA in Native Studies and Sociology in 2012 and shortly after, began her career with the UM in 2015 with Indigenous Student Recruitment (ISR). She is responsible for the program facilitation of the Qualico Bridge to Success and Neechiwaken Indigenous Peer Mentor programs. Desiree has always had a love for being a community helper and her role with ISR allowed her the privilege of working alongside many rural, northern and urban Indigenous communities. Her passion for cultural and community based programming was intensified after running the Indigenous Post-Secondary Club for six years. Desiree looks forward to connecting with students in meaningful ways and being a cheerleader for all incoming and current Indigenous students.

  • Student advisor Zach Unrau

  • Zach Unrau

    Contact Zach for: 
    EmpoweringU Financial Wellness Program

    Zachariah (Zach) Unrau is Métis from Winnipeg, Manitoba. Zach is an alumnus of the UM having earned a Bachelor of Commerce– honours degree (Human Resources and Leadership) in 2017. He is coming to ISC from Student Life and was previously part of the Indigenous Education Partners Program (IBEP) team. Through the EmpoweringU Financial Wellness Program, Zach will be responsible for providing students with the knowledge, skills, and resources to make confident and responsible financial decisions. Zach is pursuing a Professional Master of Education degree specializing in Indigenous Education at Queen’s University. Outside of work, Zach enjoys volunteering as an academic coach on Team Toba — the University of Manitoba’s undergraduate business case competition team for JDC West — and as a facilitator for Circles for Reconciliation. Zach believes in working collaboratively with students to meet their needs.

Indigenous Engagement and Communications

We work to attract and retain more Indigenous students, faculty and staff, to incorporate Indigenous perspectives and knowledge within UM's program offerings and to honour First Nations, Métis and Inuit traditions and cultures on our campuses.

  • Ruth Shead, Indigenous achievement student advisor.

  • Ruth Shead

    Director
    ruth.shead@umanitoba.ca
    204-474-6747

    Ruth Shead is a member of Peguis First Nation and is honoured to be named after her grandma Ruth, a Residential School Survivor who, despite not receiving an education herself, instilled the value of lifelong learning into her family. Ruth began working as the coordinator of Indigenous Achievement at UM in 2014. She is passionate about advancing the university’s commitments to Indigenous students and communities, sharing Indigenous knowledge(s) and research and celebrating First Nations, Métis and Inuit successes.

  • Events coordinator Grace Redhead

  • Grace Redhead

    Conference and events manager
    grace.redhead@umanitoba.ca  
    431-338-9737

    Grace Redhead is registered with Shamattawa First Nation in northern Manitoba, raised in Alberta and BC. Grace graduated from the University of Winnipeg where her studies focused on residential school history. Prior to joining Indigenous Engagement, Grace worked at the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation. Grace lives in Winnipeg with her partner and their two children, Tecumseh and Kateri.

  • Jenny Trenchard on white background

  • Jenny Trenchard

    Assistant to the director and events manager
    jennette.trenchard@umanitoba.ca
    431-373-6070

    Jenny Trenchard is a settler born in Robinson-Superior Treaty territory, now living on Treaty 1 land. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Education from the University of Winnipeg, and has committed her career to making healthier learning spaces for students. She is a supporter of BIPOC and LGBTQIA2S+ activism. Currently, she is focused on increasing her knowledge of ongoing processes of settler colonialism and anti-racist informed approaches within universities. She is honoured to have joined the Office of Indigenous Engagement and Communications in 2021.

  • Sarah Olson, Indigenous achievement student advisor.

  • Sarah Olson

    Project assistant
    sarah.olson@umanitoba.ca
    204-474-9190

    Sarah Olson was born in Treaty 1 territory and is a member of Norway House Cree Nation. She started her role at the Office of Indigenous Achievement in 2018 as the project assistant on the Manitoba Collaborative Indigenous Education Blueprint. Sarah completed her Bachelor of Arts (Adv.) in Psychology and Native Studies in 2016 and is pursuing a Master of Arts in the Department of Native Studies. Her research focuses on the ongoing misrepresentation of Indigenous women in Canadian society as a contributing factor of MMIWG2S and systemic oppression, and on the collective reclamation of narrative and voice.

  • Indigenous achievement student advisor, Nickita Longman.

  • Nickita Longman

    Communications coordinator
    nickita.longman@umanitoba.ca  
    306-535-1957

    Nickita Longman is a Saulteaux woman from George Gordon First Nation in Treaty 4 Territory. Following in her mother and older sister's footsteps, Nickita obtained her undergraduate degree from First Nations University of Canada in 2013. In 2018, Nickita was honoured to be nominated for a YWCA Women of Distinction Award for Community Involvement. She has great respect and interest in Indigenous activism in Treaty 1 Territory, and is grateful to call Winnipeg home with her partner and two cats.

Contact us

Migizii Agamik – Bald Eagle Lodge
114 Sidney Smith St.
University of Manitoba (Fort Garry campus)
Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2 Canada

isc@umanitoba.ca
indigenous.engagement@umanitoba.ca
204-474-8850
1-800-432-1960, ext. 8850 (Toll-free in Manitoba)
204-275-3142