Neechiwaken Indigenous Peer Mentor Program

To become a Lead Neechiwaken, you must:

• be an Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit or Métis) UM student in good standing (a 2.5+ GPA is recommended)
• have completed a minimum of 24 credit hours
• be available for monthly meetings
• be willing to commit to communicating regularly with your assigned student
• attend a training session (see dates on application form)

All Lead Neechiwaken are interviewed before being matched with a new student. We invite you to apply early.

To become a Neechiwaken, you must:

• be an Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit or Métis) UM student interested in having a peer mentor for the year (September to April)
• be available for monthly meetings
• be willing to commit to communicating regularly with their peer mentor
• be a student in the Qualico Bridge to Success Program
  
  Mentor availability is limited. We invite you to apply for a mentor early to get peer support and build skills in your first year of study! Students will hear from their mentors in early September.

"Being a mentee through the Neechiwaken program gave me connection to the Indigenous community on campus,  and provided me with a net of support through my first year. Having a direct line to someone that has lived the University experience was invaluable as a new student. There will be a whirlwind of information coming at you and having someone to help you sort your best trajectory is imperative."
-Deanna Garand, Faculty of Science

"I became involved as a mentor with the Neechiwaken Indigenous Peer Mentor Program to help guide Indigenous students through their first year of university. Being a first-gen university graduate, I understand how scary it can be to navigate a post-secondary institution as big as the U of M. I am passionate about sharing the knowledge I have gained over the years to help others along their journey."
-Courtney Clark (she/her), Faculty of Science (Hons.)

"I became involved with Neechiwaken Indigenous Peer Mentor Program to get involved more with the Indigenous community on campus. As a first year Métis student, I didn’t know about a lot of the opportunities that were available for Indigenous students on campus. Being able to give the support to a first year Indigenous student that I could have used in my first year is why I loved being a mentor! This program is an amazing community to be a part of and developing relationships with other Indigenous students makes the busy semesters seem less stressful."
-Gillian McIvor, College of Medicine – Max Rady Faculty of Health Sciences

Supporting first year Indigenous student success

The Qualico Bridge to Success program nurtures the spiritual, physical, mental and emotional strengths of Indigenous students so they can be as successful as possible in their first year of study. 

New Indigenous students are welcome to consider any of the program’s opportunities. There is no cost to participate.

Learn more about the Qualico Bridge to Success Program