Cultural programming at Ongomiizwin - Education focuses on creating a safe and welcoming environment for students and members of the university community to learn about First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities and cultures. Under the direction of the centre’s Elder-in-Residence and Knowledge Keeper, the cultural program offers a variety of events and teachings throughout the year, as well as individual or group sessions tailored to meet the needs of students.

Students who are actively involved in the cultural program with the Elder-in-Residence and Knowledge Keeper have the opportunity to earn their eagle feather during the time they are studying to become health professionals. The eagle is a symbol of truth, power and freedom. For this reason, one must always speak the truth when holding the eagle feather. The eagle feather is honoured and treated with great care and respect at all times.

Monthly cultural teachings
Held monthly during the academic year, cultural teaching sessions for students and mentors cover topics such as the smudge ceremony, dream interpretations, the seven natural gifts and the sacred fire winter solstice. Every teaching session concludes with a sharing circle for participants.

Full moon ceremonies
This women's ceremony is held in the evening during each full moon throughout the year. For information please contact our centre.

Seasonal ceremonies
Ongomiizwin - Education brings together students and mentors for a traditional ceremony and feast at the beginning of each season. Ceremonies are held on (or near) the fall equinox, winter solstice, spring equinox and summer solstice. Specific dates and details are announced in advance.

Sweatlodges
Sweatlodges are held four times a year. Special teaching sessions are held prior to the sweatlodge to prepare for the ceremony. Specific dates and details are announced in advance.

Guest speakers
Ongomiizwin - Education hosts a number of special events throughout the year that feature Elders and guest speakers from the Manitoba First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities.

Film screenings
Ongomiizwin - Education's film screening events showcase documentaries that address some of the issues relevant to First Nations, Metis and Inuit. Open to the public, these events are led by the Elder-in-Residence and include time for discussion and debriefing.

Workshops
The centre conducts hands-on workshops on a variety of topics, including mask making and medicine picking.

The Medical School Entrance Interview Workshop (MSEI) is a three-day session that supports Indigenous applicants who have been granted an interview with medicine.

Because of workshop's tremendous growth since its inception, funds are being sought to hire a workshop coordinator who will coordinate upcoming MSEI workshops. Through research and experience with the workshop, plans are to develop a step-by-step manual/guide which will allow faculty/staff to replicate and deliver the workshop year after year.

The manual could potentially be shared with other areas of the university engaged in similar interview processes and/or published for sale to be used in other medical schools across Canada.

The MSEI was originally developed and piloted by the Indigenous Physicians Association of Canada (IPAC) in 2012 and further developed by Dr. Melinda Fowler.

Contact us

For more information, please contact:

Kimberly Hart
Senior Lead, Indigenous health student affairs
Ongomiizwin – Education
kimberly.hart@umanitoba.ca
204-272-3168

The  Dawn Stewart Award for Research Support in Indigenous Health is named for Dawn Stewart, who worked in Indigenous health research at the University of Manitoba for over three decades. She finished her career at the university at Ongomiizwin – Research, Indigenous Institute of Health and Healing as the Research Programs Lead in 2017.

To qualify for the award, the applicant/nominee:

• Must be working in an Indigenous health research environment (not specifically university-based) for a minimum of three years.
• Must not be a Principle Investigator

Learn more.

Overview
The Drs. Carla and Newman Stephens Scholarship for Indigenous Health Professionals is for an Indigenous student in the health-care profession who has demonstrated leadership in their community.

Terms and conditions
Value: The successful applicant will receive $825. 
Deadline: Dec. 31, 2022

Selection Criteria
Rady Faculty of Health Sciences students with a minimum DGPA of 3.0 for an undergraduate student, or in good standing in the UGME program, or a minimum GPA of 3.0 based on the last 60 credit hours (or equivalent) of study for graduate students.  

Apply now
Students must demonstrate strong leadership skills in their community by submitting: 

• A written statement
• Abstract of their research project
• And one reference letter

To apply, please submit application package to: Brenda.Peterson@umanitoba.ca 
 

The Centre for Aboriginal Health (CAHE) Education Student Support Fund Bursary provides emergency financial assistance to members facing unanticipated needs related to their educational activity or their general cost of living while pursuing higher education.

Apply now

The Joan and Dean Sandham Scholarship in Aboriginal Health Professional Leadership is open to First Nations, Métis and Inuit students who have completed an undergraduate program in medicine or nursing and are pursuing further studies that will specifically enhance and develop their leadership skills.

Apply now

A range of financial aid opportunities for Indigenous students are available, both through the University of Manitoba and external partners. These programs improve access to education and increase representation of Indigenous students in various programs of study. 

To learn more, visit the University of Manitoba's Indigenous student awards page.