National Indigenous History Month
Press Release
June 2, 2025
The University of Winnipeg is proud to recognize and celebrate National Indigenous History Month in June.
The University of Winnipeg is located on Treaty One Territory and the National Homeland of the Red River Métis, in Wiiniibak, Manido Abi. We acknowledge these are the ancestral lands of the Anishinaabeg, Anisininew, Ininiwak/Nehethowuk, Oceti Sakowin/Dakota Oyate, and Michif (Métis) Peoples, that our water is sourced from Shoal Lake 40 First Nation in Treaty Three Territory, and that most of our hydro-electricity comes from Treaty Five Territory in northern Manitoba. The University is committed to the ongoing work of ensuring Indigenous knowledges and perspectives are honoured, and to participating in Reconciliation.
“This month is a time for the campus community to acknowledge, honour, and celebrate the history, culture, resilience, diversity, and significant contributions of Indigenous Peoples,” said Dr. Chantal Fiola, AVP, Indigenous Engagement. “As can be seen below, there are many individuals and units across UWinnipeg that are working hard to uplift and celebrate Indigenous community, and make strides towards truth and reconciliation, not just in the month of June but throughout the year. I express my gratitude to everyone at UWinnipeg who is engaged in these meaningful efforts!”
Here are some developments from the campus community to celebrate from the past year.
The University of Winnipeg has updated its land acknowledgement and will hold a workshop June 3 at 11 a.m. in 2M70 where all members of the campus community are welcome to learn more about it and how to craft their own individual acknowledgements. Staff and faculty are also encouraged to include a
Eleven Indigenous students interested in graduate studies participated with 14 faculty research mentors in the shortened form on their e-signatures.
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UWinnipeg welcomed over a thousand children from nine different schools in Winnipeg’s inner-city, north end, and from Sagkeeng and Eagle Lake First Nations, for STEM Days , hosted by the Wii Chiiwaakanak Learning Centre and Faculty of Science.
This year UWinnipeg celebrated the 20th annual Graduation Pow Wow where Indigenous grads were celebrated and gifted star blankets in honour of the anniversary. The event featured a Red Dress Special in honour of Red Dress Day, and included a ceremony to honour graduates who are family members of MMIWG2S+, hosted by Giganawenimaanaanig (also known as the Manitoba MMIWG2S+ Coalition).
UWinnipeg hosted the Re-claiming Métis Ethics: Beyond OCAP and Towards Métis Sovereignty conference, a scholarly discussion with academics and community members on the historical, current, and future perspectives of Métis ethics.
Emerging and established Indigenous leaders at UWinnipeg were celebrated at the 2025 Honouring Indigenous Achievement Awards. This important annual event recognizes the achievements of Indigenous students, faculty, and staff. Eleven individuals—undergraduate and graduate students, staff, and faculty—were presented with an award and a star blanket made by Corey Sanderson.
The HIA awards celebrated Indigenous students, staff, and faculty.
Les Femmes Michif Otipemisiwak (LMFO) allocated King Charles III Coronation Medals to three UWinnipeg Métis faculty
who have demonstrated ongoing efforts to advance the well-being of Métis women, 2SLGBTQ+ individuals, and gender-diverse kin. Dr. Chantal Fiola, Dr. Laura Forsythe, and Dr.Yvonne Vizina, were flown to Ottawa to receive their awards.
across the Faculty of Arts, Faculty of Science, Gupta Faculty of Kinesiology and Applied Health, Faculty of Business and Economics, and Global College. The hire is part of a larger effort to advance Reconciliation and increase BIPOC faculty representation at UWinnipeg. Some of these new faculty members started with UWinnipeg in the fall 2024 term, and some in the following winter term.
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