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Are you an incoming student? Check out how the ISC supports incoming students and our orientation to introduce you to life at Laurier.
Academics are just one aspect of your Laurier experience. Your overall well-being, including spiritual, financial, and safety is crucial to your academic success.
Our Indigenous Student Support Coordinators are here to help you navigate all these aspects and the university system. They can guide you through the supports available both within the Indigenous Student Services space and across campus. There's no wrong way to start engaging with us, but reaching out to the ISSC is typically the first step to understanding how we can support you.
Waterloo Indigenous Support Coordinator, supporting Waterloo, Kitchener and Milton students.
I meet with students who express a diverse range of concerns or needs, and my approach to supporting you is individualistic, flexible, and adaptable.
Each student's experience is unique, and I take the time to evaluate your needs and arrange referrals and support. I advocate for our students to receive the support they need for a positive experience at Laurier.
As a previous student at Laurier, the Indigenous Student Centre helped me when I needed it, and I’m here to walk alongside your journey to help in any way you need.
I assist students with:
Brantford Indigenous Support Coordinator, supporting Brantford and online students.
I'm here to support you on your journey at Laurier!
Our students come from across Turtle Island and come into the ISC with their own unique experiences. I want to meet you where you're at and support you in a wholistic way, whether you just want someone to talk to or need specific guidance.
I also coordinate programming at the ISC. Come by and check out what we have going on! My office is on the main floor, so you can drop in to say hi!
I assist students with:
Maintaining a connection with your spirit is crucial during your time in school, whether you've grown up with cultural teachings or are eager to learn.
Make sure you are taking care of your well-being and seeking support when you need it. We have an Indigenous student counsellor who hosts workshops and is available for 1:1 appointments with students.
The ISC offers opportunities for students to engage with cultural knowledge while at university through our Visiting Elders and Knowledge Keepers program. This program allows students to connect with Elders for various activities, including spirit naming, storytelling, ceremonies, knowledge sharing, crafting, and individual appointments, both in-person and virtually. Knowledge Keepers can provide information on wellness teachings, ceremonies and protocols, traditional plants and medicines, value systems, and more.
The Taking Care of Our Spirit is program offers monthly Anishinaabe teachings on various topics such as the medicine wheel, dreams, women's teachings, and more.
The program often features sessions led by Indigenous knowledge keepers. In the past, guest facilitators have included Gail Whitlow, Michelle Thomas, and Jane Burning.
Students are encouraged to join sweat lodge ceremonies with Peter Schuler once a semester in Mississauga of the Credit. Before the ceremony, students can learn about the teachings of the sweat lodge.
In the fall we host a fall feast conducted by Margaret, to say thank you our scared items and helpers. Students from both campuses are able to attend this outdoor feast ceremony.
We host on-campus workshops covering various arts-based projects, and there are opportunities to learn different crafts throughout the school year. Information is shared with students via email.
As the Indigenous student counsellor, I work with both undergraduate and graduate students on the Waterloo and Brantford campuses. I facilitate programming related to Indigenous student wellness and support the visiting Elders program. I also meet with students in individual appointments.
I am a ceremonialist and I offer trauma-informed wholistic healing approaches focusing on mental health wellness (mind, body, spirit and emotion). As an experienced guide, establishing mutual trust and safety are my top priorities.
Some topics I can support you with:
Book an appointment with Margaret
Indigenous Student Support coordinators (ISSC) can provide support with course registration, program planning, changing programs, and add/drop procedures.
You can book a meeting with them via email to discuss your specific needs. Additionally, students can request that their campus-specific ISSC attend their academic advising appointments or set up a separate appointment with their ISSC to prepare for or debrief after an advising session.
Eligible Indigenous students can apply for the NSERC Undergraduate Research Award, which offers a summer research placement at Laurier with a qualifying professor. This opportunity allows students to work with a professor on relevant research topics, regardless of their academic program. While many projects relate to the Faculty of Science, opportunities also exist in Business, Arts, Geography, and Psychology.
Eligibility criteria include a GPA of 7.0 (B) overall, self-identification as an Indigenous student, and enrollment in full-time undergraduate studies.
Campus: Waterloo, Brantford
Laurier's Faculty of Liberal Arts, located on the Brantford campus, houses the Indigenous Studies program. Courses are available to students on both campuses.
Campus: Brantford, Online, Waterloo
At Laurier, we have an Indigenous Learning Consultant who is here to help you with the study and academic part of your journey. They support Undergraduate and Graduate students on all of our campueses. We have this role because at Indigenous Student Services we know Indigenous student bring important and valuable experiences and perspectives to academic spaces. Our role is to encourage you to bring your full self into your studies while sharing tips and tricks to help you succeed within the university system.
In addition to upper year Indigenous students who are able to offer pport, we have Peer Academic Coaches to support your study skills and Peer Writing Tutors who can assist with written assignments.
We can support with:
Improve your academic skills through individualized study skills appointments. Learn or strengthen your notetaking, review strategies, and critical reading techniques.
The learning consultant can work with you to develop your skills in a supportive and non-judgmental environment.
Campus: Brantford, Online, Kitchener, Waterloo
Peer Academic Coaching provides peer-to-peer support to help you transition to university life and beyond.
Connect with upper-year Indigenous students during drop-in sessions or schedule a 1:1 appointment to enhance your study skills.
Peer coaches for 2025-26 to be annouced for the beginning of the fall semester!
Looking to make an individual appointment? Book here.
Campus: Brantford, Waterloo
In collaboration with Writing Services, Indigenous writing tutors are available to help you develop the writing skills necessary for academic success. Outside of drop-in hours, these tutors are available for 1:1 appointments. Check the newsletter and monthly calendars for more information on drop in dates and book a 1:1 appointment via the student succes portal
Writing tutors for 2025-26 to be annouced for the beginning of the fall semester!
Campus: Waterloo, Brantford
If you prefer a more casual approach to discussing study skills, consider attending drop-in sessions with the Learning Consultant or Peer Academic Coaches.
Campus: Waterloo, Brantford
These monthly workshops alternate between sharing essential study skills and inviting campus partners to provide information on various types of support available to students.
Topics covered in the study skills cycle include time management, university-level writing, test preparation, note-taking, and strategies for multiple-choice midterms. During the campus partner cycle, topics may include co-op programs, international student exchanges, library and research skills, writing skills, career services, and more.
Study skills workshops are accessible virtually during the campus partner cycle.
Campus: Waterloo, Brantford
Stoodis offers study skills support in two formats. Study Skills workshops are virtual sessions focusing on topics such as time management and test preparation. Stoodis Study Sessions are in-person dedicated study times led by peer coaches. Coaches assist students in setting academic goals for completion during the session.
Campus: Brantford, Online, Waterloo
We know that taking the next step in your post-secondary education journey comes with a lot of change and have specific programs to make sure your needs are being met.
Contact the Learning Consultant for questions about workshops and events.
These are monthly gatherings that provide a peer-to-peer space for Indigenous graduate students to receive support during their academic journey, from transition to program completion. The gatherings serve as opportunities to share knowledge and offer mutual support.
There are three cohorts of students that participate in these meetings:
Each campus has a graduate peer mentors who are help host graduate student events and gatherings. They are available to chat with you via email or 1:1 to provide support as upper year graduate students with navigating work loads, research, and more!
Join us for multicampus gatherings where grad students can connect with peers, Indigenous faculty, and staff from across Laurier while engaging in cultural workshops and build a sense of community.
Participate in our cultural and wellness programming, tailored to graduate student needs. Explore teachings and practices that can support you during your graduate experience.
Each year, we host events featuring Indigenous scholars sharing their experiences and best practices in Indigenous research through panels and invited speakers.
Partnering with the Writing Centre, we offer workshops to help you transition to graduate-level writing and understand proper citation practices.
OGS, NSERC, SSRC, Laurier awards – there are so many opportunities to get support funding yourself and your research while in university, but navigating that can be tricky. We partner with financial aid to provide workshops to help you best understand your options and how to apply.
Join us for free soup lunches at each campus. It's a great way to start coming to the centre, make friends, and build community in a relaxed setting.
Unwind with us a few times a term at our game days. Each centre has a big TV and a Nintendo Switch with classic games. Not into gaming? We also have classic card and board games. Our staff are ready to match your energy for some friendly competition!
We listen to our students! Each year, we host events suggested by students. Past events include tobacco planting, iPad art workshops, bingo, movie or TV watch parties, and more. Have an idea for a fun social event? Let an ISS staff member know, and we'll do our best to make it happen.
The Indigenous Student Association (ISA) are student clubs at the Brantford and Waterloo Campuses focused on promoting cultural awareness through reconciliation, inclusivity, and friendship.
With events ranging from cultural and spiritual activities to bingo and movie nights, ISA creates community among Laurier’s Indigenous student body and other interested students. ISA is an opportunity for Indigenous and non-Indigenous students to come together in a safe environment to express themselves, make friends and learn more about Indigenous cultures.
Connect with the ISA
Waterloo:
Email: wluwaterloo.isa@gmail.com
Instagram: @LaurierISA
Brantford:
Email: wlubrantford.isa@gmail.com
Instagram: @laurierbrantford_isa
