Indigenous STEAM
February 24 - 28, 2025
Hosted annually by the Office of Indigenous Initiatives this week-long event centres Indigenous voices, histories and knowledge and welcomes students, staff, faculty and community members to engage in a week of workshops, talks, film screenings and land-based activities led by Indigenous knowledge holders, Elders, scholars, artists and film makers.
Schedule of Events
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Indigenous Week 2025
Indigenous WeekMonday, February 24, 2025 - Friday, February 28, 2025Hosted annually by the Office of Indigenous Initiatives this week-long event centres Indigenous voices, histories and knowledge and welcomes students, staff, faculty and community members to engage in a week of workshops, talks and land-based activities led by Indigenous knowledge holders, Elders, scholars, artists and film makers.Indigenous Week Opening
Indigenous WeekMonday, February 24, 2025 , 10:00 AM - 12:00 PMStart Indigenous Week in a good way by joining us for breakfast!
Drop-In Smudge
Indigenous WeekMonday, February 24, 2025 , 10:30 AM - 11:30 AMDrop-In Smudge hosted by OII in F-215. All are welcome to join!↑Anishnaabe Ways of Life and Mathematical Applications
Indigenous WeekMonday, February 24, 2025 , 03:30 PM - 05:00 PMGuest Speaker: Bryan BellefeuilleIndigenous Storytelling Through Video Games & Animation
Indigenous WeekTuesday, February 25, 2025 , 02:00 PM - 03:00 PMGuest Speaker: Caeleigh Lightning of Studio EkosiLearning with the Land: Wiigwaas Jiimaan
Indigenous WeekWednesday, February 26, 2025 , 09:00 AM - 11:30 PMWiigwaas Jiimaan (Birch Bark Canoe) StorytellingWiidooktaadwin Indigenous Mentorship Lunch and Learn
Indigenous WeekWednesday, February 26, 2025 , 12:00 PM - 01:30 PMJoin past and present Wiidooktaadwin Indigenous mentors as they talk about their experience with Indigenous mentorship in higher education.Aanjibimaadsiwin Symposium
Indigenous WeekThursday, February 27, 2025This symposium is showcasing research being done with and for Indigenous survivors of sexual violence on two different projects with Drs. Stevens and Nagy, and with Prof. Przednowek.Mtigoog: Getsijig miinwaa Ekinoo'maagekwewag
Indigenous WeekFriday, February 28, 2025 , 01:00 PM - 03:00 PMGuest Speaker: Dr. Barbara Moktthewenkwe WallIndigenous Week Closing
Indigenous WeekFriday, February 28, 2025 , 03:00 PM - 04:00 PMWrap up Indigenous Week with afternoon tea and snacks.Minweyaang Round Dance
Indigenous WeekSaturday, March 1, 2025 , 04:00 PM - 08:00 PMGathered to have wellness together. Hosted by North Bay Regional Health Centre.National Indigenous History Month
Indigenous History MonthSunday, June 1, 2025 - Monday, June 30, 2025June is National Indigenous History Month in Canada, an opportunity to learn about the unique cultures, traditions and experiences of First Nations, Inuit and Métis. It's a time to honour the stories, achievements and resilience of Indigenous Peoples, who have lived on this land since time immemorial and whose presence continues to impact the evolving Canada.Anishinaabe Giizhgad Heritage Day
Indigenous History MonthFriday, June 6, 2025 , 10:00 AM - 01:00 PMCelebrate our stories, culture, and community with a day full of learning, sharing, and connection.17th Annual Maamwi Kindaaswin Pow-Wow
Indigenous History MonthSaturday, June 7, 2025 - Sunday, June 8, 2025 , 10:30 AM - 06:00 PMNorth Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre presents the 17th annual Maamwi Kindaaswin Pow-Wow at Lee Park; there will be indigenous craft vendors, food trucks, information booths, dancing, and more! Admission is free. Everyone is welcome!Fire Teaching and Full Moon Ceremony
Indigenous History MonthWednesday, June 11, 2025 , 07:00 PM - 09:30 PMIndigenous Peoples have used Sacred Fires for wellness, healing and gatherings. Fire is a sacred gift from the Creator, as well as a doorway of communication.National Indigenous Peoples Day
Indigenous History MonthSaturday, June 21, 2025For generations, many Indigenous groups and communities have celebrated their culture and heritage on June 21 or around that time of year because of the significance of the summer solstice as the longest day of the year.Speakers Biographies
Dr. Barbara Moktthewenkwe Wall
Dr. Barbara Moktthewenkwe Wall is a mixed-ancestry Bodwewaadmii Anishinaabekwe and enrolled member of the federally-recognized Citizen Potawatomi Nation in Shawnee, Oklahoma. Dr. Wall is a traditional knowledge holder and committed learner of Anishinaabemowin. She works to incorporate her cultural teachings and the language into all aspects of her life.
Dr. Wall is an Associate professor in Trent University’s Chanie Wenjack School for Indigenous Studies and the Director of studies for the Indigenous Studies PhD program. Wall’s research, geographically focused in the Great Lakes Basin, is based in the Indigenous Environmental Institute at Trent University and focuses on the collaboration of Indigenous knowledge systems and euro-centric scientific knowledge systems.
Wall holds a PhD in Indigenous Studies from Trent University, MSc in Civil Engineering for University of California Berkeley, and BSc in Geological Engineering from Michigan Technological University.
Beyond academia, Barbara is a mother, auntie, daughter, Nokmis and Grandmother. She has twelve years of experience teaching Grade 6 – 8 mathematics and science using Indigenous pedagogies, and is a Professional Engineer with over ten years experience in consulting engineering.
Bee Dokis-Belanger
Elsa Allen
JD Dixon
Vanessa Joseph
Zoe McLeod
Caeleigh Lightning
Caeleigh Lightning (she/they) is a mixed nehiyaw and Irish 2 Spirit artist and the lead artist and illustrator at Studio Ekosi, an indie studio formed with her sister Keara, who acts as lead writer and programmer. Together, create moments of joy and worlds that spark wonder, blending fantasy solarpunk aesthetics with Indigenous perspectives.
Demi Mathias
Demi Mathias is an Anishinabai Kwe from Bear Island and her clan is the Loon clan. Currently, she works for Nipissing University as the Student Success and Development Coordinator, Indigenous Transitions Programs. She is excited to teach and share about her passion of the Wiigwaas Jiimaan (Birch Bark Canoe), through story and teachings. Demi is leading us through a mini canoe making workshop where each person will create a mini canoe and have the teachings of the Wiigwaas Jiimaan.
Tyler Dokis
Tyler was born and raised in North Bay, is a member of Dokis First Nation, and is Eagle clan. Tyler is currently the Cultural Coordinator for the Gwekwaadziwin program (Withdrawal Management Program) on Nipissing First Nation, and has been running youth and adult cultural programs for 15 years in the Nipissing area.
Larry McLeod
Bryan Bellefeuille
Bryan Bellefeuille (Wabi Maskwanini, Waabizheshiinh doodem) is a firekeeper, a traditional dancer, a Lake Nipissing fisherman, and a loving husband and father of three. In 2022, Bryan was appointed as an adjunct professor with Nipissing University as part of the Arts & Science Faulty. He is also on the Science Program Committee for Science North. Currently, he works full time at WC Eaket Secondary School in Blind River as an Anishinaabemowin language and Indigenous STEM teacher. Bryan is committed to research in Anishinaabe mathematics and implementation of teaching principles of Indigenous STEM in the classroom.
