A Year of Growth, Connection, and Momentum for Indigenous Education and Cultural Services
December 16, 2025
Congratulations to Aimée Danis, Director of Indigenous Education and Cultural Services (IECS), on her first year at Ontario Tech. Through her intentional and collaborative leadership, IECS has advanced support for Indigenous learners, and strengthened relationships across campus and in the community. This year reflects meaningful progress and momentum that the university is committed to carrying forward.
IECS continues to grow, expand supports, uplift Indigenous voices and advance reconciliation through national partnerships, community engagement, and student-focused initiatives.
2024-2025 highlights:
Increasing Indigenous student enrolment
Self-identified Indigenous student enrolment increased by 22 per cent from the previous year, with representation across all faculties. The largest growth occurred in Education, and Social Science and Humanities. This is the largest number of self-identified Indigenous students that Ontario Tech has ever had and we’re continuing to see that number grow.
Our Indigenous Community Engagement Co-ordinator, Alyssa McLeod, continues with outreach activities such as the provincial Aboriginal Post-Secondary Information Program (APSIP), the National Indigenous Youth STEM Summit and Indspire’s Soaring Indigenous Youth Empowerment Gathering, among various others.
National Indigenous University Senior Leaders’ Association (NIUSLA)
Aimée Danis has been approved as a member of NIUSLA, contributing to national advocacy, knowledge sharing and the advancement of Indigenous priorities across Canadian post-secondary institutions. NIUSLA brings together Indigenous leaders from Canadian universities who hold institution-wide mandates and is dedicated to strengthening Indigenous leadership in academia.
Representing Ontario Tech across Canada
IECS participated in key events, many for the first time, including:
- 2025 National Building Reconciliation Forum: Marking ten years since the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) of Canada released its 94 Calls to Action, this year’s forum was among the largest to date and featured reflections from TRC commissioners, and leading Indigenous scholars.
- Global Indigenous Languages Summit - WAVES 2025: Held on the traditional territories of the Anishinaabe Peoples, this summit emphasized language reclamation and revitalization, land-based connections, and the role of technology.
- Ontario Native Educational Counselling Association (ONECA): This year’s Honouring our Roots and Envisioning our Future conference focused on student wellness, and cultural knowledge building.
- APSIP: Actively travelling across Ontario and Quebec to meet and counsel prospective Indigenous students.
Campus and community engagement
- Annual Ontario Universities Fair and Open House: IECS connected with prospective students and showcased Mukwa’s Den and the Baagwating Indigenous Student Centre at Open House.
- Annual Orientation: Opened with smudging, drum songs and dance, and a traditional lacrosse demonstration from Onkwehonwe Games.
- Big Drum Social: A cultural gathering that welcomed families, students and community partners.
- Indigenous Education Advisory Circle (IEAC): Provides guidance to the university on Indigenous student enrolment, retention, support and awareness.
- Sugarcane documentary screening: Attended by over 300 people, followed by a conversation with author and filmmaker Julian Brave Noisecat.
- Sunrise Ceremony: Held in partnership with the Durham Community Health Centre, Durham College and Lakeridge Health at Windfields Farm to welcome seasonal change, and collective commitment to reconciliation.
Team growth
- Joceleyn Pelletier is named the Indigenous and Cultural Advisor.
- Recruitment is underway for an Indigenous Programming Facilitator.
- Catherine Davidson, University Librarian, is welcomed back as co-chair of the IEAC along with Julie Pigeon, Education Advisor for the Mississaugas of Scugog Island. Julie has been the IEAC co-chair since 2022.
Looking ahead
- IECS is preparing to launch a First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Staff and Faculty Affinity Group, creating new opportunities for connection and support across campus.
- IECS is in the early phases of planning a Round Dance in February at Ontario Tech—more details to be shared soon.
- In late winter/early spring, there will be a callout for employees to join an Orange Shirt Day and National Day for Truth and Reconciliation planning committee to help shape our learnings and opportunities for September 30, 2026.
- The IEAC meets several times throughout the year. Employees wishing to consult with the IEAC can reach out to indigenous@ontariotechu.ca.
Quotes:
"Our first year together has been rooted in listening, relationship building and creating spaces where Indigenous students feel seen, supported, and celebrated. The growth we have witnessed reflects the strength of our students, and the commitment of our partners across campus and in the community. I am grateful for the shared work we are doing to advance reconciliation and to ensure every Indigenous learner has a strong sense of belonging at Ontario Tech."
- Aimée Danis, Director, Indigenous and Cultural Relations, Ontario Tech University
"The work of IECS has strengthened our university in meaningful and lasting ways. Their leadership has helped us deepen relationships, embed reconciliation in our practices and enhance support for Indigenous students across every faculty. The momentum we are seeing is the result of this collaborative effort, and it reflects our shared commitment to creating a more inclusive and culturally grounded learning environment for all students."
- Dr. Mary Bluechardt, Deputy Provost, Ontario Tech University
Contact information:
communications@ontariotechu.ca
Have questions about this post? Feel free to reach out to the contact listed above — they’ll be happy to help!
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