Indigenous Initiatives Orillia Campus
Student Services
The Office of Indigenous Initiatives offers a variety of services, connections to resources and referrals for all students. As part of the Orillia Student Affairs team, we work collaboratively with other Orillia campus services to meet your specific needs.
Individual Support
Contact the Indigenous Initiatives Coordinator to connect with a network of support and build a personalized plan to suit your goals/needs at orillia.ii@lakeheadu.ca
UPDATE: To book an appointment for online counselling with Sheryl O'Reilly, Indigenous Student Counsellor. Contact counsellor.issc@lakeheadu.ca or (807) 228-3420
Language and Culture
Everyone from all backgrounds is welcome to attend gatherings and workshops advertised in our events calendar. All language and cultural gatherings are family-friendly with no experience necessary. https://www.lakeheadu.ca/indigenous/events
Visiting Elders
UPDATE: Pop-Up Indigenous Resource Centre has temporarily moved online. Contact us or check the calendar to see upcoming dates. Traditional medicines can be accessed in the Maawnjigamig Academic Success Zone (OR1013, Residence Building) or the Alumni Commons (2nd Floor, Simcoe Hall).
Financial Aid
There are hundreds of scholarships, bursaries, and awards available through the Lakehead MyAwards Portal and external sources. Our advice? Apply, apply, apply!
Indigenous Scholarships & AwardsCommunity Resources
Students can find a sense of community support and access cultural learning through various local organizations. Check out the links below and stop by our office to talk about what's happening near the Orillia Campus.
Orillia Native Women's Association
Mamaway Wiidokdaadwin Primary Care Team
Indigenous Teaching Resources
The resources included within this website have been compiled to support Lakehead Orillia's Faculty of Education teacher candidates with infusing Indigenous Knowledges and pedagogies into their teaching practice and engaging their students in cross-curricular learning about/with Indigenous Peoples. This website includes multimedia resources that are geared toward the primary/junior division.
https://sites.google.com/prod/lakeheadu.ca/lakeedor-indigenous/home
Spaces
The Office of Indigenous Initiatives is active in all Lakehead University Orillia Campus buildings.
Residence Building (OR)
| Office of Indigenous Initiatives (OR1019) |
 Located on the 1st floor of the Residence Building, past the elevators in the Student Affairs/Social Work hallway, our office is a designated safe space for smudging. Meet with the Indigenous Initiatives Coordinator to create a personalized plan and network of support to suit your goals/needs or arrange to meet with an elder. |
| Maawnjigamig Academic Success Zone (OR1013) |
 "The Zone" is located on the 1st floor of the Residence Building, past the elevators in the Student Affairs/Social Work hallway. This is a designated safe space for smudging and where you can access the kitchenette (fridge, microwave, coffee, tea and snacks). Occasionally we use this space for gatherings and activities. |
| Wellness Centre |
 Also located on the 1st floor of the Residence Building in the Student Affairs/Social Work hallway, the wellness centre is occasionally utilized by Indigenous Initiatives as a confidential space for students to meet with an elder. |
Simcoe Hall (OA)
| Alumni Commons |
 Located on the 2nd Floor of Simcoe Hall Building, the Alumni Commons is a designated safe space for smudging and where students have 24/7 access to traditional medicines and tobacco tie supplies. For access outside of regular business hours, please see our friends in Security on the 1st floor beside Student Central where they can remotely open the door. |
| Heritage Place |
 Traditional smudging takes place at our Heritage Place campus by request with at least two days' notice. Please contact the Indigenous Initiatives Coordinator for support. For more information about smudging on campus, please view our policy. |
| Wiigwasitig Gitigaan "Birch Tree Garden" |
 The Wiigwasitig Gitigaan is lovingly named after the paper birch tree which looks to the four directions. This area is located behind the Simcoe Hall building and is open for everyone to enjoy and contribute with guidance. We are especially grateful to the students of the Lakehead Farm Club, Orillia Native Women's Group Ambe Tigadaw program, and all volunteers who help to maintain this beautiful space. For more information or to arrange for a visit with your class, please contact the Indigenous Initiatives Coordinator. The Wiigwasitig Gitigaan includes: Medicine Wheel Teaching Garden Ambe Tigadaw Three Sisters Garden Tipi and Fire Pit Community Gardens Our friends at the City of Orillia also run the Allotment Garden within this area. Individuals and families register for a numbered raised bed in the early spring through the City of Orillia Community Gardens Coordinator. More information is posted here: https://www.orillia.ca/en/living-here/communitygardens.aspx |
Orillia Campus Team
Pathways to Wellness
Indigenous Initiatives Orillia contact:
Are you ok?
Our How to ask for Help at Lakehead guide was made for you.
Student Health and Wellness at Lakehead
Need to talk to someone right now?
Good 2 Talk is a free, confidential 24/7 post-secondary student helpline. Call 1-866-925-5454 or text GOOD2TALKON to 686868.
Hope for Wellness is a free and confidential helpline for Indigenous peoples.1-855-242-3310 or chat online.
Talk4Healing is a culturally-grounded confidential helpline for Indigenous women. Call 1-855-554-HEAL, text or chat online.
Trans Lifeline provides trans peer support for our community; run by and for trans people. Call (877) 330-6366.
The Residential School Crisis Line is available 24/7 at 1-866-925-4419
For emergencies or a mental health crisis, please call Simcoe County Crisis Line at 705-728-5044 or 1-888-893-8333. Or visit your nearest emergency services department and/or call 9-1-1.