U of R opens new wellness space for Indigenous graduate students

A new U of R space is bringing Indigenous research, graduate student supports, and wellness programs under one roof. Mick Favel has more on Indigenous Circle.

The University of Regina has opened a new space for Indigenous graduate students.

An open house for the Nanatawihowikamik Healing Lodge and Wellness Clinic was held on Sept. 23. The space is the new home for the Roots to Wellness Research Collaboratory and the SAGE program (Supporting Aboriginal Graduate Enhancement).

The clinic has been opened alongside a new Indigenous led research lab.

It’s a place where grad students can network and find the larger community they belong to in order to help each other through their studies. As a SAGE chapter coordinator, masters’ student Courtney Lavalley is pleased with the designated space.

“There are few of us and so coming together makes that journey a little bit easier,” she said. “You get support and a community supporting you throughout your journey and you can learn things from other faculties.”

The centre serves more than just a few groups. Its reach is wide by design, according to JoLee Sasakamoose.

For more than a decade while working as a professor with the faculty of education, Sasakamoose has been a key to moving this project forward. Now that the centre is a reality, the fact that it can serve so many purposes is by design.

“What happens in this particular space is this is the graduate program’s education psychology and counselling program’s counsellor training space,” Saskamoose explained.

“Then when it’s not used for classes, then we will have a healing and wellness group, the powwow and regalia group for youth is here, we’ve had women’s programs for intimate partner violence and all kinds of programs for healing and wellness. And that happens here as well.”

• Download the CTV News app to get breaking news alerts sent to your device

With the centre finally open after years of work, the University of Regina is proud of their members’ dedication to making an inclusive environment.

“That is a testament to the fact that, yes we are a colonial institution, but we are one that also is committed to pursuing the calls to action and adapting as best we can to be a place where people feel welcoming.” said Jeff Keshen, president and vice-chancellor of the U of R.

The U of R embraced that mantra of adaptation during the open house for the centre back on Sept. 23. HMS Learning Through Equine Group focuses on therapy methods that don’t take place under average conditions. The group’s founder and owner Brittany Lawres was thrilled by the students’ engagement with their horses.

“A lot of times, the conventional ways in the four walls don’t necessarily work for people. So just allowing them to be on the land working with the horses in that safe, non-judgmental, non-bias environment,” Lawres said.

Now, the Roots to Wellness Research Collaboratory will have an office space to focus on Indigenous health and culture, and Indigenous graduate students have a place to grow their community while making the university a space for everyone.