Section 1: Introduction

Making the decision to further your education into post-secondary is a huge milestone. This resource will provide you with tools, information, and resources to help prepare for your journey into post-secondary.

Learning objectives:

• Explore what the student experience may be like as an Indigenous student in post-secondary
• Identify tips and best practices on budgeting, food, wellness, and housing as a student
• Recognize and understand the type of services and supports that may be available for Indigenous students on/off campus
• Learn how to take care of your mental well-being using a wholistic and Indigenous approach

How to use this toolkit

As you go through this toolkit, there will be reflective questions, activities and helpful resources to guide your transition journey into post-secondary. Additional worksheets are separately attached to download and print to make notes or reflect upon the content. Any resources mentioned throughout the toolkit can be found in the resource section at the end of the toolkit.

Positionality

Megan VanEvery belongs to the Seneca Nation and Turtle clan residing within her community of Six Nations of the Grand River. In her role as the Indigenous post-secondary knowledge and research lead at CICMH, she brings with her lived experience and work-related experience supporting Indigenous students in post-secondary. Megan relies on her Haudenosaunee teachings in the work that she does, such as keeping in mind the future generations to come and how her work will impact them. If you have any questions and or comments, please email Megan at mvanevery@campusmentalhealth.ca.

Preface

The concept of the transition resource was a passion project by Megan from CICMH. Her combined previous work experience with Indigenous high school students and post-secondary students inspired the need for the creation of a transition resource. There is limited knowledge on what to expect when entering or transitioning into post-secondary among Indigenous students. The purpose of this toolkit is to provide Indigenous students with the knowledge, supports, and resources available to be successful.

Land acknowledgement

CICMH, is in Toronto, Ontario, on Treaty 13 territory, and the traditional lands of the Anishinaabe, Haudenosaunee, Wendat peoples, the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Chippewa, and people who may still be unrecorded.

At CICMH, we strive to be an active participant in the reconciliation process, as we acknowledge the intergenerational impacts and harms that continue to impact Indigenous students, staff, and faculty on post-secondary campuses. We will continue to move forward in a good way to acknowledge and respect Indigenous perspectives and wholistic approaches to health and wellness.