Depending on your institution, you may have to move away from your home community to attend your post-secondary institution. There may be times throughout the semester when you feel homesick and lonely. Specifically, as an Indigenous student entering a colonial institution, the campus environment may feel isolating and your culture may not be adequately reflected or visible (IDI, n.d). In the next section of this resource (section 5), we outline helpful services and supports available on and off campus you may want to review that may help address feelings of homesickness.
Helpful ways to manage homesickness (IDI, n.d.; Indigenous Student Services Centre, 2024)
- Decorate your dorm, room, and spaces with items of cultural significance to you (traditional medicines, sage, sweetgrass, smudge, drum, etc.), items that remind you of home (pictures, blankets, artwork, candles, etc.)
- Cook and/or eat meals that remind you of home
- Practice ceremonial or spiritual practices (smudging, prayer, long house, sweat lodge, etc.)
- Depending on your campus, attend a free soup day held by your Indigenous student centre (Please consult with your Indigenous student centre for more information)
- Schedule calls with friends and family back home to maintain connection
- Reach out and talk to an Elder and/or Indigenous advisor about how you are feeling
- Engage and participate in on/off campus activities highlighting Indigenous community events and socials (e.g., Indigenous Friendship Centre, workshops, crafts)
- Connect and reach out to your Indigenous student centre and learn about programs, services, and supports available to you
For further reading and information, you can review CICMH infosheets on “Homesickness” and “Loneliness & Connection” found in the resource section at the end of this toolkit.
