Staff available
Unfortunately, smaller campuses may result in a reduced number of staff available to offer specialized supports. It is important to seek resources and/or help from someone who will fully understand you, create a safe space, and instill trust within you. As you navigate through your semester and services on campus, you may encounter change in staff or staff transitioning to different roles in various departments.
Indigenous Student Advisor (Georgian College, 2025; Wilfrid Laurier University, 2025b):
- One on one appointments
- Advocate on your behalf in various situations
- Financial aid guidance (Ontario Student Assistance Program (OASP)), scholarships, bursaries, the Post-Secondary Student Support Program (a federal aid program available to Status First Nation and eligible Inuit students), etc.)
- Assistance with course selection and changes
- Referrals to supports and services available on or off campus
- Provide support for academic petitions and appeals
- Assist with emergency support (financial, wellness, and academic)
Elder (Georgian College, 2025; Indigenous Student Services Centre, 2024):
- Provide one on one support, guidance, and encouragement
- Help students maintain and achieve wellness and life balance through mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual supports
- Bring Indigenous ways of knowing, culture, teachings, and language into post-secondary campuses
Indigenous student: “I would relate more to an Elder than a counsellor. Elder understands intergenerational trauma and counsellors do not understand what it feels like to be Indigenous student.” (CICMH, 2023c, p. 31)
Indigenous transitions navigator (Laurentian University, 2025):
- Provides support and assistance to first year students
- Delivers a transition orientation program (explores post-secondary life, expectations, study skills etc.)
- Supports developing a workplan for the semester or academic year
Indigenous counsellor (St. Lawrence College, 2025; Wilfrid Laurier University, 2025a):
- Traditional healing
- Culturally safe approach
- Understanding your Indigeneity (reconnecting to your Indigenous culture)
- Wholistic wellness (mind, body, and spirit)
- Emotional support in areas such as grief, stress, anxiety, etc.
Peer mentor (Georgian College, 2025):
- Senior level student who provides guidance and support
- Assists in navigation of supports
Indigenous advisor: “The sooner they [Indigenous students] begin to access services, the better equipped and connected they can be. ” (CICMH, 2024, p. 50).
Important tip: Remember to tab/save the dates on a calendar for upcoming deadlines for course withdrawal, tuition payments, exam schedules, reading week, etc.
For more information or to book an appointment online, you could search “academic success advisors” or “academic advising” on your campus website to find your academic advisor.
Reflective activity:
- Take the initiative and introduce yourself to one of the Indigenous staff members on campus either through email or in-person, whatever feels most comfortable to you.
