Origins

Vision

Truly achieve substantive equality for Indigenous students in the Manitoba academic, industrial, and economic landscape.

Goal

To address the disparity between Indigenous and non-Indigenous students’ access to supports and services, we have developed an “Ecosystem Map” of available resources for Indigenous post secondary students in the province that we trust will become an invaluable navigation tool for students and professionals alike.

Asset Map

Outcomes

By mapping the entire ecosystem of supports from all sources, we can:

1

Simplify the process of accessing available supports thus addressing barriers created by uncoordinated information dissemination.

2

Utilize it as a database for tracking, comparing and contrasting the nature of programs and services ex: eligibility requirements, demographic they serve etc.

3

Identify and eliminate duplications by rerouting those resources to fill existing gaps and thereby create more opportunities.

Functionality

Horizon has been designed with student needs in mind and can be easily searched in two ways:

  1. If a student has already identified which organization/institution, they would like more information about:

    They can search all the organizations in the database under SOURCES OF SUPPORT where they are listed by name with descriptions of, and link to, the services they offer.

  2. If a students know what they require but does not know where to look for supports:

    They have the ability to search by need under SUPPORTS FOR STUDENTS. Clicking on the type of service/support required will generate a search for all resources related to that particular need from every organization in the database.

For marginalized groups whose limited access to internet connectivity and exposure to navigating large institutions impedes sourcing out much needed services, this is essential.

Database

Organizations are listed by name with descriptions of the services they offer and links to their home page and specific programs.

Most organizations have multiple departments, programs, and resources, so as much as possible, they have been divided into categories according to how they self-identify or where they fit best.

Indigenous led organizations and/or resources intended exclusively for Indigenous peoples, have been weighted to appear at the top of every page.

The submit a resource section welcomes additions and edits to the database.

Concept

In keeping with Indigenous ways of knowing and being, this model is structured in a wholistic way based on the hierarchical nature of need fulfillment.

It is trauma informed in that it accounts for the impact on individuals when the effects of intergenerational colonial practices disrupt this process.

In particular, it recognizes the resultant socio-economic marginalization that necessitates unique service delivery for our Indigenous students.

Symbolism

Student Success

The seeds we sow in the life of one student can propagate limitlessly and have far-reaching relevance for us all.

Supports for Students

Sustained provision of these essential elements create conditions that can yield unfettered growth, nurturing our students to branch out and flourish.

A Coordinated Provincial Approach

A centralized resource hub can remove many unnecessary barriers that impede progress and erode optimism.

Sources of Support

Infused with this spirit, a deeply rooted commitment to reconciliation can provide the essential elements needed to support our students.

A Foundation of Reconciliation

The spirit of reconciliation must be the solid foundation that anchors stable, sustainable, meaningful change.

About the Artwork

The Horizon Tree art is a collaboration between the vision of Denise Tardiff, a painting created by Ryan Wiebe, and digitally rendered by Lexee Lindberg.

Lexee Lindberg is a Winnipeg artist that works mostly with digital mediums, watercolour and acrylic paints. She does commissioned art through her Instagram @artbylexee and is also a graduate of Université de Saint Boniface, currently working as an elementary school teacher.