Indigenous Student Resources

Community resources you can access:

  • Indigenous Initiatives Office - UWaterloo's Indigenous Initiatives Office works on- and off-campus to advance the goals of the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action and to create a long-term vision for the University that is grounded in decolonization. Indigenous Initiatives is a central hub for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis researchers, faculty and staff, along with allies within the Waterloo campus community. Additionally, the Indigenous Initiatives Office provides guidance, support and resources to ensure we are creating a shared vision towards the very necessary goal of reconciliation.

  • Waterloo Indigenous Student Centre (WISC) at St. Paul's University College - WISC provides services premised on understanding, respect, and trust, as well as a recognition of and sensitivity to the different cultural values and rights of Indigenous peoples and cultures. This centre facilitates the sharing of Indigenous knowledge and provides culturally relevant information and support services for all members of the University of Waterloo community, including Indigenous and non-Indigenous students, staff, and faculty. WISC also works in partnership with other Kitchener-Waterloo region Indigenous community services and organizations. 

  • The Healing of the Seven Generations - Assists First Peoples residing in the Region of Waterloo and surrounding areas. They work with individuals and families who are suffering the inter-generational impacts of the residential school system. This includes growing up in dysfunctional families; emotional, physical, sexual, and spiritual abuses; poor self-esteem or poor self-image as a First Peoples person; loss of culture; lack of awareness of cultural identity, teachings, values, and traditions; poverty, and addictions. They welcome First Peoples from all ages, genders, and cultural groups, including status and non-status First Nations, Métis, and Inuit individuals and families.

  • White Owl Native Ancestry Association - White Owl is dedicated to innovative Indigenous Wholistic practice with a commitment to whole person development within the family and community. The goal for children and youth is to experience belonging and value through relationship-building that encourages self acceptance, self expression, and understanding - a sense of place and belonging. Wholistic Practitioners work with individual clients and their families to help them in that process.
  • Guelph Community Health Centre - Indigenous Healing and Wellness
  • Qualia Counselling -  Qualia Counselling is passionate about providing services and outreach to Indigenous populations and communities, locally and across Ontario. As mental health experts they acknowledge the pain, suffering and trauma that has occurred within Indigenous communities due to colonization and actively work in all they do to support Truth & Reconciliation.

  • Southwest Ontario Aboriginal Health Access Centre - SOAHAC’s purpose is to improve access to, and the quality of, health services for First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples in the spirit of partnership, mutual respect and sharing.

  • CMHA Ontario - Health and Wellness Services for Indigenous Children and Youth