The Faculty of Health hosts various Indigenous events and teachings throughout the year.
For other events at the University of Waterloo, see Office of Indigenous Relations - Events and Days of Significance.
Upcoming events
There are no upcoming events currently scheduled.
Past events
2026 Faculty of Health Indigenous Recommitment Ceremony
Aaniin! Hello!
Health faculty, staff and students are invited to attend the Faculty of Health Indigenous Recommitment Ceremony.
Red Dress Day 2026
The Office of Indigenous Relations (OIR) and the Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Office (SVPRO) will host Red Dress Day to honour Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit People, featuring a sacred fire and ceremonial dress-hanging event by Elder Myeengun Henry. This will be followed by a storytelling presentation by researcher Tamara Bernard, who shares how storytelling serves as both remembrance and resistance—carrying the voices of those no longer here while restoring dignity and challenging harmful narratives.
2025 Faculty of Health Indigenous Recommitment Ceremony
Aaniin! Hello!
Health faculty, staff and students are invited to attend the Faculty of Health Indigenous Recommitment Ceremony.
Red Dress Reflections - Transforming Tomorrow
The Office of Indigenous Relations (OIR) and the Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Office (SVPRO) will host Red Dress Day to honour Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit People, featuring a presentation by Cher Obediah and a ceremonial dress-hanging event by Elder Myeengun Henry.
Indigenous Maple Syrup Storytelling
Join the Faculty of Health for traditional teachings and cultural practices surrounding maple syrup.
Columbia Lake Water Walk
Join Myeengun Henry for a walk around Columbia Lake in honour of Indigenous water activist, Josephine Mandamin! In 2003, Josephine Mandamin began walking around the Great Lakes to raise awareness about water pollution. In response to Indigenous Teachings that water is sacred and is essential for all life to sustain on Mother Earth, we will walk in unity around Columbia Lake to remember our obligation to keep water clean and continue Josephine’s commitment alive.
Faculty of Health Indigenous Recommitment Ceremony
Aaniin! Hello!
Health faculty, staff and students are invited to attend the Faculty of Health Indigenous Recommitment Ceremony.
Red Dress Day - Indigenous beading workshop
Join the Faculty of Health for a Red Dress Day Workshop and learn traditional beading practices with a local artist!
Red Dress Day
Red Dress Day marks the national day of awareness for missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and Two-Spirited people in Canada. Join Elder Myeengun Henry to honour and remember our missing and murdered sisters and to show solidarity with their family and loved ones.
Indigenous learning circle: Maple syrup
Join the Faculty of Health for traditional teachings and cultural practices surrounding maple syrup.
Indigenous Learning Circle: National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
Join us in a conversation about how to celebrate and honor National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Sun Life Financial Auditorium (LHS 1621).
Pow Wow 101
Join the Faculty of Health for Pow Wow 101 in the Indigenous Gathering Space (LHI 3701).
Indigenous Movie Night
Join the Faculty of Health for a free Indigenous movie night on Thursday, August 10, in the Sunlife Auditorium (LHI 1621).
Indigenous Movie Night: Night Raiders
What better way to celebrate National Indigenous History Month than by exploring Indigenous cinema?
Red Dress Day
Red Dress Day marks the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirited people in Canada. Join Elder Myeengun Henry on May 5, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. on the BMH Green to honour and remember our missing and murdered sisters and to show solidarity with their family and loved ones.
April Indigenous Learning Circle
Join Elder Myeengun Henry for another Thirteen Grandmother Moons (Madauswe Shi Sin Swe Nokimis Geezis) learning circle. We will be covering teachings from each of the thirteen months in the lunar calendar, which differs from the twelve months in the Gregorian (western) solar calendar.
Date: Wednesday April 12, 2023
Time: 2:30 - 4:00 p.m.
Indigenous Learning Circle
Join Elder Myeengun Henry for another Thirteen Grandmother Moons (Madauswe Shi Sin Swe Nokimis Geezis) learning circle. We will be covering teachings from each of the thirteen months in the lunar calendar, which differs from the twelve months in the Gregorian (western) solar calendar.
Date: Wednesday March 22, 2023
Indigenous Learning Circle
Join Elder Myeengun Henry for another Thirteen Grandmother Moons (Madauswe Shi Sin Swe Nokimis Geezis) learning circle. We will be covering teachings from each of the thirteen months in the lunar calendar, which differs from the twelve months in the Gregorian (western) solar calendar.
Blanket Exercise
The Faculty of Health is hosting a Blanket Exercise that is open to all Faculty of Health members.
13 Moons Learning Circle
Join Elder Myeengun Henry for the first in a series of Indigenous learning circles.
Indigenous Student Space Open House
Please join us to learn more about the Faculty of Health's Indigenous Student Space.
This is a chance to meet other students, as well as Elder Henry, and learn about our new space for Indigenous students. Pizza and snacks will be served.
Indigenous Teaching Circle
Join Elder Myeengun Henry for an Indigenous Teaching Circle.
Everyone is welcome!
Candlelight Vigil for the James Smith Cree Nation
Join Elder Myeengun Henry for a Candlelight Vigil in support of the James Smith Cree Nation. We will stand in solidarity with the families and communities affected by the horrific violence and trauma of last weekend. Everyone is welcome.
Virtual Tour of Residential School
Join this online or in person with other Faculty of Health members on a virtual tour of the former Mohawk Institute Residential School. Participants will see different parts of the building and have the opportunity to ask questions or share comments with the Cultural Interpreter.
Indigenous Learning Circle - Medicine Knowledge
Gain insights on Indigenous medicine knowledge.
Ceremonial Fire and Livestream of Papal Apology
Join Elder Myeengun Henry for a Ceremonial Fire on Monday, July 25, on the lawn (Finn Green) of St. Jerome's University. This ceremony will allow for time to come together and reflect on the potential for healing and reconciliation between the Catholic Church and Indigenous people in Canada.
Indigenous Learning Circle - Notable Court Cases
The law touches upon many aspects of our lives. Learn about notable court cases that involve Indigenous Peoples.
Indigenous Learning Circles
Join Elder Myeengun Henry for an Indigenous Learning Circle, where he will share traditional Indigenous teachings with students, staff, and faculty.
Faculty of Health Commitment Ceremony
Aaniin! Hello!
Health faculty, staff and students are invited to attend a ceremony to formally welcome Elder Myeengun Henry as the Faculty of Health Indigenous Knowledge Keeper and commemorate a new relationship of reconciliation in work throughout the Faculty.
Red Dress Day
Red Dress Day marks the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirited people in Canada. Join Elder Myeengun Henry to honour and remember our missing and murdered sisters and to show solidarity with their family and loved ones.
A brief history of colonization, intergenerational trauma, and genocide of Indigenous peoples in Canada
Dr. Michael Dan offers a brief history of the impacts of colonialism, genocide and ultimately the intergenerational trauma which persists today for Indigenous peoples living in Canada. For non-Indigenous Canadians, September 30, Orange Shirt Day, is a day of reflection, a time to confront the truths Dr. Dan will address.
A Year of COVID: Disparities, Inequities, and Inequalities
Featuring keynote by Dr. Cornelia Wieman, this event will highlight the ways in which members of Indigenous and racialized communities have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19.
Hallman Lecture - The state of Indigenous health in Canada: Causes and consequences
Using her experience as medical doctor and special advisor on health for Nishnawbe Aski Nation, Jane Philpott will examine causes and consequences of the main health issues in Indigenous communities.