Services & Programming

WISC hosts “Crafter-Noons” once a month, where an Indigenous facilitator is available to support Indigenous students either through a craft of their own, or through a small, guided project. Indigenous students are welcome and encouraged to engage with their creative project of choice at any time that we are open. There is a large inventory of crafting supplies in WISC that is always available to support Indigenous students’ expressions of art and creativity.  Some common craft choices among Indigenous students are beading, crafting and sewing. Here are just a few of the many supplies we have available for Indigenous students :

• beads, needles, thread, beading trays, beading looms, cabochons;
• dreamcatcher hoops, suede cord, sinew thread, wire;
• ribbons, fabric, chalk, iron, ironing board, sewing machines;
• paints, paint brushes, cardstock, glue, tape, scissors, markers;
• and much more!

We also offer Special Craft Workshops every term that are constantly changing to support a variety of interests and Indigenous identities. These workshops provide an opportunity for Indigenous students to learn a new skill through a guided and supported culturally appropriate way. Some past examples of Special Craft Workshops include: moccasin-making, beaded pins, beaded earrings, sewing ribbon skirts and shirts, wood spoon-carving and painting. Come see what we have for you here, perhaps you will find a stress-reliever from your studies, let your creative mind wander, and discover something new!

WISC is equipped with ventilation to allow for smudging right in the center. There are some simple protocols when smudging: turn on the exhaust fan and close the main door. You can find all the supplies that you need right in WISC, and our staff are available to help you learn the ceremony of smudging if this is something you have not done before, or do not know how to do yourself. If you want to smudge at home, just let one of the WISC staff know and we will provide you with your own smudging kit with all the materials you will need to smudge off-site. Traditional medicines that are typically provided by WISC include sage, tobacco and sweetgrass. If there is a medicine you would like access to, just let us know and we can work with the broader Indigenous community to find what you need to feel good in your being. Don’t be shy…ask a WISC staff member if you have any questions, suggestions, or for more guidance and support!

WISC houses a commercial kitchen where the weekly Soup & Bannock Lunch takes place. Indigenous students are welcome to utilize the WISC kitchen during operational hours. In the 2022-23 academic year, many Indigenous students, the Indigenous Students Association (ISA), WISC and In-House Elders engaged in the co-development of protocols for individual use of the kitchen. WISC requires that Indigenous students, staff and community follow the protocols for continued use of the space – the protocols are available under “Important Document, Applications & Forms” and are posted outside the kitchen access door.

Indigenous students living on-campus are also offered after-hours access through an application process – you can find this information in the same places as the protocols. If an Indigenous student would like to use the kitchen during operational hours or after-hours, completion of Food Safety Training (FS 1001 on Learn under self-registration) and a completed and approved WISC User Agreement are required in advance.

Inside the kitchen you will find it fully equipped with an oven and stovetop, cooking utensils, fridge and freezer, a variety of small appliances, sinks and cleaning supplies. For Indigenous students, WISC also supplies the kitchen with a Keurig coffee machine and coffee pods, snacks and supplies to make Bannock – let’s see who has the most deadly fry bread recipe!  Good luck beating our longtime volunteer Sylvia who makes Bannock nearly every week for Soup Lunch.

If you are looking for a quiet and focused room to study, WISC has a dedicated room equipped with four individual work desk stations available for drop-in at any time during operational hours. Here you will also find a computer station and printer all available on a first-come, first-serve basis. There is a large whiteboard and markers for all your brainstorming and study sessions and the room is supplied with paper, pens, pencils, highlighters, calculators, timers, mini whiteboards, stapler, paper clips and sticky notes. Indigenous students are welcome to close the door to block out noise from the general WISC space, but keep in mind that many Indigenous students often utilize this space as it is a community working space to help you succeed in your academic studies and/or work search.  

WISC is proud to offer Indigenous students weekly access to an Indigenous Elder-In-House in room 230 on Tuesdays. We are blessed to have good relations and friendship with a variety of Indigenous Elders with different backgrounds and Indigenous identities.The Indigenous Elders are all eager to meet you and get to know you during their time in-house. They hold profound knowledge, experience, and teachings that they want to share with you. WISC encourages reciprocity in all our relations, and we encourage everyone to consider offering a tobacco tie when approaching an Indigenous Elder for guidance. There is a different Indigenous Elder each month during the Fall and Winter terms. We do not house Indigenous Elders in the Spring term as many folks are away for the season and engaging in ceremonial events. Every Tuesdays you can access the Indigenous Elder in the Elder Room for drop-in individual sharing opportunities. Once a month, during their visits, the Indigenous Elder also facilitates a Group Sharing Circle in the afternoon where everyone is welcome to join. These will be posted on our socials. The academic journey during your life can be especially challenging for Indigenous learners, so we hope you find connection, support and strength with the Elders-In-House.

What: Drop-In, Individual Sharing Opportunity

When: Tuesdays 9:00 am – 12:00 pm and 1:00 pm - 4:00pm

Where: WISC, UTD Room 230

*WISC Elders-In-House during Fall & Winter terms only*

Every other Tuesday, an Indigenous friend to WISC is invited to host a Group Drumming Circle where Indigenous students can come together to practice singing and hand drumming. Singing is completely optional, and students are welcome to bring their own drums or use one of the five drums and many shakers provided by WISC. There are often many optional opportunities for the Group Drumming Circle to share song at a variety of events, including our Fall and Winter Wiisnidaa Feast for Indigenous students.  People of all skill-levels and know-how are welcome! Beginners will be guided.

When: Tuesdays, 6:00 - 7:00 pm

Where: WISC General Gathering Space, room 228

Terms: Fall & Winter