Transforming Indigenous students' talent and ambition into success in Science
Wawatay (Anishinaabe for Northern Lights) is offered through the Faculty of Science at the University of Manitoba and supports Indigenous students in discovering their inner scientists.
Wawatay does not wait for autumn to prepare students for their first year; it starts with a 4-week orientation in summer! From faculty members in science to support staff and leaders in various units, the UM community shows up to prepare students as they embark on a new academic year and journey.
Campus tours familiarize students with the university environment; research lab visits show them a glimpse of what the future might hold; and social events will grow the students’ community before they even start their new academic term.
Workshops, lectures and gatherings with faculty and staff improve students' access to resources and readiness for student life on campus.
In the summer of 2026, 15 new Indigenous students were accepted into the Wawatay and participated in the 4-week orientation. What started as a group of students who were meeting each other, maybe for the first time in July, turned into friendship and community at the end of orientation. Students were ready to begin their academic journey with confidence and feeling supported.
Though it starts with summer, it does not end there. Through this, the Wawatay team will work to anticipate and provide all that Wawatay students need to successfully graduate from the University of Manitoba with a science degree. To learn more about Wawatay, visit the Wawatay website.
Curious how the Wawatay Orientation 2026 went? Watch the short video on the Faculty of Science’s YouTube channel.
At UM, we encourage life-long curiosity while providing tools – inside and outside the classroom – to succeed in a rapidly changing world. Empowering learners is one of the strategic themes you’ll find in MomentUM: Leading change together, the University of Manitoba’s 2024–2029 strategic plan.
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