group of people holding up binoculars to their eyes and smiling, with trees in the background.
UM Indigenous Birding Club Birders on a birding walk through King's Park in the summer.
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Indigenous

UM Indigenous Birding Club wins national award for student engagement

Innovative, land-based approach earns recognition for building community on campus.

Estimated Read Time:
1 minute
UM Indigenous Birding Club Birders on a birding walk through King's Park in the summer.

The University of Manitoba’s Indigenous Birding Club (IBC) is flying high after earning national recognition for the way it supports Indigenous students. 

“The club is really a community,” said Justin Rasmussen, Director of the Indigenous Leadership Programming team. 

“It was created to improve mental health and wellness among Indigenous students.”

yellow warbler bird.
Top left: Yellow Warbler bird. Bottom right: Birding group members pose during a summer birding walk.
group of people together for a photo in the park, surrounded by trees.

The group that meets weekly for a noon-hour birding circuit to a nearby park has won the 2026 Indigenous Student Affairs Network Innovation (ISAN) Award. 

“The judges liked the way the club integrates land-based learning, wellness and community-building while making the outdoors accessible to everyone,” said Rasmussen, who is Métis and co-founded the group in 2023. 

ISAN bestows the award in partnership with College Student Educators International, a post-secondary student affairs association. 

While the program is aimed at Indigenous students, Rasmussen says everyone is welcome—and no birding experience is required. 

“We have our regulars,” he said. “Some participants have even needed help using binoculars.”

indigo bunting bird.
Top left: Indigo Bunting bird. Bottom right: Birding group members working together to spot a bird.
group of people with binoculars looking at a green tree.
It’s free to go out birding. It’s a cost-effective way to be proactive about your mental health.

Justin Rasmussen, Director, Indigenous Leadership Programming

The program’s impact is praised by Christine Cyr, Associate Vice-President (Indigenous) – Students, Community, and Cultural Integration. 

“The IBC creates opportunities for well-being across the entire UM community at a time when the university is prioritizing Reconciliation and Indigenous Knowledges,” she said. 

Participants track the birds they encounter—sometimes spotting 20 species or more on a single walk—take part in the annual province-wide Christmas Bird Count and share photos of their sightings on Instagram.

song sparrow bird.
Top left: Song Sparrow bird. Bottom right: Two eagles on a branch along the riverbank.
two bald eagles on tree branch against a blue sky.

“Birds hold significant cultural and spiritual importance in Indigenous traditions,” added Rasmussen, who holds a master’s degree in zoology from UM and a PhD in Biological Sciences from the University of Canterbury. 

“We’ve had Elder Carl Stone join us on a walk and share traditional teachings about bald eagles on the nest.” 

The Indigenous Birding Club meets Thursdays at 11:30 a.m. at Migizii Agamik – Bald Eagle Lodge.

Boilerplate: Community

Creating space for everyone to thrive is more than a goal—it’s who we are. Fostering a vibrant community is among the commitments you’ll find in MomentUM: Leading change together, the University of Manitoba’s 2024–2029 strategic plan.

By

Kathleen Martens