Program

Breakfast
Marshall McLuhan Hall, Room 204, University Centre

Welcome and Opening Remarks
Lisa O'Hara, Vice Provost (Libraries) & University Librarian, University of Manitoba
Dr. Ayush Kumar, Professor & Associate Dean (Strategic Initiatives), Faculty of Science, University of Manitoba
Marshall McLuhan Hall, Room 204, University Centre

"Illuminating Pathways to Success: Empowering Indigenous Science Students through the Wawatay Project"
Drs. Carrie Selin and Melanie Lalonde (Wawatay, Faculty of Science, University of Manitoba)
Marshall McLuhan Hall, Room 204, University Centre

The Wawatay Project, launched in May 2021, stands as an Indigenous-led initiative dedicated to empowering and supporting Indigenous science students on their educational journey. Rooted in the Anishinaabe term for northern lights, "Wawatay" symbolizes the project's commitment to illuminating pathways to success through culturally responsive methods and tailored initiatives. Embracing a "two-eyed seeing approach," Wawatay harmonizes Indigenous knowledge with classical science, fostering an environment where Indigenous students can thrive by bridging diverse worldviews. From enrollment to graduation, Wawatay provides holistic support, nurturing students through research, immersive learning experiences, and integration into the campus Indigenous community. This inclusive framework not only cultivates academic success but also nurtures cultural identity, preparing students to contribute meaningfully to both scientific endeavors and Indigenous community life in Manitoba. The presentation will shed light on the transformative potential of initiatives like Wawatay in expanding the value and interconnectedness within the scientific domain while promoting reconciliation and mutual understanding between Western and Indigenous scientific perspectives.

Coffee and Refreshments
Marshall McLuhan Hall, Room 204, University Centre

Dr. Kyle Bobiwash (Assistant Professor and Indigenous Scholar, Department of Entomology, University of Manitoba)
Marshall McLuhan Hall, Room 204, University Centre

Lunch
Sponsored by the University of Manitoba Libraries
Marshall McLuhan Hall, Room 204, University Centre

"Manitoban Skies and Local Astrophysics"

Lockhart Planetarium Tour and Presentation by Dr. Danielle Pahud (Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Manitoba)
Room 394, University College (http://www.physics.umanitoba.ca/astro/?page_id=8)
Sponsored by IET

Coffee and Refreshments
Marshall McLuhan Hall, Room 204, University Centre

"Equity and Data"
Dr. Jenna G. Tichon (Department of Statistics, University of Manitoba)
Marshall McLuhan Hall, Room 204, University Centre

In this talk, we will discuss the importance of considering where data comes from, how it is collected, and how it is presented. It is easy for statisticians to think of themselves as objective number crunchers but we constantly make design decisions in data collection that have a large effect on which voices get heard, who gets attention, and which populations get improved or further marginalized. We’ll explore this idea in a broader sense but also talk about how we can incorporate these lessons in the classroom and make this an everyday conversation.

Free Time

Banquet
Daily Bread Cafe, St. John's College

Please note: a quiet room is available for use by conference attendees, in Room 115 in the Elizabeth Dafoe Library. Please use code 3600 to enter the room. The room is available from 8am-6pm on June 10 and 11.