Neechiwaken Indigenous Peer Mentor Program

The term Neechiwaken means "friend" in Cree. This program helps first-year Indigenous students to transition to university life by promoting student engagement and a sense of belonging on campus. 

  • Two students study together inside Migizii Agamik.

  • The Neechiwaken Indigenous Peer Mentor Program matches first year Indigenous students with experienced Indigenous students, known as Lead Neechiwaken (mentors) who provide academic and social support and ongoing advice. Mentors are Indigenous students in any year of study, faculty or program. 

    The program provides all members with social, academic and cultural learning opportunities, peer-to-peer support, activities to support community building and the opportunity to be a Neechiwaken/friend to one another.

Lead Neechiwaken (our mentors)

A Lead Neechiwaken is the experienced student in the peer-mentoring relationship who is willing to participate in the reciprocal process of sharing their knowledge and skills to facilitate a new student's transition into university life and is a role that helps develop leadership skills.

To become a Lead Neechiwaken, you must:

  • be an Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit or Métis) UM student in good standing (a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 is required)
  • have completed a minimum of 24 credit hours
  • attend a full-day training session as scheduled on the application form
  • be available for monthly mentor gatherings
  • attend at least 1 social meeting per term
  • be willing to commit to communicating regularly with your assigned student

All Lead Neechiwaken are interviewed before being matched with a new student. We invite you to apply early.

Neechiwaken (our new students)

A Neechiwaken is a first year student who is new to the UM community. Often, new students will be searching for someone to support them in learning to navigate the university or someone to introduce them to the wider UM Indigenous community.

Willingness to participate and assist in the reciprocal process of sharing knowledge and skills is required. This will aide in developing academic and leadership skills with the opportunity to become a Lead Neechiwaken in the future.

To become a Neechiwaken, you must:

  • be an Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit or Métis) UM student interested in having a peer mentor for the year (September to April)
  • be available for monthly meetings
  • be willing to commit to communicating regularly with their peer mentor

Mentee’s who are regularly engaged with their mentor and attend at least 1 monthly meeting per term will be entered to win 1 of 2 $1000.00 tuition prizes at the end of the year.

Student testimonials

Being a mentee through the Neechiwaken program gave me connection to the Indigenous community on campus,  and provided me with a net of support through my first year. Having a direct line to someone that has lived the University experience was invaluable as a new student. There will be a whirlwind of information coming at you and having someone to help you sort your best trajectory is imperative.
Deanna Garand Faculty of Science
I became involved as a mentor with the Neechiwaken Indigenous Peer Mentor Program to help guide Indigenous students through their first year of university. Being a first-gen university graduate, I understand how scary it can be to navigate a post-secondary institution as big as the U of M. I am passionate about sharing the knowledge I have gained over the years to help others along their journey.
Courtney Clark (she/her) Faculty of Science (Hons.)
I became involved with Neechiwaken Indigenous Peer Mentor Program to get involved more with the Indigenous community on campus. As a first year Métis student, I didn’t know about a lot of the opportunities that were available for Indigenous students on campus. Being able to give the support to a first year Indigenous student that I could have used in my first year is why I loved being a mentor! This program is an amazing community to be a part of and developing relationships with other Indigenous students makes the busy semesters seem less stressful.
Gillian McIvor College of Medicine – Max Rady Faculty of Health Sciences

Contact us

Bailey Hendry
Indigenous student centre advisor
Migizii Agamik - Bald Eagle Lodge
114 Sidney Smith Street
University of Manitoba  (Fort Garry campus)
Winnipeg, MB R3T 2M6 Canada

bailey.hendry@umanitoba.ca
204-474-8850
204-275-3142