Services and Support
Student Advisement and Counselling
First Peoples@Seneca strives to provide a smooth transition to and successful completion of college life.
Support services and resources include but are not limited to:
- Academic, personal and career counselling encompassing cultural and traditional sensitivity
- Elder support, full moon teachings, class presentations, opening prayers/blessings for special events
- Drop-in counselling
- Assistance with band funding or sponsorship applications
- Community partner connections that offer support involving housing, bursaries, health services, and youth groups
- Computer lab with updated software for most academic programs
- Comfortable and friendly environment to socialize or study
Tutoring Program
The Indigenous Student Services Peer Support Program offers academic support such as editing papers and reviewing assignments. Do not hesitate to ask whether you need help with tutoring or need the motivation to get started on an assignment.
Monthly A-List Draw
Students who receive an A-grade will have their names entered into a draw to win great prizes. Students must inform First Peoples@Seneca staff and provide the project or assignment that received an A-grade for a chance to win.
Note: Students who demonstrate hard work and dedication throughout the semester may also be entered into the draw through a nomination process.
Seneca Indigenous Council
Newnham campus is home to the Seneca Indigenous Council (S.I.C). S.I.C provides outreach to students across Seneca’s six campuses. Contact First Peoples@Seneca to connect with S.I.C.
About the Seneca Indigenous Council:
- Comprised of elected First Nation, Metis and Inuit students that work collaboratively with/for Seneca students with the ancestries listed above.
- Takes on a leadership role and are actively involved in student life on campus.
- Promotes cultural events and activities.
- Offers peer to peer advisement.
- Liaise with mainstream clubs and associations while actively participating in student-centered events.
The events and activities held by the S.I.C. are posted on the First Peoples@Seneca Facebook page.
Events
Art Exhibitions/Permanent Displays
- Art Exhibits reflecting Canada’s Indigenous Traditional & Contemporary Art & Crafts
- Permanent Traditional and Contemporary Indigenous Art Display at room E1401 of the Newnham Campus
Award Ceremonies
- Award Ceremonies for Seneca College and the Indigenous Community
- Year End Banquet: Indigenous Graduates Awards
Ceremonies, Feasts and Annnual Events
- Tasewung Feast - Honouring the Ancestors & loved ones in October
- Gimaa Giizhik – An Honouring of Leadership Feast
- 3 Welcome Feasts for students for each term
- December student holiday gathering /dinner
- Feasting of the feathers and helpers ceremony
- Monthly full moon ceremonies
- Year End Banquet
- Orientation at King, Markham, Newnham and Seneca@York Campus
Community Discussions / Town Halls
- Annual Indigenous student consultation gathering
- Bell, Let's Talk
- Orange Shirt Day
- Water blessing, King Campus
- MMIW awareness events on and off campus
- Various employer presentations, banks, government and Indigenous agencies
Craft Workshops
Examples: Various workshops hosted to teach and celebrate Indigenous Art styles eg. bark & quill, acrylic on canvas, leather work, beading and others.
Cultural Teachings and Field Trips
- Teaching Cultural historic sites
- Open Doors Toronto-Historic Buildings
- Various Indigenous Art Tours
- Smudging Ceremony Teaching
- Medicine Wheel Teaching
- Student groups for special projects
- Annual Ice Fishing Inst. Invitational
- December Holiday Dinner event
Drumming & Opening Ceremonies
- Opening prayer and Land Acknowledgements for annual events
- Remembrance Day Ceremony
- National Indigenous Day (June 21st)
- Year End Banquet
Former Speakers
- Candy Palmater,
Indigenous comedian, broadcaster and host of the Candy Show - Dr. Brock Pitawanakwat, Indigenous Languages
- Dr. Niigaanwewidam Sinclair, Professor
- Krystal Abotossaway,
TD Bank Group
Movies/Theatre/Dance Presentations
- "Indian Horse" by Robert Wagamese
- “A Soldiers Tale” by Michael Grey Eyes
- Film screening such as Empire of Dirt, a TIFF NFB film by Jennifer Podemski
Participating in Social Media
- First Peoples at Seneca Facebook page
- First Peoples at Seneca Instagram
- Black board updates on Indigenous Student Achievements i.e. “Seneca Spotlight” promote award winners
Pow Wows in Toronto
- Na-Me-Res Annual Traditional Pow Wow
- Native Child & Family Services Annual Pow Wow
- Toronto Council Fire Annual Pow Wow
- York University All Nations Pow Wow & Gathering
just to name a few
Smudging on Our Campus
Smudging is available at the First Peoples@Seneca office.
Other Activities
Throughout the year, a series of cultural events are planned at various Seneca campuses. Students are welcome to explore and participate in these events. Students can look forward to dancing and drumming exhibitions as well as Indigenous film nights and craft workshops.
- Healthy Eating Program
- MMIW Red Dress Campaign
- Community garden to Medicine Garden strawberries picked and frozen for ceremonies
Contact Us
Indigenous Counsellor
First Peoples@Seneca Co-ordinator
Location & Hours
Room E1401, Newnham Campus
1750 Finch Ave East
Toronto, Canada
Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
We offer extended office hours during the fall and winter terms.
Note: Our staff have a “visiting campus” schedule. Please email Karen White for details and an updated schedule.