Introducing the York U Indigenous Alumni Network - Division of Advancement

We are thrilled to introduce the members of the Indigenous Alumni Network (YUIAN)! The network provides diverse engagement opportunities for Indigenous alumni to be alumni ambassadors and to support fellow alumni and new and returning students across York’s Indigenous community.

Please join us in welcoming the network’s members: Krystal Abotossaway (BHRM ’13), Sadie Hamilton (BA ’19), Lawrence Ignace (BA ’17), Megis Oskalns (BSC ’15, BSC ’20), and Frank Stones (BA ’08).

Thank you to two of the network’s original co-chairs, Janine Manning (BA ’15), and Dave Smith (BSW ’16, MSW ’17), for their leadership, alongside Krystal Abotossaway who remains with the group.

Krystal Abotossaway

BHRM ’13, Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies
Senior Manager, Diversity and Inclusion, Indigenous Peoples Area of Focus, TD Bank

Krystal Abotossaway (BHRM ’13) is from Aundeck Omni-Kaning First Nations and Chippewas of Rama First Nations. She is an urban Ojibwe Anishinaabe Kwe. Krystal is an expert speaker and leader on Indigenous engagement. As Senior Manager of Diversity and Inclusion at TD Bank, Krystal has a passion and leadership for advancing more agile diversity engagement that will enable more Indigenous youth to achieve their aspirations and dreams. Krystal holds ongoing leadership roles on multiple Boards in the GTA.

Sadie Hamilton

BA ’19, Faculty of Health
Administrative Assistant, Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres

Sadie Hamilton (BA’ 19) is a mixed Mohawk graduate of York University with a degree in Psychology & Indigenous Studies. As a student, Sadie worked in the Centre for Indigenous Student Services (CISS) and in community and social services, supporting unhoused Indigenous men in Toronto. She is currently an Administrative Assistant at the Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres where she supports various programs serving urban Indigenous communities. Sadie plans to return to York University to pursue a Master of Social Work.

Lawrence Ignace

BA ’17, Faculty of Environmental and Urban Change

PhD candidate in Environmental Studies at the University of Victoria

Lawrence Ignace (BA ’17) is a PhD student in Environmental Studies at University of Victoria. As an Anishinaabe from Lac Des Mille Lac First Nation within Treaty 3 Northwestern Ontario, his passion lies at the intersection of science, ecology, and Indigenous knowledge. He holds a Master’s in Public Administration with an emphasis on Natural Resources Policy from the University of Alaska Southeast. As a lifelong learner, he is returning to school from an extensive career that has allowed him to engage in Indigenous rights, natural resource management and environmental issues at the international, national, provincial/territorial and community levels across Canada. He is currently on the Board and the Research Management Committee of the Canadian Mountain Network. Plus, a member on the Reference Group for the appropriate review of Indigenous research established by the Tri- Agency federal research funding councils. Lawrence’s research focus is on developing an Indigenous-led cumulative effects and management framework.

Megis Oskalns

BSc ’15, Faculty of Science; BSc ’20, Faculty of Health
Trainee and Leader, LaMarsh Center for Child and Youth Research

Megis Oskalns (BSC ’15, BSC ’20) is a second-year Ojibway graduate student in the Clinical-Developmental program in the Faculty of Health. She is currently involved as a trainee and leader at the LaMarsh Center for Child and Youth Research where her research involves resilience, technology, and mental health for Indigenous communities. Megis is also involved with the ISPARX project that teaches CBT skills to Inuit Youth via a videogame-based intervention method. Her research interests include the impact of social media on Indigenous communities during COVID-19 and intergenerational trauma among families. Megis strives to bring an Indigenous perspective to mental health research and treatment programs. Megis enjoys abstract painting.

Frank Stones

BA ’08, Faculty of Health
Police Officer, Hamilton Police

Frank Stones (BA ’08) is the youngest of five children, with an Ojibwe mother from Little Current and a father from Barbados. He was the first individual in the entire generation of his family to graduate from high school and to also receive a post-secondary education. After graduating from York on a basketball scholarship, Frank become a police officer for York Region and the Hamilton Police. He also works in real estate for the Hamilton-Burlington Board.

For more information about the YUIAN’s activities, contact Yasmine Mensah, Alumni Engagement Officer at mensahy@yorku.ca or 437-239-3662.