The new fall issue of IndigeNEWS, York’s aboriginal student community e-newsletter features a profile of Ojibway sculptor Maria Hupfield (MFA ’03) and a traditional story by Jacqui Lavalley, a master’s student in environmental studies.
This is the second issue of IndigeNEWS, published by York’s Aboriginal Student Services. Part of a 
broader campaign by York to reach out to and recruit more First Nations students from schools and communities across Ontario, the newsletter provides up-to-date information about York’s aboriginal student community. The fall issue, for instance, contains news from the Aboriginal Council at York, an introduction to the University’s aboriginal-focused programs and services, and a list of relevent upcoming events.
The NEWS in name IndigeNEWS spells out the four directions – north, east, west and south – which have symbolic meaning in many North American First Nations’ spiritual belief systems.
For the latest news about York’s aboriginal students and its aboriginal-focused programs and services, readers can subscribe to IndigeNEWS.
Other York aboriginal outreach initiatives include:
- York’s Aboriginal Student Services and coordinator Randy Pitawanakwat, provides on-campus academic, scholarship and personal counselling services to students and promotes awareness of aboriginal culture;
- The Office of Aboriginal Student Community (Room 283, HNES Bldg.) housed York’s Aboriginal Resource Centre, with an aboriginal reference library, computer station and student lounge;
- The new Race, Ethnicity & Indigeneity Program, offered by the Atkinson Faculty of Liberal & Professional Studies;
- The new Cree language, literature and culture course offered by the Faculty of Arts;
- The annual March Aboriginal Awareness Days & Traditional Pow Wow held in Vari Hall rotunda, presented by the Aboriginal Students Association at York and York Alumni.