Student reading a textbook.

Education

Our goal

Ongomiizwin - Education's goal is to increase the number of First Nations, Métis and Inuit health professionals in Manitoba.

  • Our mission

    Our mission is to support and enhance the potential for success of First Nations, Métis and Inuit students in the health education faculties and programs at UM’s Rady Faculty of Health Sciences:

    • Community and Global Health
    • Dentistry
    • Dental Hygiene
    • Medicine
    • Rehabilitation Sciences
    • Nursing
    • Pharmacy
  • Ongomiizwin - Education seeks to meet this goal through the following objectives:

    • To support students through providing culturally relevant academic and social resources and programming
    • To ensure opportunities for professional development and networking among students, faculty members and the First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities
    • To create a culturally safe environment that will encourage individuals from Manitoba’s First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities to pursue health careers.

Educational support and training

Medicine Garden (Mashkiki Gitigaan)

The Medicine Garden (Mashkiki Gitigaan) is a sacred space dedicated to Indigenous learning, ceremony and connection to the land. It is a place where community members can gather to learn from Elders, Knowledge Keepers and the Ongomiizwin Cultural Team, and to honour the teachings, medicines and traditions that guide our work. Throughout the year, the garden hosts teaching circles, cultural learning sessions and other educational activities led by Elders. As a cultural and ceremonial space, some types of requests may not be appropriate or may require additional guidance from the Cultural Team.

The Medicine Garden is located on the Bannatyne Campus, outside the Basic Medical Sciences Building, 745 Bannatyne Avenue. The space was blessed in a Traditional Ceremony on June 20, 2014 and continues to be cared for in a good way.

Booking requests

To support respectful use of the space, groups wishing to hold an activity in the garden are asked to complete the booking request form. All submissions will be reviewed by the Cultural Team to ensure the purpose of the gathering aligns with the educational and cultural intent of the garden.

Booking request form

Student support

Membership at Ongomiizwin – Education is open to all First Nations (Status, Non-Status), Métis and Inuit students currently registered in a health professional program (dental hygiene, dentistry, medical rehabilitation, medicine, nursing and pharmacy) at the University of Manitoba. Membership gives you access to the programs, facilities and resources at the centre.

Working with Elders and Knowledge Keepers

Although cultural protocols may vary across Indigenous nations, they are recognized for their importance in keeping ceremonies sacred and preserving how knowledge is passed on. Indigenous Knowledge Keepers and the Ongomiizwin Institute of Health and Healing have worked together to create a list of recommendations meant to be a starting point for anyone who is new to engaging in cultural practices.

Meet our team

Contact us

Ongomiizwin – Education
Indigenous Institute of Health and Healing, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences
S206 Medical Services Building
750 Bannatyne Avenue
Winnipeg, Manitoba R3E 0W2

204-789-3511
204-480-1354