Student Resources, Indigenous Studies Office

Student Counsellor: The Student Counsellor is available to provide ongoing assistance and support on a professional and experiential basis. This includes  academic, practical and culturally appropriate advising to incoming and current students.

Elder-in-Residence Program: Every year, ISP has the privilege of hosting an Elder in Residence. This person comes to ISP weekly and does crafts with students, provides advice, or lends a supportive ear if you need it.   

Visiting Elder: Every academic term, ISP also has the opportunity to bring in an Elder to share cultural knowledge with the community. Refreshments are provided during these monthly workshops and all are welcome.

Writing Skills Workshops: ISP offers Writing Skills workshops twice annually, both at Six Nations Polytechnic and McMaster. If you need assistance with  research or writing a paper, we are here to help! 

Student Library: Hundreds of titles in the areas of Indigenous Knowledge, research and language area are available in the library. We also offer DVDs, language CDs, etc for student borrowing.  

Student Lounge: The ISP Office has a student space available for studying, meetings or just taking a break. The room is equipped with a flat screen TV, DVD player, computers, printer and internet.  

Research Librarian: A librarian from one of the libraries here on campus, offers ISP students research-related assistance for two hours every week.

Soup Days! Every week, the ISP office provides a delicious free soup for students. This coincides with the McMaster First Nations Students Association's weekly meetings.

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Tips for being successful at Mac!
Vanessa Watts, Indigenous Counsellor, ISP

1. Make a home away from home

Come by the Indigenous Studies Office and meet the staff, faculty and students involved in our programming.  There is always lots to do and something going on.  We have a weekly free hot lunch, usually soup make by our Elder-in-Residence.  Our student lounge is equipped with a flat screen television, DVD player and a comfortable seating area.  Come by anytime and discover your community here at Mac.

2. A different way of knowing and learning

Come to our weekly Elder-in-Residence program where Bertha Skye, a Cree Elder, shares food, stories and craft making with students.  She is our resident grandmother, and will make you feel at home no matter where you are from.

3. Expand your knowledge and contribute with other learners

Our courses in the Indigenous Studies Program (ISP) are some of the most unique and dynamic course offerings in the country for indigenous-focused research.   Our goal is to celebrate our ways of knowing and indigenous contributions to academia and the social world.  These classes are open to all learners at McMaster and emphasize the importance of indigenous knowledge.

4. Need help with a paper?  Visit the Research Librarian!

Every week ISP hosts an in-house research librarian from Mills Library for two hours to assist students with help on research papers, projects, etc.  If you are struggling with an essay or need help editing, come to the office for academic and writing support as well as access to our excellent student library.

5. Meet new people with similar interests and backgrounds

The McMaster First Nations Students Association (MFNSA) holds their club meetings in our student lounge and is always looking for interested students to volunteer and help plan events.  As well, many ISP students are in the office for quiet study space, socializing in the lounge, accessing the library, or use of our kitchen.  There is always someone around to meet!

6. Questions about your degree?  Come and see the Student Counsellor!

Often times planning your coursework and academic goals can be daunting as a new student.  As the counsellor, I am happy to sit down with you and talk about options available to you at Mac and how we can arrange your schedule to best suit your needs.  

7. Take advantage of the University events made available to you!

Being successful at university also includes learning and experiencing outside of the classroom.  McMaster's many clubs, student groups and programs offer a wide-range of activities for students.  Get involved as much as you can and enjoy everything Mac has to offer.

8. Feeling overwhelmed?

Sometimes coming to university can be very overwhelming for students both academically and socially.  There are many resources here on campus available to you.  You are not alone and there is no shame in asking for help.  Contact the Student Counsellor or come into the office if you are in need of assistance or a listening ear.