Time for celebration: Honouring Indigenous graduates, award recipients as Convocation approaches

On the eve of Convocation season, the Indigenous Education Network (IEN) hosted a Haudenosaunee Social to honour Indigenous graduates and award recipients.

As the singing echoed, the dance line extended in and around the room. The rhythm of the beat matched with the stepping of the feet.

In the Nexus Lounge on March 27, 2025, the IEN Indigenous Student Celebration and Award Ceremony featured plenty of warm embraces and happy tears for students, faculty and staff within the OISE Indigenous community. This annual event celebrates graduates and students for their outstanding academic and extracurricular achievements and community involvement.

Organized by the IEN, the event started with a traditional welcoming and smudging ceremony from Grandmother Shirley Gillis-Kendall, the IEN’s Elder-in-residence. This was followed by words of welcome from Dr. Jennifer Brant, Associate Professor in the Department of Curriculum, Teaching and Learning and IEN faculty chair.

Faculty, staff, students and graduates had the opportunity to nominate Indigenous students and graduates for these awards of recognition.

“We're really delighted to recognize so many students,” said Dr. Brant, in her opening remarks.

Louis Busch, doctoral candidate in the Adult Education and Community Development program, and recipient of the 2024 SSHRC Talent Award, was one of several students recognized. For him, it means a tremendous amount to come together as a community.

“I think it's a great example of community coming together in gratitude to really support one another,” he said. “There's so much good work being done by Indigenous students and faculty, it’s exciting to see all the growth and relationships being built.”

Learn more about Louis Busch’s scholarship and his SSHRC Talent Award

Well-deserved accolades

Dr. Brant presented members of the Indigenous Literature Lab at OISE with awards of recognition – including students in attendance Erenna Morrison, Gayatri Thakor, Jasmine Rice, and Lois Boody (from the Indigenous Education Research Centre). The students helped organize events and initiatives for the IEN over the past academic year. Other recognized members of the Lab not in attendance included Elisha Gauthier, Meagan Hamilton, Miyo Cheechoo and Razan Samara.

One of the other recognized students was Kayla Webber, a doctoral candidate in the Department of Social Justice Education specializing in women's and gender studies. She's also a part-time faculty member in the Department of Education at University of Toronto Mississauga. Her research focuses on housing precarity, Black and Indigenous communities, models of wellness, and more.

Webber is also the founder of the Youth Legacy project, where Black, Indigenous, and Afro-Indigenous youth can imagine and create their legacies. She’s an 1834 Fellow alumnus, a Writing Fellow for the Philanthropist Journal, a CHEC-CCRL Emerging Housing Scholar, Bloom 23 Emerging Leader, past graduate student co-chair of the Indigenous Education Network, and Stakeholder for the Anti-Black-Racism Unit Partnership. Kayla was recognized as one of 2024’s 100 Accomplished Black Canadian Women.

Amara Digout, a master’s student in the Social Justice Education program, was also recognized. Amara was recognized as the recipient of the 2024-25 OISE Indigenous Scholarship for master’s programs and also received an IEN Student Recognition Award. Among her many achievements, Amara helped organize the SAGE and Indigenous Student Association Student Symposium, which created a space for Indigenous students and scholars to share knowledge, build relationships and uplift one another.

One of the graduating students that was celebrated was Dr. Ryan Neepin, doctoral graduate of the Curriculum and Pedagogy program. Ryan is currently an Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Education at Wilfrid Laurier University. He was presented his award and ceremonial blanket by IEN Administrator Lisa Maracle. Ryan and Lisa did their undergraduate degree together at York University, so it was a particularly special moment.

Lisa mentioned that it was an honour to celebrate and present this award to Ryan as he was a huge support to her throughout their undergraduate program and they continue to support each other through their journey of life. She has witnessed Ryan’s hard work and dedication he has put towards his studies and work.

Recognizing the IEN Faculty Chair

At the end of the award ceremony, the IEN presented a special recognition award to Dr. Jennifer Brant, who is the outgoing IEN faculty chair. Since early 2022, Dr. Brant has served in this role for the IEN, navigating the organization through the end of the pandemic. “She hired new, full-time employees for the IEN with the intention of having a consistent support system for Indigenous students, staff and faculty at OISE,” said Mike Berg, Coordinator of Indigenous Education Initiatives for the IEN.

Dr. Brant has taught multiple classes within CTL and has authored two books. She has also contributed to many research, teaching, and collaborative opportunities locally and globally, Berg said.

“Despite all of these ongoing responsibilities, Dr. Brant always makes time for the students she supports. You can truly see the camaraderie, positivity and supportive environments she fosters everywhere she works.”

After the award ceremony, everyone joined Franklyn McNaughton and fellow Haudenosaunee singers and dancers for an evening social.

Below is the full list of award recipients: 

OISE Indigenous Scholarship Recipient for PhD programs: Stephanie Day, doctoral candidate in the Clinical and Counselling Psychology program.

OISE Indigenous Scholarship Recipient for master’s programs: Amara Digout, master’s student in the Social Justice Education program 

IEN Student Recognition Award Recipients:

• Miyo Cheechoo, doctoral student in the Curriculum and Pedagogy program.
• Jennifer Sylvester, doctoral student in the Leadership, Higher and Adult Education program
• Jasmine Rice, doctoral student in the Language and Literacies program
• Amara Digout, master’s student in the Social Justice Education program
• Louis Busch, doctoral candidate in the Adult Education and Community Development program
• Kayla Webber, doctoral candidate in the Social Justice Education program

Graduate Award Recipients:

• Dr. Ryan Neepin, doctoral graduate of the Curriculum and Pedagogy program
• Pamela King, master’s graduate in the Adult Education and Community Development program