2026 Indigenous Summer Scholars
Meet the brilliant undergraduates in the 2026 Indigenous Summer Scholars Program (ISSP) cohort. Mentored by UWinnipeg faculty mentors, the ISSP scholars are getting their first steps on some groundbreaking research happening at UWinnipeg. Beyond their research projects, the scholars participate in professional skill-building workshops and deepen their connection to Indigenous ways of knowing through cultural teachings, ceremonies, and regular guidance from Elders and the Indigenous student mentor.
Research project: Securitization, Surveillance, Algorithmic Harm, and Belonging
Research Mentors: Professor Dawnis Kennedy and Dr. Bronwyn Dobchuk-Land
My name is Abby Alexander and I am a proud member of the Red River Métis Nation. I am in the process of completing a Bachelor of Arts in Indigenous Studies, with minors in Anthropology and Criminal Justice. I’ve completed the ISSP previously, in 2024 on a separate project and plan to continue to expand my research experience and community involvement through this year’s program. I’m passionate about curating skills that are interdisciplinary to broaden my learning and make connections. This practice is especially important when applying Indigenous knowledge throughout my academic journey and beyond. I’m honoured and grateful to be apart of Professor Kennedy and Dr. Dobchuk-Land’s research as well as this years ISSP.
Research Project: Ishkodens Northern Ontario Anishinaabemowin Dictionary
Research Mentor: Prof. Aandeg Muldrew
Nenaa'ikiizhikok indigo. Pizhew ndodem. Mikinak Wajiwing zhigo Onigaming onjibawag ndinawemaganag. My name is Nenaa'ikiizhikok but I also go by Kiizhikok. I am Anishinaabe from Turtle Mountain and Onigaming. I recently started in the University of Winnipeg in the Ojibwemowin Immersion Program. In my future career I hope to work on Anishinaabemowin language revitalization. The ISSP will help me connect this goal to real world experience through working on Ishkodens Northern Ontario Anishinaabemowin Dictionary. I look forward to using this experience with the ISSP to gain real world experience in building language learning resources and doing linguistic research. Miigwech.
Research Project: Machine learning and processing of planetary remote sensing data
Research Mentor: Dr. Ed Cloutis
Hello, my name is Kate, and my spirit name is White Feather Woman. I am a proud third-year Métis student born and raised in Treaty 1 Territory. I am in my final year of a 4 year combined degree in Computer Science and Geography, with the goal of working at this intersection.
Through the ISSP program I will be working under the supervision of Dr. Ed Cloutis in the C-TAPE lab, helping to create interfaces to help analyze and view planetary remote sensing data. I hope to use my technical skills to help further the research in this field and gain valuable research experience in the process.
I hope that my participation in the program with allow me to better support my home community by creating accessible tools for future students, and that it will open the door to mentorship opportunities for other Indigenous students looking to pursue STEM education.
Research Project: Indigenous-led Responses to the Crisis of Overrepresentation in Prairie Prisons
Research Mentors: Dr. Bronwyn Dobchuk-Land and Professor Dawnis Kennedy
Hello! My name is Leiah Gibson, I am a First Nations woman born and raised in Selkirk, Manitoba with roots in Peguis First Nation. I am double majoring in criminal justice and psychology, and will be entering the criminal justice honours program in the upcoming year.
The Indigenous Summer Scholars Program is allowing me to work alongside Professors Dobchuk-Land and Kennedy on research related to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission calls to action regarding the overrepresentation of Indigenous Peoples in Manitoba prisons. This opportunity supports my educational goals by providing valuable research experience that will contribute to my honours thesis focusing on targeting the overrepresentation of Indigenous Peoples in the criminal justice system. This program will also allow me to further reconnect with my community and prepare me for advanced education as I intend to pursue law.
Through my research I hope to contribute to meaningful solutions addressing the systemic disadvantages Indigenous Peoples face and break barriers for present and future generations.
Research Project: Ishkodens Dictionary Project
Research Mentor: Professor Aandeg Ningewance
Aaniin! Jessie ndizhinkaaz, wiisaakodewikwe dago anishinaabekwe niin. Gaa-gwekwekijiwang nindoonji.
My name is Juscenta (Jessie) Haligowski. Born and raised in Winnipeg, I am Métis and Anishinaabe on my maternal side. I am a band member of Ebb & Flow First Nation.
As I will be entering the Cultural Studies MA program this fall, the ISSP will truly help me build foundational skills to conduct research at the graduate level while also allowing me to strengthen ties to my own culture.
Working on the Ishkodens dictionary this summer will be one of the first steps in my journey towards both becoming fluent in the language and in being a part of efforts to keep it alive. After my MA, I plan to pursue my PhD and become a university professor. My goal is to conduct research that gives back to our communities, and that includes passing on the gift of our language.
Research Project: Investigating the mechanism of action of a Drosophila mating plug gene
Research Mentor: Dr. Alberto Civetta
My name is Hope Human and I am a proud member of the Red River Métis Nation. This is my second year as an ISSP scholar and my third time as an NSERC USRA recipient, working with Dr. Alberto Civetta to investigate the functions of Drosophila melanogaster (fruit fly) seminal fluid protein genes. In my second year of this program, I am certain that the connections formed with students and mentors will allow me to continue growing my connection to my own Indigenous heritage. The opportunity to participate in cultural activities, connect with other Indigenous scholars, and continue my project is one that will surely benefit my prospective career as a Physician Assistant. Through the cultural and technical knowledge gained in the ISSP program, I hope to serve as an informed healthcare provider for all patients, understanding the importance of Indigenous values and traditions within our healthcare system.
Research Project: Synthesizing of Novel Molecules using Nitrenium-Based Ligands and N Heterocyclic Arynes
Research Mentor: Dr. Roman Belli
My name is Wayne Major. I come from a background of Oji/Cree (or Anishinini) and Cree. As a dedicated biochemistry student, I am driven by a strong interest in medicine and therapeutic sciences. The ISSP allows me to gain hands-on experience in synthesizing novel chemical molecules, building a strong foundation in experimental methodologies to advance my academic career. My goal is to apply my foundational knowledge of biochemistry and molecular synthesis directly to pharmacology and healthcare solutions.
Research Project: Role of N-myristoyltransferase in Cancer
Research Mentor: Dr. Anuraag Shrivastav
My name is Tia Plawicki, and I am a Red River Métis student at the University of Winnipeg. I was born and raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba. My involvement in ISSP contributes both to my academic and career goals as I continue to learn more about biology and the foundations of research. ISSP has also become a great opportunity for me to foster connections outside of class and build relationships with other Indigenous students across campus. Through this program, I hope to learn more about my culture and research so that I can better assist those in the future.
Research Project: Understanding the critical academic factors of reading and math skills for children
Research Mentors: Drs. Amy Desroches and Stephanie Bugden
My name is Cassidy Slobogian, and I am a member of Peguis First Nation. My Ojibwe ancestry comes from my maternal side through my grandmother’s family. I am grateful to be part of ISSP because it provides me with the opportunity to receive training in research tasks that will help me prepare for graduate school. This summer, I will be working within two research labs to collect behavioural and brain imaging data from children. This research data will be assessing their language and numeracy skills. I will be receiving mentorship and creating professional connections which will help me achieve my future academic goals. I believe that this research will help me give back to Indigenous communities as I hope to better understand and reduce the barriers to learning for children in the education system.
Research Project: Legal Text Classification: Evaluating Architectures and Interpretability
Research Mentor: Dr. Sheela Ramanna
I am currently a Métis graduate of an Applied Computer Science Bachelor's degree in the Information Systems stream; my family originally comes from Portage la Prairie. The Indigenous Summer Scholars Program will be a crucial step in helping support my future educational and career goals by providing me with mentorship and practical research experience, giving me opportunities to grow professionally and academically. I hope to contribute to the research project by adding my indigenous perspective, and I hope my participation can help improve indigenous representation in STEM.