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Centre for Indigenous Student Services
246 York Lanes
4700 Keele Street
Toronto, ON
M3J 1P3
cissinfo@yorku.ca
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Randy Pitawanakwat
Manager, Indigenous Student Services
email: rpitawan@yorku.ca
Randy, an Anishinabe with the Anishinabek Nation, is from the Wikwemikong Unceded Indian Reserve located on Manitoulin Island. He draws on his Political Science and Native Studies background, as well as over 20 years of experience in Aboriginal student services at the post-secondary level. Randy was appointed York University’s first Aboriginal Counsellor in October 2002. Currently, as manager of Indigenous Student Services, Randy oversees University support services to the Indigenous student population and provides help, guidance, and advice to the Indigenous community at York.
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Nancy Johnson
Cultural Programs
email: nancyj9@yorku.ca
Nancy is Ojibwe from Nipissing First Nation, Ontario. She is a graduate of the Image Arts New Media Program at TMU. Nancy is happy to be part of the Centre for Indigenous Student Services as having had access to a culturally supportive environment has been integral to her academic success. She acknowledges and advocates that an educational journey should be inclusive of traditional values and teachings; which CISS strives to provide to the Indigenous community at York. She coordinates the Cultural Programs throughout the year as well she oversees the use of Skennen'kó:wa Gamig and CISS/Gamig card access program. Nancy is currently enrolled in the MEd Urban Indigenous Education Cohort at York U.
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Student Success Mentor (Work/Study)
Sophie is Haudenosaunee from Oneida Nation of the Thames. She is an undergraduate student at York University pursuing a degree in English. Sophie is passionate about serving the Indigenous community and brings that passion into her role as the Student Success Mentor for the Centre of Indigenous Student Services. She tends to the needs of current and incoming students, while also supporting staff. Her family has a history of working within Indigenous communities, whether that be on-reserve or in urban spaces. Sophie is eager to follow in the footsteps of her relatives to create a safe and welcoming environment for Indigenous students attending York University.
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