LE,NONET
Supporting Indigenous student success at UVic
LE,NONET (pronounced "le-nong-it") is a SENĆOŦEN word that literally means "paddling a canoe in a storm and making it through to the other side." In a more figurative sense, LE,NONET can also be taken to mean "success after enduring many hardships". (INAF thanks the late Earl Claxton, SENĆOŦEN knowledge keeper, and Elder John Elliott of the Tsartlip First Nation for this information.)
LE,NONET provides a suite of programs designed to welcome and support Indigenous students (status, non-status, Inuit, Métis) throughout their educational journeys at the University of Victoria.
Academic Program
LE,NONET offers a series of courses in conjunction with the Indigenous Studies Minor program. Interested students can count these courses toward the requirements for an IS minor.
Preparation Seminar (Indigenous Studies 310, 1.5 units)
This seminar is a pre-requisite for the Research Apprenticeship and Community Internship courses.
This weekly seminar will provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to work in Indigenous communities, with Indigenous organizations, or within campus-based academic research teams through a Research Apprenticeship (320) or Community Internship (321). It includes a basic overview of historical and contemporary issues facing Indigenous peoples, and an introduction to western and Indigenous research methodologies.
Beginning with the 2013-2014 academic year, students will be required to have credit in a 200-level Indigenous Studies course (or equivalent transfer credit) as a pre-requisite for this course.
If you are interested in registering for the seminar, please contact lenonet@uvic.ca.
Research Apprenticeship (Indigenous Studies 320, 1.5 units)
Research Apprentices complete 120 hours of research under the supervision of a UVic faculty member. Students must complete the IS 310 Preparation Seminar pre-requisite with a B+ (77%) or higher in order to register for this course.Community internships (Indigenous Studies 321, 1.5 units)
Community Interns complete 120 hours of work experience carried out in an Indigenous community or organization of the student's choice. Students must complete the IS 310 Preparation Seminar pre-requisite with a B+ (77%) or higher in order to register for this course.
Student Support Programs
LE,NONET offers a number of student support programs.
Bursaries
LE,NONET bursaries are awarded annually to Indigenous students who demonstrate financial need. Any Indigenous full-time undergraduate student who is in good academic standing (GPA of 2.0 or higher) at the University of Victoria is eligible to apply for a bursary of up to $3000 annually. Applications are available to students in August/September and April/May. For more information, please contact lenonet@uvic.ca.
Mentorship Programs
LE,NONET provides mentorship opportunities for prospective, new, and returning students.
We currently offer two programs:
The UVic Campus Cousins Program is a peer mentorship program for Indigenous students. It is designed to strengthen connections between Indigenous students on campus and to create opportunities that will help them to succeed.
Campus Cousins are upper-level, returning Indigenous students who are trained to provide guidance and assistance to new/first-year Indigenous students on campus in the following ways:
- Planning and facilitating skill building workshops and campus connection events that offer opportunity for social networking and community building
- Being available for students to drop in, ask questions and make connections in the First Peoples House throughout the week
- Being available and accessible on Facebook and through email for students to ask questions and seek guidance throughout the year
The UVic Campus Connections Program aims to create connections between Indigenous students at UVic and prospective students in local high schools. The program offers Indigenous high school students an opportunity to explore their educational goals and to make connections with UVic students who will share their personal education journeys.
The program provides a series of opportunities that can be customized to meet the needs of each school. These include (but are not limited to):
- A UVic recruitment information presentation and classroom visit from UVic students with a focus on sharing their personal education experiences
- A visit to UVic campus hosted by UVic students, which can include lunch, campus tour and a career exploration activity
The Team
LE,NONET Academic Lead and Research Apprenticeship Coordinator
Dr. Rob Hancock (Metis)
First Peoples House 143
rola@uvic.ca Tel: 250-472-4231 Fax: 250-472-4952
LE,NONET Community Internship Coordinator
Dawn Smith (Nuu-chah-nulth and Coast Salish)
First Peoples House 143
dmsmith@uvic.ca Tel: TBA Fax: 250-472-4952
LE,NONET Mentorship & Bursary Coordinator
Sally Hunter (Maliseet)
First Peoples House 141
lenonet@uvic.ca Tel: 250-472-5982 Fax: 250-472-4952
Background: The Research Project
The LE,NONET Project, funded by the Canadian Millennium Foundation, supported a team of researchers and community representitives in the creation of a set of new programs and support structures for Indigenous undergraduate students that were pilot tested at UVic over a four year period (2005-2009).
The Final Report, and an Executive Summary, are available here:
Contact Information
General Inquiries
Please contact the LE,NONET Mentorship & Bursary Coordinator via email at lenonet@uvic.ca.
Mailing address
LE,NONET
University of Victoria
PO Box 1700 STN CSC
Victoria BC V8W 2Y2
Courier address
LE,NONETFirst Peoples House, Room 140
3800 Finnerty Road (Ring Road)
Victoria BC V8P 5C2