Indigenous mentor creates cultural connections

December 14, 2021

(photo: Johnny Hanuse playing guitar)

Indigenous students at UVic face unique challenges as they embark on conversations about colonial-settler policies and learn about residential schools in classes, sometimes for the first time. For third year political science student, Johnny Hanuse, being an Indigenous mentor was a great pathway into creating relationships with fellow students and a way to support difficult conversations.

Hanuse transferred to UVic during the COVID-19 pandemic and his experience as a student in the early months was isolating he says and he felt disconnected from professors and other students. As campus re-opened, however, Hanuse volunteered to help first and second year Indigenous students as they navigated the university system. He offered study tips, held study sessions to talk about learning experiences and the difficult content that Indigenous students can often encounter in the classroom.

“It's an emotionally challenging feeling to learn about the motives behind the policy and it's always nice to hear from someone who has gone through the program already,” says Hanuse.

During a recent homework/social/hangout/sharing culture event, Hanuse played his guitar while other students studied and prepared for finals.

“Being a mentor was my way of reaching out to fellow Indigenous students, actualizing a community with a support system, which helps them and me,” adds Hanuse.

The Faculty of Social Sciences developed the Indigenous mentorship program to provide peer-to-peer student support for incoming Indigenous students. The broader aim is to foster a welcoming sense of place for Indigenous students at UVic.