IKERAS News and Events

Events

UPEI Convocation 2025

The Faculty of Indigenous Knowledge, Education, Research, and Applied Studies congratulates our largest cohort of Indigenous Studies minor students at UPEI Convocation 2025.

"It's been such an honour to support the professional development of our future leaders especially knowing they have acquired a cultural competence in Indigenous ways of knowing, being, and doing that will position them well in their future careers and advanced studies," said David David Varis, assistant professor.

a group of Indigenous drummers
three people in front of the IKERAS tipi on UPEI's campus
two people wearing black graduation gowns holding a mace and an eagle feather
a UPEI graduate kneeling by a commemorative stone bench
four graduates wearing black graduation gowns and red medallions
a faculty member in a black gown holding an eagle feather
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IKERAS at UPEI Convocation

Graduates (Hannah Affleck, Jaiden Carragher, Ryan Gallant, Kurtis Henry, Deborah Langston, Annika Masters, Claire McNeill, and Mallory Travis) were gifted medallions made by Corinne Chappell.
 

Elder Judy Clark carrying the Eagle Feather at Convocation


During the May 14 Convocation ceremony, Elder Judy Clark acted as Eagle Feather Carrier. "It was a great honour to carry the eagle feather in the academic procession at this year's Convocation! I could feel the Ancestors and I prayed to them for the guidance and strength for our teaching with IKERAS and all who share their teachings. Hearing the bagpipes leading the walk, then hearing the Mi’kmaq Drummers—I was so honoured. The honour to walk on stage with the Eagle Feather in the Mi’kmaq Basket and seeing the Mi’kmaq Flag, I knew our Community is here. It was an amazing feeling." 

March 25, 2025: Sacred Fire and Sacred Sweat Lodge Teachings and End of Semester Feast

A special Indigenous Teachings Event was hosted by the Faculty of Indigenous Knowledge, Education, Research, and Applied Studies with support from the Mawi’omi Indigenous Student Centre, UPEI Indigenous Advisor, Indigenous Student Society, Indigenous Studies Minor Society, and UPEISU Indigenous Student Representative. 
 

a group learning from an Indigenous Elder


This event is a further opportunity to share local Mi’kmaq knowledge and worldviews. The event also serves as an opportunity to gather and celebrate the hard work of our learners, teachers and staff during this academic year. It is an event we hope may be repeated in future years as we work together to bring to life Indigenization and reconciliation education at UPEI.

Read the past event listing in the UPEI Event Calendar


There are no scheduled events.

News

photo of plaque hanging on brick wall
| Faculty of Indigenous Knowledge, Education, Research, and Applied Studies
September 30 is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

In a message of allyship, President Keefe encourages the campus community to listen, learn, and act.

IKERAS faculty
| Faculty of Indigenous Knowledge, Education, Research, and Applied Studies
UPEI offers Mi'kmaw language course to all Indigenous community members

Starting September 7, 2022, all members of the Indigenous community on Prince Edward Island will have the opportunity to learn the Mi’kmaw language at no cost.

A drum circle
| Faculty of Indigenous Knowledge, Education, Research, and Applied Studies
UPEI recognizes National Indigenous History Month and National Indigenous Peoples Day

This month, UPEI is proud to commemorate National Indigenous History Month in recognition of the rich history, heritage, resilience, and diversity of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples across Canada. Canada has officially celebrated National Indigenous History Month for the month of June since 2009.

Graduates and sisters Julia, Tiffany, Megan, and Madison Grounds
| Faculty of Indigenous Knowledge, Education, Research, and Applied Studies
UPEI alive with excitement during first in-person Convocation in two years

The excitement was palpable at the University of Prince Edward Island this past week when the Class of 2022 graduated with their undergraduate and graduate degrees.

A tipi installed in the UPEI campus
| Faculty of Indigenous Knowledge, Education, Research, and Applied Studies
New Faculty installs Indigenous tipi on Charlottetown campus; offers Indigenous Teachings course

The University of Prince Edward Island’s Charlottetown campus is now home to a temporary, cone-shaped Indigenous structure, known as a tipi, that has been erected between the Kelley Memorial Building and the W.A. Murphy Student Centre. 


Faculty of Indigenous Knowledge, Education, Research, and Applied Studies - media coverage

  • From CBC PEI Compass: "UPEI's first Indigenous Studies grads cross the stage"
     
graduates accepting degrees at UPEI Convocation2024

 

CBC PEI Island Morning’s full coverage of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (September 30, 2022)

CBC Listen Atlantic Voice regarding Lennox Island: (May 2022)

Indigenous Student Scholarships, Awards, and Funding 

For assistance with the Indigenous Student L'nui'suti Bursary, IKE 2010 application, contact ikeras@upei.ca.

Faculty of Indigenous Knowledge Education Research and Applied Studies
236 Kelley Memorial Building
902-620-5311
ikeras@upei.ca 

IKERAS PhD Student Bursary

Awarded to an Indigenous individual living on Prince Edward Island, registered as an existing, returning, or new PhD student at UPEI. Bursaries of $2,000 will be awarded to each recipient, per term.

IKERAS PhD Student Bursary information

Other external scholarships, awards, and funding:

Faculty of Indigenous Knowledge, Education, Research, and Applied Studies

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