Indigenous Role Model Event: A conversation with Dr. Jules Arita Koostachin (Indigenous community members only)
- Date
- February 06, 2025
- Time
- 12:00 PM EST - 2:00 PM EST
- Location
- POD-250, Podium building (350 Victoria Street)
- Open To
- Indigenous students, faculty and staff
- Contact
- Sloan Miller, sloan.miller@torontomu.ca
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This is a closed circle for Indigenous students, faculty and staff at TMU. If you do not identify as an Indigenous Person (who's ancestry originates on Turtle Island), we invite you to join us at session #2 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. which is open to the entire TMU community.
What to expect
The Indigenous Role Model Event by Gdoo-maawnjidimi Mompii Indigenous Student Services offers the TMU community a chance to connect with and learn from an Indigenous leader. The event consists of two sessions: the first is a closed circle for Indigenous students, faculty and staff, while the second is open to all TMU community members.
Indigenous community members will have the opportunity to hear Dr. Jules Arita Koostachin’s story, gain insights into her experiences and discover how she exemplifies TMU's values of excellence, EDI, mutual respect, shared success, wellbeing and access.
A light meal and refreshments will be provided.
About Dr. Jules Arita Koostachin
Dr. Koostachin (Attawapiskat First Nation) is a member of the Directors Guild of Canada and an award-winning filmmaker, mother, writer, performance artist and academic whose storytelling is deeply influenced by her ancestral ties to her InNiNiNeWak (Swampy Cree) family, culture and community.
With her background in community work, themes surrounding social justice emerge in her films, alongside bravery, healing, connection and humour. Dr. Koostachin honours her Cree-speaking grandparents who raised her and her mother, a residential school Survivor/warrior. With her creative eye, keen mind and strong heart, Dr. Koostachin’s accomplishments include raising four sons while pursuing academics and artistry.
Dr. Koostachin completed her master’s in documentary media at Toronto Metropolitan University (then Ryerson) in 2010, where she received early recognition with an Award of Distinction and an Academic Gold Medal for her thesis documentary film, Remembering Inninimowin. She then completed her Ph.D. in Indigenous documentary and protocols and processes through the Institute of Gender, Race, Sexuality and Social Justice program at the University of British Columbia.
Broken Angel, Dr. Koostachin’s debut film, was released in 2022. In 2023, the National Film Board of Canada released her documentary about intergenerational resilience, healing and hope, WaaPaKe (Tomorrow). Dr. Koostachin’s second feature film, Angela’s Shadow, began screening in late 2024 in Canada and the U.S.
Dr. Koostachin is also a recipient of the TMU Alumni Achievement Award (2023) and has extensive knowledge gained from her work in the Indigenous community in several capacities. These experiences continue to feed her advocacy and her art. Learn more about Dr. Koostachin (external link) .
This event is hosted by Gdoo-maawnjidimi Mompii Indigenous Student Services
This event is presented by Gdoo-maawnjidimi Mompii Indigenous Student Services in the Indigenous Initiatives unit of the Office of the Vice-President, Equity and Community Inclusion (OVPECI).
This event is wheelchair accessible and live captioning will be provided
The university is committed to the accessibility and inclusion of persons with disabilities. If you require any additional accessibility accommodations to ensure your full participation, let us know in the registration form or email Sloan Miller, Outreach and Recruitment Officer, at sloan.miller@torontomu.ca.
Questions?
If you have any questions, please email Sloan Miller, Outreach and Recruitment Officer, GMISS at sloan.miller@torontomu.ca.
Explore works by Dr. Jules Arita Koostachin at TMU Libraries
TMU Libraries offers the following resources by Dr. Jules Arita Koostachia. Dive into powerful stories and insightful research with these resources:
- WaaPaKe : Tomorrow (external link) (streaming video)
- Jingle Dress (external link) (DVD)
- Remembering Inninimowin (external link) (DVD)
- Unearthing Secrets, Gathering Truths (external link) (print book)
- Mothers of Invention: Film, Media, and Caregiving Labor (external link) (ebook chapter)
- Remembering Vancouver's Disappeared Women: Settler Colonialism and the Difficulty of Inheritance (external link) (journal article)
Visit TMU Libraries online or in person to get started.
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