50 Years of Indigenous Studies
50 Years of Indigenous Studies
In 2025/26, the University of Lethbridge celebrates the Department of Indigenous Studies' 50th anniversary. We will mark five decades of Indigenous education and programming, community-engagement, and scholarship and research throughout the year. Watch this page for the events happening all year and a signature event that will take place during Indigenous Awareness Week in March 2026.
A message from Iikaisskini (Low Horn) Dr. Leroy Little Bear and Dr. Hendrika Beaulieu, chair of the Department of Indigenous Studies
Oki, and welcome to the University of Lethbridge. Our University’s Blackfoot name is Iniskim, meaning Sacred Buffalo Stone. In 1975, the University established Canada's first Department of Native American Studies, now known as the Department of Indigenous Studies, in the Faculty of Arts & Science.
ULethbridge’s Indigenous Studies is one of the most sought-after programs of its kind in Canada. Here, Indigenous and non-Indigenous students have the opportunity to learn and think about Indigenous knowledges in creative, transformative and critical ways. They explore art, business, customs and language, ecology, gender studies, health, history, law, philosophy, politics and more — all from a unique Indigenous perspective.
Video filmed in 2016.
Indigenous knowledge, culture and worldviews have always been foundational to the ULethbridge fabric since we became a university. Our institution is dedicated to the pursuit of knowledge and Indigenous ways of knowing and learning and through our pedagogies. We integrate indigenous epistemologies that offer alternate representations of mutually shared realities.
Today, our campuses continue to create programs and initiatives to support Blackfoot and all Indigenous peoples. Since 1975, faculties across ULethbridge have brought Indigenous culture, traditions and perspectives into programs and the fabric of teaching and learning and research here.
We are very proud of our long history and the scope of Indigenous programs and initiatives including the Faculty of Education Niitsitapi Teacher Education Program (offered in collaboration with Red Crow Community College), the Dhillon School of Business’s Indigenous Governance and Business Management (IGBM) program, the Faculty of Arts & Science Indigenous Student Success Certificate (ISSC) and the Faculty of Fine Arts’ Indigenous Art (Art Studio) program, to name a few.
As we continue our path towards reconciliation, we recognize the power of language and the importance of incorporating Indigenous languages across campus. This is why many of our faculties have been given Blackfoot names and together, we acknowledge the duty and commitment inherent in those names that comes with it. The Faculty of Fine Arts is Piiksinaasin (Manifesting Beauty), the Faculty of Education is Iiniookaksini (Bison Wisdom) and Dhillon School of Business is Mokakit (Practice wisdom, apply your knowledge).
In March 2026, we mark Indigenous Awareness Week with special cultural events celebrating the Department's 50th anniversary, and host the A'tsimaani Blackfoot Language Conference at which we will launch the Don Frantz Archive in memory of one of the department's founding members and in honour of his life's work. The Department’s Blackfoot Language and Linguistics of Indigenous Languages is unique in Canada with its land-based language courses and Blackfoot language rematriation focus through our A’tsimaani Blackfoot Language Adult Immersion Program.
In 2026, we aren’t just celebrating the 50th anniversary of Indigenous Studies, the department, we are sharing in this milestone that marks 50 years of Indigenous programming across the institution and our to commitment to honour Blackfoot Ways of Knowing in all that we do.
At the University of Lethbridge, we bring people together, facilitate cooperation and build relationships all while celebrating the rich cultures and traditions of all Indigenous Peoples.
Our students come here to learn and go out into the world to serve.
We look forward to building on this legacy as we advance our commitment to Indigenization for years to come.
Sincerely,
Iikaisskini (Low Horn), Dr. Leroy Little Bear
(BASc (BA) ’72, DASc ’04)
Vice-Provost, Iniskim Indigenous Relations
Dr. Hendrika (Henrie) Beaulieu
Chair, Department of Indigenous Studies
These events are hosted by
Department of Indigenous Studies
Institutional Timeline Highlights
1975
- ULethbridge established Department of Native American Studies, one of the first of its kind in Canada.
- Native American Studies offers first full slate of classes beginning in the Fall semester. Dr. Leroy Little Bear (BASc (BA) '72, DASc '04) is appointed Chairman and Assistant Professor of the new program on July 1.
1990s
- Four new residence complexes are opened and named after Blackfoot tribes that were signatories to Treaty 7. The apartments are named Kainai House and Piikani House. The townhome complexes are named Siksika House and Tsuu T'ina House.
1995
- Dr. Madeleine Dion Stout (BN '82) is named the Distinguished Alumna of the Year. She is a member of the School of Nursing’s first graduating class.
1998
- Dr. Leroy Little Bear was seconded to set up the Native American program at Harvard University and was the founding director of the inter-faculty program there.
2002
- The traditional Blackfoot name, Nato’ohkotok (Medicine Rock), is given to the University by Elder Bruce Wolf Child in celebration of its 35th anniversary on January 17.
- The Iniskim Honour Song is given to the University of Lethbridge.
2003
- Alberta's first Bachelor of Management in First Nations Governance is awarded April 4.
- Dr. Leroy Little Bear (BASc (BA) '71, DASc '03) is awarded the Distinguished Alumnus Award.
2004
- Dr. Leroy Little Bear (BASc (BA) '71, DASc '03), Susan Aglukark Poirier and Thomas Dale Jackson are named Honorary Degree recipients
2006
- The Niitsitapi Teacher Education cohort celebrates its first graduates.
- Lena Heavy Shields Russell named Honorary Degree recipient.
2012
- Dr. Mike Mahon, former President and Vice-Chancellor was inducted into the Kainai Chieftainship this year.
- Pete Standing Alone named Honorary Degree recipient.
2013
- Faculty of Fine Arts launches unique BFA - Native American Art program.
- ULethbridge entrusted with an important part of Canadian history as BMO Financial group donates 37 original pastel portraits by renowned artist Nicholas de Grandmaison. His work portrayed First Nations people in Southern Alberta.
2014
- The University's of Governors and Red Crow Community College signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to encourage deeper collaboration to benefit both institutions' students, faculty, staff and community.
- TD Bank group announces $400,000 in support of strategic First Nation’s initiatives at the University of Lethbridge.
2016
- J. Wilton Littlechild named Honorary Degree recipient.
2017
- Dr. Leroy Little Bear (BASc (BA) '72, DASc '04) receives the Speaker Research Award and is also appointed Distinguished Niitsitapi Scholar.
- Distinguished Alumna of the Year is awarded to Jamie Medicine Crane (BEd '05).
2018
- The University proudly, and permanently, raises the Blackfoot Confederacy flag.
- Dr. Monique Giroux (Indigenous studies) is awarded Tier II Canada Research Chair.
- Spring convocation this year is the first time self-declared North American Indigenous students have the option of wearing their traditional regalia to Convocation in lieu of the black gown. Students were also presented with an Indigenous Stole designed and created by Charlene Bruised Head-Mountain Horse and her colleagues in the Iikaisskini Gathering Place.
2019
- Taatsiikiipoiyii Charles Weaselhead becomes the University’s 14th chancellor. This is the first time in the university’s history that a chancellor position is held by an Indigenous person.
- A unique and innovative $15 million partnership between the Blackfoot Confederacy, the Mastercard Foundation and ULethbridge launches EleV to support and enable Indigenous youth to achieve their goals and become leaders in their communities.
- Dr. Leroy Little Bear (BASc (BA) ’72, DASc ’04), Iikaisskini was named an Officer of the Order of Canada.
- The University formalizes territorial statements acknowledging its place on traditional territory.
2020
- Julian SpearChief-Morris (BA ’13) is the Young Alumnus of the Year.
- Dr. Jackson Leween Two Bears (Art) named Tier II Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Arts Research & Technology.
2021
- The Dhillon School of Business becomes the first business school in Canada to include an Indigenous course requirement as part of a student’s core business degree.
- ULethbridge observes its first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Sept. 30 this year.
2022
- Dr. Leroy Little Bear (BASc (BA) ’72, DASc ’04), Iikaisskini, is appointed Vice-Provost, Iniskim Indigenous Relations.
- The Iikaisskini (Low Horn) Gathering Centre is officially opened for Indigenous students and campus and community members.
- A record number of Indigenous students (98) cross the convocation stage at ULethbridge.
2023
- ULethbridge becomes the first post-secondary institution to sign on as a supporter of the historic Buffalo Treaty and is joined by members of Lethbridge City Council in the signing.
- ULethbridge launched the Iniskim Truth and Reconciliation Challenge to our campus community. This challenge marks an important milestone as an institution to acknowledge and address the wrongs that have been perpetuated by post-secondary institutions and our ongoing commitment to be a responsible steward upon the Blackfoot Confederacy territory.
- New programs were launched at ULethbridge at the Dhillon School of Business: two-year Indigenous Governance and Business Management Diploma.
- Dr. Esther Tailfeathers and Iitsisaanoowa (Vision Beyond), Elder Christina Fox were named Honorary Degree recipients.
2025
- The University of Lethbridge launches its 2025-2035 Strategic Plan which outlines four strategic directions like a tipi’s keystone poles and prioritizes Indigenous perspectives, knowledge, cultures, traditions and worldviews to be interwoven throughout the strategic and other institutional plans.
- The University of Lethbridge launches its new brand guided by the directions of the new Strategic Plan where the new logo incorporates Blackfoot symbols of the sun, Naato’si, and tipi, Niitoyis.
