Métis Change Advocate Named 2024 Trent Ashley Fellow Visiting Scholar

Bridget Larocque, a change advocate from the Northwest Territories, is bringing expertise in Indigenous knowledge to Trent University as the school’s 2024 Ashley Fellow as a visiting scholar, announced on Thrusday morning.

The Ashley Fellow is a visiting scholar hosted each year by one of Trent University’s Colleges. The fellowship is funded by a bequest from the late Professor C.A. Ashley, long-time friend of Trent University and an enthusiastic proponent of the role that informal contacts of college life can play in the academic pursuits of the University. Photo courtesy of Trent University.

Larocque has a distinct worldview from her Arctic upbringing, Métis lifeways and lived experiences in Western Education systems according to a press release.

“Traill is honoured to be the host college for this year’s Ashley Fellow,” says Dr. Michael Eamon, Trent principal of Catharine Parr Traill College. “Bridget Larocque is the embodiment of the ideals on which the fellowship was founded upon, bringing a wealth of lived experience and her unique northern perspective to Indigenous relations.”

Larocque promotes both her Indigenous worldview and holistic philosophy when addressing circumpolar issues in various roles, such as the network co-lead and chair of the Northern Advisory Board of the North American and Arctic Defence and Security Network (NAADSN). Her career also includes working as a policy advisor and researcher with the Arctic Athabaskan Council (ACC), executive director of Gwich’in Council International (GCI) and managing her consultant business, Weaving Wisdoms as stated by Trent.

A strong supporter of Larocque’s application was Dr. Whitney Lackenbauer, Canada Research Chair in the Study of the Canadian North and professor in the School for the Study of Canada. Professor Lackenbauer’s recommendation highlights her tireless advocacy for young leaders and her holistic worldview that combines traditional knowledge with contemporary research methods, a combination of skills and experience that align well with the values of the fellowship.

During her residency from Feb. 4 to 18, Larocque will carry out Indigenous knowledge transferring through a North @ Trent lecture at Traill College on socio-economic challenges faced by Métis women and a roundtable on gender and Arctic security with the NAADSN. She will also be involved in workshops with students at Symons Campus and Traill College, and participate in the Elders’ Gathering at the First Peoples House of Learning before capping off her residency with a traditional College dinner with students, faculty and community members. 

“I am incredibly blessed with knowledge transfer responsibility and nurturing gift,” said Larocque. “This upcoming fellowship provides a wonderful opportunity to enlighten and nurture young scholars about my homeland, lived experiences, and lifeways.” 

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Trent Professor Earns National Teaching Award

Trent University professor David Newhouse and his work advancing Indigenous Studies has been named the recipient of the Lee Lorch Award – the highest honour presented by the Council of the Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT), announced on Monday.

Professor David Newhouse was one of Canada’s most outstanding university educators and winner of one of ten 3M Teaching Fellowships in May of 2022. Photo courtesy of Trent University.

Newhouse is the founding director of the Chanie Wenjack School for Indigenous Studies at Trent.

“We congratulate Professor David Newhouse on winning the Lee Lorch Award,” said Dr. Michael Khan, Trent provost and vice-president academic. “His excellence as a teacher and as an educational leader has led to transformative change within educational institutions, creating space for Indigenous peoples, cultures, knowledge and histories.”

The Lee Lorch Award recognizes an academic whose teaching, research and service have contributed noticeably to the lives of their students, institution, field of study, and community. Prof. Newhouse will be presented with the award at the Spring CAUT Council.

Newhouse has been a professor, researcher and administrator for over 30 years. He served as the chair of the Department of Indigenous Studies at Trent starting in 1994 and was appointed the founding director of the Chanie Wenjack School for Indigenous Studies in 2017. He helped launch Canada's first Indigenous Studies Ph.D. program, establishing the First Peoples House of Learning, securing more than $12 million in research funding and developing Trent’s Indigenous course requirement, ensuring all undergraduate students complete at least one course with an Indigenous focus.

“I do a little every day and things add up over time, so I was surprised to be awarded the prize,” said Newhouse. “It's nice to be recognized for my work with faculty, staff, and students in bringing Indigenous Knowledge to Trent University. The award is not just about me, but about the climate of support we've created for Indigenous peoples and their histories.” 

Prof. Newhouse holds several provincial and national leadership positions, co-chairing the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council’s Indigenous Advisory Circle and acting as science officer for the Canadian Institutes of Health Research's Peer Review Committee in Aboriginal Peoples' Health.

He is also served as chair of CAUT’s Aboriginal Post-Secondary Working Group, before being elected to the Executive Committee as the Representative at Large, Aboriginal in 2018 – a position he holds to this day. Newhouse is also the founding editor of the CANDO Journal of Aboriginal Economic Development, the first peer-reviewed academic journal devoted to the subject and was the principal investigator for the National Centre for Collaboration in Indigenous Education (NCCIE).

Recognized for his committed efforts to enhance students' educational experiences (Indigenous and non-Indigenous alike) over more than two decades, Prof. Newhouse was awarded Trent University’s Award for Educational Leadership and Innovation in 2016. He was also recognized for teaching and educational leadership, receiving a 3M National Teaching Fellowship in 2022. 

He is on a sabbatical working to convert a 10-year project into an academic text. His research is focused on modern Indigenous society and understanding the dynamics shaping Indigenous communities today. He uses literature to encourage critical thinking, reflective practice, and a deeper understanding by employing Indigenous teaching methods similar to elders' storytelling techniques that encourage interpretation over direct answers. 

His research was the genesis for the Urban Aboriginal Knowledge Network (UAKN) that Newhouse has co-chaired since its inception in 2007. The UAKN is a research network of urban Indigenous peoples engaging in community-driven research to contribute to a better quality of life for urban Indigenous communities. Through the UAKN, he has helped shine a light on how urban Indigenous peoples see cities as home. 

“For more than 30 years, David has been an outstanding teacher, researcher, and leader at Trent and across the country,” said one of the award nominators. “He lives the qualities of the Seven Grandfathers Teachings, and in his commitment to these teachings, he has been a mentor and champion for many people. These are people who might otherwise have been overlooked or passed by and people who were not aware of their own talents and gifts. In that space, David provides people the opportunity to embrace their own responsibilities. Perhaps that is David’s most significant contribution to the classroom and academia.” 

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Hometown PTBO: Sports Hall of Fame Inductee Paul Wilson On His Tenure With Trent University and City Council

This week on Hometown PTBO, Pete Dalliday talks with Peterborough & District Sports Hall of Fame inductee Paul Wilson about his effect on Trent University and its athletics program, his squash career and his tenure as a member of City Council.

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Trent University’s Newest College to be Named Gidigaa Migizi to Honour Professor Doug Williams

To honour and celebrate the memory of the late Gidigaa Migizi (Doug Williams), Trent University is naming its sixth college will be named Gidigaa Migizi College.

Photo courtesy of Trent University.

The Gidigaa Migizi College is being built on the east bank of the Symons Campus in Peterborough. The building will include as many as 700 new beds for first-year students and classrooms, faculty offices and student spaces. The University expects it to open in the fall of 2028. The new college crest, scarf and colours will be unveiled next year.

“This naming is a testament to Trent’s ongoing commitment to recognizing and celebrating Indigenous culture and heritage,” said Marilyn Burns, vice president of Trent communications and enrolment. “Gidigaa Migizi, a respected elder and a pillar in the Michi Saagiig Anishnaabeg and Trent communities, has left a lasting legacy that will continue to inspire and educate our students for generations to come. Gidigaa Migizi College will stand as a beacon of knowledge, diversity, and respect, embodying the spirit of inclusivity and learning that is at the heart of Trent University.”

The professor, elder, and community leader was known for his dedication to Trent students and for protecting Anishnaabeg's treaty rights.

The decision to select an Anishnaabe name for the new college was a recommendation of the University’s Champlain Report to honour the treaty and traditional territory on which Trent University sits, according to a press release. Meaning ‘spotted eagle’ in English, the name Gidigaa Migizi College was recommended by the University’s Elders and Traditional Knowledge Keepers Council and approved by Trent’s Board of Governors.

“Gidigaa Migizi was a giant both at Trent and in the Anishnaabeg nation. He was a champion of knowledge, of learning, of students and of our community,” said Anne Taylor, Curve Lake First Nation Elders Council member. “In our culture, eagles are held in high esteem and symbolize honour, respect, strength, courage, and wisdom. These are all characteristics we want Trent students to embody.”

Migizi was one of the first graduates of Trent University’s Native Studies (now Indigenous Studies) program. After graduating, he remained involved with Trent, helping shape academic programs, administrative policies, and cultural practices and advancing education about Indigenous peoples.

He was co-director of the Indigenous Studies Ph.D. program and a professor at the Chanie Wenjack School for Indigenous Studies. Migizi served on the University’s Indigenous Education Committee and the Elders Council. Before joining Trent as a student and then as a faculty member, Gidigaa Migizi was a bricklayer who helped build Champlain College at the University.

Migizi was an active negotiator for the legal recognition of treaty rights. His greatest accomplishment in this arena was the advocacy work he undertook in the precedent-setting case R v. Taylor and Williams, working through the court system to bring legal recognition of pre-confederation treaty rights through the interpretation of Treaty 20, 1818. As a result of this landmark case, he defended the right to hunt and fish for signatories to the Williams Treaties as stated by Trent.

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Hometown PTBO: Trent Excalibur Men's Lacrosse Defending Their Championship At Home At the Baggataway Cup From Nov. 3 - 5

This week on Hometown PTBO, Pete Dalliday talks to Mark Farthing, Trent Excalibur Men's Lacrosse and a few players about defending their title at the Baggataway Cup running from Nov. 3 - 5.

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Trent Excalibur Men's Lacrosse Begin Title Defense As They Host Baggataway Cup Beginning Friday

The 2023 Canadian University Field Lacrosse Association (CUFLA) Baggataway Cup runs through the defending-champion Trent Excalibur Men’s lacrosse team they are defending their national championship title as the host team at Justin Chiu Stadium at Trent University beginning Friday to Sunday.

This year marks the third time Trent has hosted the event since the team’s inception into CUFLA in 2007. The Baggataway Cup was first hosted at Trent in 2012.  Photo courtesy of Trent University.

“We are thrilled to welcome student-athletes, fans and alumni for the second year in a row, to the 2023 Baggataway Cup Championship,” said Nathan McFadden, Trent Athletics director. “The weekend will be an opportunity to witness the spirit of competition as the best teams in the country vie for the coveted Baggataway Cup at Trent’s Justin Chiu Stadium.”

Last season was the school’s first men’s lacrosse Baggataway Cup Championship after an undefeated season. This year, the team finished tied with Carleton University for first place in the East Division with an 8-2 record but dropped to second due to tie-breakers.

“We've had a remarkable season here at Justin Chiu Stadium,” said Mark Farthing, head coach. “Having the opportunity to compete for the national championship is a testament to the team’s dedication and we are excited to pursue the cup again in front of the most passionate fanbase in CUFLA.” 

The first quarterfinal game of the Baggataway Cup is on Friday at 4:30 p.m. The second quarter-final game will begin at 7:30 p.m. while semi-finals will begin on Saturday against the winner of the first quarter-final at 1:30 p.m.

The second semi-final game starts at 4:30 p.m.  The Baggataway Cup final will take place on Sunday at 2 p.m. immediately followed by an awards presentation.

The family-friendly event has feature food trucks and a concession stand (no alcohol will be served) and Baggataway Cup apparel for sale. Donia’s Donair food truck will be on site all weekend and BeaverTails will be available on Sunday from 12 p.m. – 4 p.m. 

Day passes for the quarterfinal or semifinal games are $10 with tickets for Sunday’s gold medal game $15. Championship tournament passes are $30. Tickets and passes will be available for purchase at the gate and in person at the Trent Athletics Centre next week. Trent students, children under 12 and youth who wear their Trent Excalibur Summer Camp shirts can attend for free.  

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Trent Excalibur Women's Lacrosse Earn Bronze at Ontario University Athletics Patterson Cup Championships

The Trent Excalibur women’s lacrosse team left Kingston as bronze medalists after a dominating 15-4 win over the Toronto Varsity Blues at the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) Patterson Cup Championships at Queen’s University over the weekend.

The women’s lacrosse team have won silver and two gold consecutive medals in the past three seasons. Photo courtesy of Trent University.

Trent faced off against the Toronto Varsity Blues in their opening contest, defeating them 16-10. Natalie Fournier led the Excalibur with five goals. 

The Excalibur continued their hot start with a 17-3 rout over the Brock Badgers to move to a 2-0 record. Rookie Tyler McDonald had a whopping six goals for Trent.

Trent’s bid for the championship fell short as they fell to Queen’s Gaels in the semi-final game, 13-5. The loss sent the Excalibur to the bronze medal game and eventual win.

McDonald was named Rookie of the Year during the bronze medal ceremony, scoring seven goals for the Excalibur. Goalie Kieran Gerow was named OUA Most Valuable Defensive Player. Gerow and Shaughnessy were named OUA All-Star for Trent.

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Trent Ranked #1 Ontario Undergraduate University For 13 Straight Years

Trent University takes top honours, ranked number one as Ontario’s number one undergraduate university in the 2024 Maclean’s University Rankings.

Photo courtesy of Trent university.

“Trent’s enduring streak as Ontario's top undergraduate university reflects our ongoing commitment to academic excellence, innovation, and delivering a transformative experience for all students,” said Dr. Leo Groarke, president and vice-chancellor. “These rankings are the latest in a series of news highlights and developments that continue to showcase Trent as a renowned teaching and research university in Canada, as well as globally.”

2024 Maclean's University Rankings Highlights: Primarily Undergraduate Category

• #1 undergraduate university in Ontario 13 years in a row

• #1 in Ontario for highest quality

• #1 in Ontario for faculty awards

• #2 in Ontario for most innovative

• #2 in Ontario for developing leaders of tomorrow

• #2 in Ontario for student services

• Top 20 in all of Canada ranking for Trent’s Education program – the only undergraduate university program on the list

The rankings compare 50 universities from across Canada. Trent continued to rank among the top undergraduate institutions in Ontario in several key categories, including number one in Ontario for highest overall quality and faculty awards and number two in Ontario for being the most innovative and developing the future leaders of tomorrow. Trent also ranked number two in Ontario for student services.

The Trent School of Education received special recognition as the only primarily undergraduate institution named among the top 20 education programs in Canada across all categories.

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Nathan McFadden Named New Director of Trent University Athletics & Recreation

Trent University has appointed Nathan McFadden as the director of Athletics and Recreation.

Photo courtesy of Trent University.

McFadden has overr 25 years of experience in professional and high-performance sports operations, leadership and administration according to a press release.

“We are thrilled to welcome Nathan to Trent University and the Excalibur family. His substantial background in the sports industry, paired with his innovative leadership style, aligns well with Trent's commitment to excellence in athletics and recreation,” said Tariq Al-idrissi, vice-president, finance and administration. “As we look to the future, we are confident that Nathan's leadership will elevate our programs, enhance student experiences, and continue to build upon our strong tradition of athletic achievement."

McFadden will lead Trent's Athletics & Recreation department, overseeing the Excalibur varsity program and a wide range of sports and recreational activities that enhance student experience and promote health and wellness on campus and in the community.

McFadden's career includes numerous achievements, such as 12 national championships. Prior to joining Trent, he was the director of athletics and recreation at Fanshawe College for a decade where he built the Falcons into a national brand, leading them to 11 national championships, 67 national appearances and over 90 per cent of the College’s teams ranking nationally. While president of the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA), he created and chaired the OCAA’s EDI Committee, commissioned the OCAA’s Racial Equity Project, implemented a mandatory sexual violence prevention course for all student-athletes, mandatory Safe Sport training for all coaches and administrators, and an OCAA parental leave policy.

McFadden has worked in professional hockey with the Toronto Maple Leafs, the American Hockey League (AHL) also spent time working with the University of New Brunswick (UNB).

“It is truly an honour to join Trent University as the director of athletics and recreation,” said McFadden. “I am deeply inspired by Trent's commitment to fostering both athletic excellence and a holistic student experience. I look forward to collaborating with our talented student-athletes, dedicated coaches and the entire Trent community to elevate our athletics programs and offer a wide range of recreational opportunities. Together, we will continue to build a culture of inclusivity, achievement, and pride in Trent's sports programs.”

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Trent University Honours Faculty In First-Ever Celebration of Excellence in Humanities and Social Sciences Awards

Trent University hosted its first-ever Celebration of Excellence in Humanities and Social Sciences awards ceremony by bringing together department chairs and distinguished donors to celebrate exceptional faculty and students.  

Award winners from the inaugural Humanities and Social Sciences Award Ceremony gather together on the Symons Campus. Photo courtesy of Trent University.

“The Humanities and Social Sciences are the heart of any university, leading the way in challenging the way we think, especially in challenging times, by inspiring students and alumni to think critically and creatively about how we can better understand and improve the world around us," said Dr. Mark Skinner, Trent dean of Humanities and Social Sciences. “This awards ceremony symbolizes not only a celebration of our students' remarkable achievements but also the enduring culture of academic excellence that thrives within Trent’s Humanities and Social Sciences departments. We are honoured to recognize the dedication of our students and to showcase the profound impact of our outstanding faculty.” 

A full list of the awards and recipients follows: 

• Alexander Nielsen (Lady Eaton College), Anthropology Faculty Prize — Awarded to a student with the highest overall standing in the introductory course in Anthropology from the previous year, provided they continue as an Anthropology or Archaeology major and earn the top mark in any of our first-year Anthropology courses. 

• Isla Gole ‘18 (Catharine Parr Traill College), Andrew Wernick Essay Prize — Awarded to a Cultural Studies major or joint-major for the best essay of a critical or theoretical nature related to the subject areas of the Cultural Studies program, submitted to a juried competition held by the department. 

• Samantha Paolucci, Department of English Literature Scholarship — Awarded annually to the highest achieving student entering the fourth quarter of the Honours program in English Literature. 

• Mady Rodrigues-Raby (Lady Eaton College), W.L. Morton Essay Prize in History — Named after the distinguished Canadian historian, an early member of the Trent History Department, and the first principal of Champlain College, this prize is awarded to the third-year student writing the best essay. 

• Sasha Jones ‘19 (Peter Gzowski College), Alan Wilson Prize — Named in honour of the founder of the Trent History Department and the Canadian Studies Program, this prize is awarded to the Honours student achieving the highest record in the fourth year. 

• Avery Shortland (Peter Gzowski College), International Development Studies (IDST) Fundraising Trust Award — Awarded annually to the student with the highest standing in the first year of IDST. 

• Lucas Skolseg (Champlain College), The Mary's Fund Scholarship — Awarded annually to an outstanding student entering the final year of the Honours program in Philosophy. Established in honour of Mary Margaret (Stewart) Beattie and Mary Marjorie (Murphy) Beattie. 

• Lindsey Russell ’19 (Champlain College), Outstanding Graduating Sociology Student Award — Awarded annually to a top graduating student at each campus. Sponsored by the Canadian Sociological Association.  

• Jack Carey (Peter Gzowski College), Carolyn Sarah Thomson Scholarship — Awarded annually in recognition of the Canadian Studies student with the highest average entering their second year at Trent. 

• Jasmine Boisvert ‘19 (Catharine Parr Traill College), Swiss Embassy Award/Prix de l'ambassade de Suisse au Canada — Awarded to the graduating student with the highest overall average in recognition of credits acquired in the study of the French language. 

• Alex Bruneau (Lady Eaton College), George S. Henry — Awarded annually to the student that achieves the highest combined grade average in the two introductory courses, POST 1011H and POST 1002H. 

• Carly Walker (Lady Eaton College), ROMA Humanities and Social Sciences Award — Established by the Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA), this award is granted annually to an exceptional student enrolled in a Bachelor of Arts program in the Humanities and Social Sciences. 

• Sophie Medeiros (Lady Eaton College), ROMA Humanities and Social Sciences Award — Established by the Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA), this award is granted annually to an exceptional student enrolled in a Bachelor of Arts program in the Humanities and Social Sciences. 

• Dean Howley ’06 (Peter Gzowski College), School of Business, Decanal Award for Teaching Excellence — Awarded to exceptional faculty member who has made a profound impact on student success through teaching and mentorship.  

• Dr. Antonio Cazorla-Sánchez, Trent History Department — Recognized for recent election as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada. 

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