About | AU Indigenous Student Alliance

Who We Are

A group of concerned students and alumni who wish to ensure Indigenous students at AU have a supportive, well-rounded educational experience. We work together with the values of relational accountability and consensus.

Each member has an equal voice and their skills, knowledge, lived experiences and vision to share are welcomed and honoured.

Amanda Leeman

she/her

My name is Amanda, and I am Plains Cree Métis, registered with the Métis Nation of Alberta. I work as a licensed practical nurse and study part-time, enrolled in the post-LPN Bachelor of Nursing Program. I am passionate about creating awareness of Indigenous history and current systemic issues.

My goal is to strive for change against racism and make a positive impact.

Ashley Reimer she/they

I am a Métis student living in Edmonton, nearing the completion of my BPA in Human Services. I have a background in front-line social work roles, non-profits, privacy and government, with a lifelong passion for spiritual ecology, herbal medicines and social justice, a dreamer always looking around at Mother Earth or up at the stars and sky!

My ancestors are German, Cree, Blackfoot and Iroquois, with some of my family living in Fishing Lake and Enoch. I am part of this group as I believe the commitments our institutions make hold them accountable. Supporting Indigenous students is a commitment that cannot be performative but must be met with genuine action!

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Lexis Roy she/her

Hello/Tansi! My name is Lexis Roy, and I am a 4th year undergraduate student enrolled in the BSc undergraduate program. I grew up and currently reside on one of the eight Métis Settlements in Alberta - each of which are rooted in community and culture!

My love of interests includes learning about environmental protection and conservation, community enhancement and meeting new people and seeing new places. I’m excited to meet everyone on this journey, listen to everyone’s stories, and to foster a community of Indigenous excellence.

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Molly Salter

she/they

Tansi! My name is Molly Salter, and I am a 4th year Bachelor of Arts student at Athabasca University. studying a double major in Psychology and Anthropology. I am Red River Métis and a member of the Métis Nation of Alberta. I am passionate about Indigenous student advocacy, uplifting community voices, advancing 2SLGBTQ+ inclusion, and honouring the wisdom of lived experiences as well as the connections between culture, wellbeing, and identity to create meaningful change.

I currently serve as the student member of the Canadian Archaeological Association's Indigenous Issues Committee and have previously served on the National Indigenous Advocacy Committee. I look forward to continuing to learn from and alongside the community, and to helping create spaces where all Indigenous students feel supported and connected.

Former students/alumni and allies

A diverse group of allies, former AU students and staff have joined our group, offering their ideas, resources and support to help advance a number of advocacy actions, including letter writing to the Minister of Advanced Education!

Open to new members

If you are a student with Athabasca University, alumni, or even an ally from another school, we are always open to new participation. We hope that as we graduate, new students will continue on and a large network of students, alumni and allies will support each other for years to come!

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

In early 2024, the Athabasca University Students Union (AUSU) put out an open call for new members to join the Indigenous Circle (IC). The IC was an advocacy project supported by many dedicated students and staff who wished to see better representation for Indigenous students and ways to ensure that the issues Indigenous students face were taken seriously by the students' union and the university.

A few of us answered that call and joined the IC in the summer of 2024, as previous students were graduating and moving on. Our small but dedicated group met once a month or more to discuss the needs of Indigenous students, work on advocacy, and uplift the voices of Indigenous students. In our short time together, we published blogs, podcast episodes, helped review policies and organized a speakers' event which included Elmer Ghostkeeper and Benjamin Kucher. One member was chosen as the representative to the National Indigenous Advocacy Committee (NIAC), part of the Canadian Alliance of Students Associations (CASA) and acted as our voice regarding federal and provincial issues impacting Indigenous students.

We had many plans and hopes, including organizing and supporting peer mentorship, co-study and networking sessions, land-based and cultural gatherings supported by cultural teachers and Elders, and understanding the barriers Indigenous students face when applying for school and aiming to finish their courses, so that we could advocate for more comprehensive supports.

In January of 2025, the IC was dissolved by AUSU without explanation, alongside the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) committee and a number of other groups. Since then, we have continued to meet, both to hold them accountable and to continue visioning better supports for Indigenous students! Many organizations and institutions claim to be committed to reconciliation and decolonization, yet Indigenous students still experience many issues within the educational system, including a lack of meaningful consultation.

We believe students are powerful together and act as a collective, consensus-based group, always welcoming to new members, supporters and allies!