Turtle Island

Indigenous allyship in action: Q&A with Sandra Ondracka

Sandra Ondracka in the fitness centre at the TLCSandra Ondracka is the campus recreation coordinator (KYLE ARCHIBALD/University of Windsor)

As part of the launch of the Turtle Island — Indigenous Student Services Centre's Indigenous Allyship Guide, we are asking allies across campus to reflect on their allyship journeys.

Sandra Ondracka is the Campus Recreation Coordinator.

Q: How would you describe what Indigenous allyship means to you? 

New guide supports Indigenous allyship at UWindsor

Staff and students holding flags of Indigenous nationsA new guide on Indigenous allyship is now available from Turtle Island - Indigenous Student Services Centre (PROVIDED BY F. LOMASCOLO/University of Windsor)

By Kate Hargreaves 

A new guide aims to support non-Indigenous members of the UWindsor community in building their knowledge and strengthening their allyship with Indigenous Peoples and communities. 

Developed by Sisco Consulting in collaboration with the Turtle Island — Indigenous Student Services Centre, the document provides guidance to non-Indigenous students, faculty, staff and community members as they work toward allyship. 

Turtle Island Centre adopts new name to reflect inclusive, student-focused mission

Victoria Hecnar, Turtle Island Event Planning and Communications Coordinator stands outside the newly renamed Turtle Island - Indigenous Student Services CentreVictoria Hecnar, Turtle Island Event Planning and Communications Coordinator stands outside the newly renamed Turtle Island - Indigenous Student Services Centre (JOHN-PAUL BONADONNA/University of Windsor)

By John-Paul Bonadonna

The University of Windsor’s Aboriginal Education Centre has officially been renamed Turtle Island - Indigenous Student Services Centre.

The change marks an important step in ensuring the centre’s name aligns with both its purpose and contemporary language.

“We were still using the term Aboriginal, which is very outdated, and the word Education made people think we offered courses or teaching resources,” says Victoria Hecnar, Turtle Island Event Planning and Communications Coordinator.