Student AffairsWelcome Indigenous Students!
We're so happy you're here. We have a wealth of supports available to you, with the flexibility of connecting virtually or in-person. Learn more about these here!
Indigenous Advising
Shé:kon sewakwé:kon, Jessica yonkyats Parks tewakhsennà sere. Wakathahyón:ni. Kanyen’kehá:ka niwakohwentyò:ten. Kenhté:ke nitewaké:nonh. Onkwehon:we advisor wako:tens tsi 4D.
Hi everyone, my name is Jessica Parks. I am Wolf clan, Mohawk nation, and live in Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory. I am the Indigenous Advisor at 4D!
I support Indigenous students with academics, financial aid, housing, free tutoring services, career counselling, advising, personal skill development (e.g. study skills, goal setting, time management, etc.) and more. I can also be your connection to all the resources and supports available across campus. My goal is to facilitate the well-being and success of Indigenous students at Queen’s by supporting them in living a healthy, balanced life: academically, emotionally, spiritually, and physically. As the Indigenous Advisor, I coordinate:
- The Supporting Aboriginal Graduate Enhancement (SAGE) program
- Gather Together programs and lifeskills workshops
- Our Indigenous Peer Mentoring Program
- Ohsahè:ta Program
- Tutoring
- Hiring and supervision of our Student Leader positions!
To contact Jessica please email her at jessica.parks@queensu.ca
Cultural Counselling
The Cultural Counsellor role at Four Directions provides individual and group counselling and therapy based on a wholistic, Indigenous framework. They also facilitate wellness-centered cultural programming and are a registered mental health professional.
We are currently working on recruiting a new counsellor to our team. In the interim, to receive counselling services, please email Four Directions for referral!
Elder Support
Betty Carr-Braint is a Mohawk wolf clan member of Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory. She is a mother and a Tota.
Betty Carr-Braint has her Masters of Social Work, Indigenous Based from Wilfrid Laurier University. She is a certified Grief Recovery Specialist through the Grief Recovery Institute. She obtained her Indigenous Addictions Services Certificate from Nechi Institute. She worked in her community for Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte for twenty-six years, in various roles, including as the Assistant Manager, Traditional Practitioner, and Community Wellness Worker at Red Cedars Shelter, and as the Program Manager of the Enyonkwa’nikonhriyohake’ (Good Minds) Program.
At Four Directions Indigenous Student Centre at Queen’s University Betty is the Elder-In-Residence and previously at Trent University in the role of Cultural Counsellor at First Peoples House of Learning.
Elder Betty supports students with cultural teachings, ceremonies, cultural support, works alongside the Firekeepers offering cooking over the fire; and supports other programs as requested.
To contact Betty please email her at bfcb@queensu.ca