Larissa Engels’ time at Brock has taken her on a transformative journey to reclaim her Indigenous identity and connect with her community.

Engels graduated with a Gidayaamin Certificate on Thursday, June 13 during Brock’s 115th Convocation. Offered through Brock’s Faculty of Education, the Gidayaamin Certificate is earned by completing a bridge program designed to further post-secondary education for Indigenous people.

Engels enrolled in the certificate program several years ago, but she and other students were unable to complete it for a variety of reasons.

Brock’s Vice-Provost, Indigenous Engagement Robyn Bourgeois reached out to learn about the barriers these students faced and encouraged them to return to the program with an offer of support.

Engels is Mohawk from Six Nations of the Grand River but did not know at it meant to be Indigenous in her youth as her assimilation led to an upbringing in a religious household until she was nine.

“Gidayaamin was a process of discovery through meeting with Elders and knowledge keepers, learning truths about residential schools, and picking up the pieces our identities and cultural heritage to celebrate who we are,” she said.

Engels began drumming at the Fort Erie Native Friendship Centre and is now part of Strong Water Singers, an award-winning international hand drum group and artist ambassadors for the Gordon Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund.

Bourgeois said that returning to education years later takes courage and Engels did it brilliantly.

“Larissa is a role model for others and an example of why you should never give up on your dreams,” she said. “I am so pleased that we at Brock were able to play a supporting role.”

Inspired by how her Brock journey helped reconnect her with her Indigenous heritage, Engels recently delivered a presentation to Bourgeois, Dean of Education Mary-Louise Vanderlee and Assistant Professor of Indigenous Educational Studies Jeannie Martin.

Brock graduate Larissa Engels (left) presented Brock’s Vice-Provost, Indigenous Engagement Robyn Bourgeois with a dreamcatcher art installation she created as a way of honouring her academic and personal journey.

The presentation included singing, drumming and the dedication of a six-foot dreamcatcher created by Engels, a symbolic token of her journey and appreciation that will hang in Brock’s Welch Hall Atrium once completed.

“I have found my voice as an Indigenous woman,” Engels said.

The dreamcatcher, which will hang in Welch Hall Atrium, is made of Dogwood and Willow saplings and has 13 points, a number that has great significance in Indigenous history and teachings and is personally significant for Engels. The centre of the dreamcatcher is a drum frame, a nod to the connection she shared with her grandfather through music.

Jeannie Martin, who worked closely with Engels, said Engels’ story demonstrates Brock’s active commitment to equity.

“We’re not just talking about reconciliation and decolonization; we are invested in taking action,” Martin said. “Larissa’s work speaks to the importance of programs like this, and how they support Indigenous individuals and communities on their healing journey.”

Engels’ dreamcatcher is a creative representation of the path she has taken since starting the program in 2017. In the years since, she has faced challenging circumstances including the death of her grandfather and battling with her mental health.

“It’s not just me struggling with my Indigenous identity, there are so many others too. My dreamcatcher represents the journey we are all on together as a community and, for me, coming from full circle from where I started,” Engels said.

“This experience at Brock totally changed the trajectory of my life, my career, my education and, most importantly, how I will raise my kids — to be proud of who they are.”