SAGE UT (Supporting Aboriginal Graduate Enhancement, University of Toronto)

SAGE UT (Supporting Aboriginal Graduate Enhancement, University of Toronto) is a graduate student led group operating out of First Nations House – Indigenous Student Services at the University of Toronto’s St. George Campus. SAGE UT plans workshops, presentations, social outings and other events that focus on promoting the academic and personal development of Indigenous graduate students.

Engaging Opportunities and Support for Indigenous Graduate Students

  • Personalized Support: Connect with us during office hours (by inquiry) for one-on-one consultations tailored to your academic journey.
  • Orientation: Gain insights and support specific to individual programs.
  • Community-Building Social Events: Participate in engaging activities like teaching circles, maker spaces and more to foster connections and creativity.
  • Annual Graduate Student Symposium: Share your research and engage with fellow students and community members at this academic conference.
  • Writing Workshops: Enhance your academic writing skills in supportive, collaborative sessions designed to strengthen your research and communication.
  • Inspiring Speaker Series: Learn from faculty, alumni and community leaders as they share insights on academic processes, research and Indigenous/Aboriginal discourses.
  • Tri-Campus Engagement: Join events at UTM and UTSC designed to support Indigenous students and allies beyond the St. George campus.
  • Academic Retreats: Attend retreats that provide dedicated time and space for focused academic work and personal reflection.
  • Indigenous Graduate Travel Award: Apply for funding through SAGE to support travel for educational and experiential learning activities focused on Indigenous student or educational issues.

Upcoming events

SAGE Indigenous Graduate Student Orientation

September 10, 5 – 7 p.m.
First Nations House

Connect with fellow students and supportive staff and discover the range of resources available to support academic and personal growth through SAGE’s programming for the upcoming year.

Enjoy a welcome feast followed by a networking session designed to help you build meaningful connections within the community. Get information on upcoming events and resources to keep you engaged and supported throughout the academic year.

This event is open to Indigenous graduate students from Turtle Island (Métis, Inuit and First Nations), including second entry students in the faculties of law, medicine, dentistry, nursing, education and beyond.

About SAGE

SAGE nests exist across Canada at several universities, including the University of British Columbia and Simon Fraser University. SAGE was developed from the Māori and Indigenous Program (MAI) in Aotearoa, or New Zealand to some, which has been successful in increasing the number of Indigenous graduates.

SAGE UT is dedicated to the recruitment, retention and completion of First Nations (status/non-status), Inuit, Métis and other Indigenous scholars at the University of Toronto. The group achieves this by:

  • Creating safe spaces for Indigenous graduate students to share knowledge and ideas.
  • Providing peer support throughout the graduate experience.
  • Hosting events that encourage discussion on topics relevant to Indigenous research and discourse.

SAGE UT Objectives:

  • Provide safe, culturally relevant spaces for Indigenous students to share and discuss ideas, resources, challenges and experiences.
  • Connect graduate students and faculty across diverse academic programs for social and academic support.
  • Initiate learning opportunities that are valuable to Indigenous students.
  • Promote graduate academic work and achievements.
  • Facilitate guidance and networking for students, and access to appropriate supports, services and programming.
  • Remain connected to Indigenous students at all levels of education – prospective and undergraduate students as well as alumni are welcome at SAGE events.

SAGE UT consistently works with:

  • First Nations House staff
  • the Centre for Indigenous Studies
  • Programs and initiatives at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE)

Through these partnerships, SAGE UT helps organize learning opportunities and facilitates access to knowledge holders such as Elders, faculty and community members.

Connect with SAGE

Contact the SAGE UT Coordinator at sage@utoronto.ca or follow us on Instagram @sage.uoft.

Subscribe to the SAGE listserv by emailing LISTSERV@LISTSERV.UTORONTO.CA and include this message: SUBSCRIBE SAGE-L [your name]