OII Staff Listing

Christy R. Bressette (She/Her) 

Vice-Provost & Associate Vice-President  

Christy R. Bressette is Western’s inaugural Vice-Provost & Associate Vice-President (Indigenous Initiatives). An Anishinabek leader, she has advanced Indigenous education outcomes nationally and with local Nations in the areas of policy, curriculum, and governance.  A Western alumna and PhD graduate, she has developed and led innovative education initiatives bridging cultures to promote inclusive, equitable, and high-quality education for all learners.

Prominent focus areas: Advancing Indigenous Student Success & Wellbeing, Institutional Transformation & Reconciliation, Partnership Development & Community Engagement
Prominent reasons why people would contact me: Strategic Guidance on Indigenous Initiatives, Partnership & Relationship Development, Support for Indigenous Student Experience & Programming

Paula Cornelius-Hedgepeth

Director, Indigenous Engagement

Telephone: 519-661-2111 ext. 83240
Email: phedgepe@uwo.ca

Sheku, I am Haudenosaunee from the Oneida Nation of the Thames, Wolf Clan. My work focuses on advancing Indigenous led initiatives, strengthening community relationships, and ensuring culturally grounded academic supports. I enjoy Powwow dancing and family time.

Portfolio: Wampum Learning Lodge, Indigenous Student Centre, Indigenous Engagement
Contact me about: Indigenous Policies and Procedures, community engagement, or high level Indigenous student needs.

Aamir Aman

E-Learning Specialist

Email: aaman3@uwo.ca

Aamir is an instructional designer with a passion for pushing eLearning to its limits. He brings a wealth of experience in learning design, technology integration, intercultural education and inclusive learning.

Portfolio: eLearning; Online Education; Instructional Design 
Contact me about: Access to Four Seasons of Reconciliation and Indigenous Learning Bundles 

Kara Archibald  

Head & Heart Program Coordinator 

Email: karchib5@uwo.ca

Waciye! I am part of Moose Cree First Nation, although raised in Southern Ontario. I am the Coordinator for the Head and Heart Indigenous Research Fellowship Program. I support Indigenous students in research-based learning, creating opportunities to learn from Indigenous perspectives and implement Indigenous research methodologies. I enjoying reading in my spare time.

Portfolio: Head & Heart Indigenous Research Fellowship Program; Opportunities for H&H Fellows
Contact me about: Head and Heart Programming & Opportunities

Mike Cywink

Community Engagement and Program Coordinator

Telephone: 519-661-2111 ext: 80231
Email: mcywink@uwo.ca

Boozhoo, I am new to my role and am excited to join the team here at Western. I grew up in a small community near Manitoulin Island and have been working with Indigenous youth and community my entire career. I love travelling, hanging with my dog, watching live music, going to Detroit Red Wing games, golf and creating art.

Portfolio: Assist in advancing Indigenous strategic direction; Facilitate the development and implementation of various projects; Help advance reconciliation efforts across campus. 

Contact me about: Indigenous community engagement; Wampum Learning Lodge programming; Western’s Indigenous Postsecondary Education Council (IPEC)

Melinda Moradipour (she/her)

Administrative Coordinator 

Telephone: 519-661-2111 ext. 82867
Email: mmoradip@uwo.ca

Melinda holds a Bachelor of Arts from Western University with an honours specialization in Political Science and a minor in Indigenous Studies. After obtaining her paralegal license in 2011, she spent a decade working in the legal field. She joined Western’s Office of Indigenous Initiatives (OII) in 2021, supporting OII, the Indigenous Student Centre, and Wampum Learning Lodge, and is now working towards completing a Master of Professional Education in Education Leadership.

Portfolio: HR supports; Finances and budgets; Supporting the VP/AVP Indigenous Initiatives
Contact me about: Honoraria and Indigenous vendor payments; Connecting with the VP/AVP Indigenous Initiatives; Connecting with the Indigenous Faculty Advisory Council

Lauren September Poeta (she/her)

Indigenous Communications Coordinator

Telephone: 519-661-2111 ext. 85230
Email: lpoeta@uwo.ca

Aanii! I am Anishinaabe (Odawa) from Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory. I support Indigenous communications and event/programming initiatives across campus, helping share stories, build awareness, and strengthen community engagement. My work focuses on amplifying Indigenous voices, coordinating key initiatives, and supporting culturally grounded programs within the Office of Indigenous Initiatives. In my spare time, I enjoy practicing traditional art to stay grounded.

Portfolio: Strategic writing; promotion/social media; programming at the Wampum Learning Lodge
Contact me about: Indigenous communications; Indigenous event promotion

Douglas Tulett

Graphic Designer

Telephone: 226-980-8764
Email: dtulett3@uwo.ca

Hello, I was born here in London, ON but grew up out east in Nova Scotia. I’m the Graphic Designer for the Office of Indigenous Initiatives here at Western University. I assist with visual communication and branding items in both digital and physical media formats. In my spare time my hobbies revolve around photography, drawling, and painting with a strong focus on typography and modern futurism.

Portfolio: Branding; Print and Digital Production; Visual Communications Design
Contact me about: Logos and branding graphics for both print and web platforms