kihêw waciston, meaning “eagle’s nest” in Cree, is a home away from home for Indigenous students on campus. Here, you are surrounded by community, connected to culture and supported on your journey through university.
We share and honour Indigenous knowledge. Come for ceremony, academic advising, a quiet space to study or some warm bannock—this is a welcoming place to gather. kihêw waciston is rooted in the experiences of Indigenous students, but our doors are open to everyone.
University brings big changes—and real challenges. From figuring out funding and adjusting to life away from home to managing coursework and forging your own path, we’re here to support you every step of the way.
STUDENT ADVISING
Advice beyond academics
Our advisors are the only ones on campus not tied to a faculty or department. We provide holistic support, helping you with academics, funding and life beyond the classroom while always staying in your corner.
OUR SPACES
Home away from home
Our spaces offer room for study, rest, ceremony and connection—whether you’re smudging in the Gathering Room, sharing tea with a Knowledge Keeper or finding a quiet place to breathe.
pimâchisowin FOUNDATION PROGRAM
A foundation for success
Designed for first-year students, the pimâchisowin Foundation Program (pFP) blends academic skills with cultural grounding. Learn, connect and start on your university path with confidence.
Examine Indigenous histories, languages, land-based learning and wâhkohtowin to deepen cultural understanding. This minor strengthens your ability to bring Indigenous perspectives into research, community work and future professions.
Welcome! Hello! You can find us on the first floor of the Robbins Health Learning Centre at 11010 – 104 Avenue in Room 9-115. Enter at street level from 109 Street or from the second floor of Building 9. We look forward to seeing you.
Indigenous culture at the heart of campus
kihêw waciston and MacEwan University nurture and celebrate Indigenous culture—on campus and in the wider community—through ceremony, art, teaching and connection.
MEET OUR KNOWLEDGE KEEPERS
Campus and community events
Join us for events that honour Indigenous traditions, spark dialogue and strengthen connections on campus.
Celebrate with us
Connect with fellow students and community members who share your interests. From beading workshops and round dances to movie nights and study sessions, this student-led club is your built-in community at MacEwan.
News worth sharing
Catch the latest news, events, student highlights and stories celebrating culture and Indigenous perspectives on campus and beyond.
Frequently asked questions
Support and guidance for First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) students and visitors.
In Cree, “kihêw waciston” means eagle’s nest—a place of safety, learning and growth. Our centre provides a home base for Indigenous students to thrive in their academic journey. For more terms, see the glossary on our About page.
Absolutely! While our programs and services are specifically designed to support First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) students at MacEwan University, everyone is welcome. We encourage all students, faculty, staff and community members to learn, connect and take part in our events.
Our academic, cultural and personal support services are available for FNMI students. These include advising, mentorship, cultural programming and access to Knowledge Keepers. Non-Indigenous students are welcome to attend open events, workshops and gatherings.
You’ll find kihêw waciston in Building 9 on campus, beside the Robbins Health Learning Centre. Come in from 109 Street at street level or through the second floor of Robbins. We’re open Monday to Friday during regular university hours, and everyone is welcome to visit.
Most of our services are for current MacEwan students, but some cultural events and workshops are open to the public.
Check our events listings or contact us at 780-497-5382 or kw@macewan.ca to see what’s coming up.
Yes. Thanks to the teachings and persistence of our Knowledge Keepers, smudging is welcomed anywhere at MacEwan. As a courtesy, we ask that you let facilities know where you'll be smudging. Smudge kits are available through kihêw waciston if you need one. See MacEwan's Indigenous Ceremonial Practices Policy for more details.
FNMI students can request to meet with a Knowledge Keeper through our Indigenous Initiatives team. If you’d like to meet with a Knowledge Keeper, our Relative in Residence would be glad to help make that connection.
No. Our services are free for FNMI students. Event participation is generally free unless otherwise noted.
We host a variety of events including cultural teachings, language classes, film screenings, guest speaker talks, feasts, craft workshops and awareness events like Orange Shirt Day and National Indigenous Peoples Day.
Explore eventsYes. We connect FNMI students with tutoring, writing support and academic skills workshops. Our advisors can help you access the right resources.
If you’re a MacEwan student or community member interested in volunteering, reach out to us. We welcome helping hands at events and in community initiatives.
Contact us at 780-497-5382 or kw@macewan.ca to volunteer.
Treaty 6 Territory Land Acknowledgment
MacEwan University welcomes Indigenous peoples from across the world as our students, faculty, staff and guests. We celebrate the rich cultural heritage of these peoples and the ancestral lands on which our university sits today.
Acknowledging traditional territory is one part of recognizing and moving beyond colonization, and strengthening our relationships in a positive way. All university conferences and public events are opened with the following Treaty 6 territory land acknowledgment, presented here in syllabics, Cree and English.
ᓂᓂᓯᑕᐍᔨᐦᑌᓈᐣ ᐆᒪ ᐊᐢᑭᐩ ᑳᑖᑭᐢᑳᑕᒫᐦᐠ ᓂᑯᑤᓯᐠ ᑭᐦᒋᐊᓱᑕᒫᑐᐏᐣ ᑳᐃᑕᒥᐦᐠ ᐆᑕ ᐁᑮᐅᑕᐢᑲᓀᓯᒋᐠ ᒥᐦᒉᐟ ᐃᔨᓂᐘᐠ, ᐆᑕ ᑮᒫᐘᒋᐦᐃᑐᐘᐠ ᑭᐦᒉᔨᐦᑐᐏᐣ ᐁᑿ ᑭᐢᑌᔨᒧᐏᐣ ᓂᒥᔮᓈᓇᐠ ᐅᑖᒋᒧᐏᓂᐚᐘ, ᐅᐲᑭᐢᑵᐏᓂᐚᐘ, ᐅᓯᐦᒋᑫᐏᓂᐚᐘ ᐁᑿ ᐃᓯᐦᑖᐏᓂᐚᐤ ᐆᑭ ᑲᐦᑭᔭᐤ ᐃᔩᓂᐘᐠ
ᑳᑮ ᐃᓯᓈᑲᑌᔨᐦᑖᐦᑭᐠ ᐆᒪ ᐊᐢᑭᐩ, ᑮᐢᑕᓇᐤ ᑕᑮᑲᓇᐍᔨᐦᑕᒫᐦᐠ ᐁᑿ ᑕᒪᓈᒋᐦᑖᔮᐦᐠ ᑭᑳᐑᓇᐤ ᐊᐢᑭᐩ ᑳᓂᐢᑕᐍᔨᐦᑕᒫᐦᐠ ᐅᑕᐢᑮᐘᐦᐠ, ᐯᔭᑿᐣ ᒦᓇ ᓂᑭᐢᑌᔨᒥᓈᓇᐠ ᓂᐢᑕᒥᔨᒫᑲᓇᐠ ᐁᑿ ᒦᓇ ᐊᐚᓯᓴᐠ ᐆᑕ ᑳᑮᓇᔨᓀᒋᐠ, ᐊᓯᒋ ᐃᐢᑵᐘᐠ ᑳᐘᓂᐦᐁᒋᐠ, ᑳᒥᓴᐏᓈᒋᐦᐁᒋᐠ, ᓈᐯᐘᐠ ᐑᐢᑕᐚᐤ, ᐁᑿ ᒦᓇ ᑲᐦᑭᔭᐤ ᐊᔨᓯᔨᓂᐘᐠ ᑳᒫᒪᐏᓈᑕᐏᐦᐁᐦᐃᓱᒋᐠ ᑖᐱᑕᐤ ᐁᑭᐢᑭᓱᒥᑐᔭᐦᐠ ᑲᐦᑭᔭᐤ ᐁᑖᑯᐱᓱᔭᐦᐠ ᑭᐦᒋᐊᓱᑕᒫᑐᐏᐣ ᐁᑿ ᑿᔭᐢᐠ ᑲᓈᑲᑌᔨᒥᑐᔭᐦᐠ
ninisitawêyihtênân ôma askiy kâ-tâkiskâtamâhk, nikotwâsik kihci-asotamâtowin kâ-itamihk ôta ê-kî-otaskanêsicik mihcêt iyiniwak, ôta kî-mâwacihitowak. kihcêyihtowin êkwa kistêyimowin nimiyânânak otâcimowiniwâwa, opîkiskwêwiniwâwa, osihcikêwiniwâwa êkwa isihtâwiniwâw ôki kahkiyaw iyîniwak.
kâ-kî-isi-nâkatêyihtâhkik ôma askiy, kîstanaw ta-kî-kanawêyihtamâhk êkwa ta-manâcihtâyâhk kikâwînaw askiy. kâ-nistawêyihtamâhk otaskîwahk, pêyakwan mîna nikistêyimânânak nistamiyimâkanak êkwa mîna awâsisak ôta kâ-kî-nahinêcik, asici iskwêwak kâ-wanihêcik, kâ-misawinâcihêcik, nâpêwak wîstawâw, êkwa mîna kahkiyaw ayisiyiniwak kâ-mâmawi-nâtawihêhisocik. tâpitaw ê-kiskisomitoyahk kahkiyaw ê-tâkopisoyahk kihci-asotamâtowin êkwa kwayask ka-nâkatêyimitoyahk.
We acknowledge that the land on which we gather in Treaty Six Territory is the traditional gathering place for many Indigenous people. We honour and respect the history, languages, ceremonies and culture of the First Nations, Métis and Inuit who call this territory home.
The First Peoples’ connection to the land teaches us about our inherent responsibility to protect and respect Mother Earth. With this acknowledgement, we honour the ancestors and children who have been buried here, missing and murdered Indigenous women and men, and the process of ongoing collective healing for all human beings. We are reminded that we are all treaty people and of the responsibility we have to one another.