Welcome to October! Edition 01 | First Peoples@Seneca | Seneca Students

The First Peoples@Seneca team is excited to announce our newsletter, Around the Wheel News! There are so many amazing things that happen in the Indigenous community, as well as right here in Odeyto, that we felt it was about time to spread the news.

Around the Wheel News reflects our intention to share community updates, stories and cultural teachings related to the four quadrants of the Medicine Wheel: Spiritual, Emotional, Physical and Mental.

Whether you are a student, faculty member or employee, we believe it’s important to share what’s happening across our community and strengthen our connections with one another.

  LEARNING  

Spiritual Storytelling from Elder Blu
The first full moon of autumn was on Tuesday October 7, 2025.  During this moon phase, the leaves are falling from the trees. It is a time of reflection and introspection.

Life imitates trees. Our spirit is the tree trunk, standing strong, barring the weight of the branches and leaves. All year, we nurture the branches and leaves by drinking Mother Earth's water. However, when autumn comes, we are given the opportunity to shed that weight by letting go of the leaves and even some branches, the ones that no longer serve the tree or add to its vibrancy.

Much like the people we meet on our life journey, not all are meant to stay and keep us vibrant. Some are meant to bring lessons, good times, and some are here for a season or two, adding to the value of life. Some stay too long and become weight, or infections. Now is the time to decide what stays and adds to your life or to recognize what is no longer serving you and let it go.

  LEARNING  

Emotional Balance for Work and School
Why is it important to regulate your emotions? 
When confronted with distressing or challenging situations, people with a strong ability to self-regulate can maintain a measured outlook and respond with thoughtfulness and maturity. People who can properly regulate their emotions tend to have healthier behaviors and better overall health. On the other hand, people who are unable to regulate their emotions experience high levels of stress and anxiety that can lead to poor physical and mental health.

What are some tips and tricks that folks could do to regulate their emotions? 
Taking a N.A.P is one trick to practicing mindfulness for emotional regulation. NAP stands for Notice, Accept, Proceed. When a person finds themselves feeling triggered or emotionally disregulated, taking a moment to N.A.P is pivotal for lowering stress and taking control of our emotions. By noticing what is bothering us, we give attention and validation to the matter. Afterwards we can then accept the matter, and because we cannot change the outcome in an instant, we then acknowledge and accept our feelings. We can now proceed in a more regulated way, because we gave ourselves time to better respond to the trigger.  

In Indigenous culture, cedar plays a role in helping us regulate our emotions, specifically around stress and anxiety. Visit the First Peoples@Seneca in room E1401 to make a tie before your next test.  

  LEARNING  

• Check out the article from the First Peoples team on What to know before attending your first powwoww

  STUDENT EVENTS   

Supporting EDI and Cultural Intelligence in Today's Workplace 
Oct. 28, 2025, 6-7:30 p.m. 
Register with Seneca Works

  CAREER OPPPORTUNITIES   

First Nations, Inuit, or Métis Students - Summer 2026 Co-op and Internship Opportunities
CIBC

Indigenous Relations Specialist
Infrastructure Ontario

Young Parents Council 
ENAGB

  LEARNING  

10th Anniversary of the TRC Final Reports
This article from Gord Downie and Chanie Wenjack marks the ten year anniversary since the release of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action. The article points out the advancements that have been made on the path of ReconciliACTION and gives helpful tips on how individuals can contribute to ReconciliACTION.

Though Gord was not an Indigenous person, he was a tremendous ally to Indigenous people. His legacy illustrates that non-Indigenous people have a responsibility to support and contribute to Reconciliation in Canada.

Work for Turtle Island
"Work for Turtle Island" is the debut album by Indigenous musician and scholar NLWH. The album explores their Indigenous identity through a genre-defying blend of alternative, folk, funk, and progressive rock. With personal lyrics and a unique sound, their album serves as a lesson in Indigenous history, a powerful tribute to their heritage, and a celebration of culture.