What Support Does Lakehead University Offer International and Indigenous Students?

Lakehead University provides dedicated support for international students through its International department, English Language Centre, and study abroad options, and for Indigenous students through programs, student services centres, and initiatives listed under its Indigenous section. These resources are accessible from the main navigation on lakeheadu.ca, and the university also offers recruitment and outreach contacts for prospective students. The information below reflects what is published on the site; specific eligibility rules, deadlines, and costs should be confirmed with the relevant office.

International Student Support

Lakehead's International section is organized around the student journey, so you can go directly to the stage that matches your situation:

• Future Students — for those still deciding whether to apply.
• Becoming a Lakehead Student — for applicants preparing their submission.
• Applying to Lakehead — application guidance.
• Future International Students — information aimed specifically at prospective international applicants.
• Newly Accepted International Students — next steps after receiving an offer.
• Current International Students — ongoing support while enrolled.
• English Language Centre — language preparation for applicants who need to meet English proficiency requirements.
• Global Engagement & Study Abroad — opportunities for Lakehead students to study elsewhere.
• Agents & Partners — a channel for recruitment partners representing the university.
• Student Voices and Publications — first-hand accounts and downloadable materials.

How to use these pages

1. Start at the International menu on lakeheadu.ca.
2. If you have not applied, open Future International Students to review what the university expects from applicants.
3. If you have an offer, go to Newly Accepted International Students for the steps that follow acceptance.
4. If English proficiency is a gap, check the English Language Centre page for the pathway options it describes.
5. Use Agents & Partners only if you are working through a recruitment representative; otherwise apply directly through the applicant pages.

Expected result: you should land on the page that matches your stage and find the specific instructions or contacts listed there. If a page does not answer your question, the Contact Us link in the International section is the correct next step.

Indigenous Student Support

The Indigenous section groups services and initiatives that Indigenous students and communities can use:

• Indigenous Programs — academic offerings with Indigenous content or focus.
• Indigenous Student Services Centre – Thunder Bay — a dedicated centre on the Thunder Bay campus.
• Indigenous Initiatives – Orillia — campus-specific programming in Orillia.
• Summer Indigenous Institute — a seasonal program listed on the site.
• Niijii Indigenous Mentorship — a mentorship program.
• Indigenous Self-Identification — the process for identifying as Indigenous to the university.
• Third Party Sponsorship — sponsorship arrangements for funding.
• Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirts & Enamel Pins — institutional initiatives and related items.
• Indigenous Research & Partnership Awards and Indigenous Research — research funding and activity.
• Global Indigenous Speakers Series — an event series.
• Indigenous Content Requirement — an academic requirement described on the site.

Practical starting points

• If you are considering Lakehead: review Indigenous Programs and the Indigenous Content Requirement to see how Indigenous content fits into a degree.
• If you are admitted or enrolling: use Indigenous Self-Identification if you wish to be recognized for the support that follows, and check the Indigenous Student Services Centre – Thunder Bay or Indigenous Initiatives – Orillia page depending on your campus.
• If you need funding: look at Third Party Sponsorship and the Indigenous Research & Partnership Awards where relevant to your level of study.

The site does not publish detailed eligibility criteria for every item in the summary above, so treat the linked page as the authoritative source before relying on a program or award.

Recruitment, Outreach, and Connecting with People

Prospective students from either group can use the recruitment and outreach channels listed on the site:

• Undergraduate Recruitment & Outreach — the main contact point for prospective undergraduates.
• Future Student Events, Upcoming School Visits, and Campus Tours — ways to engage before applying.
• Viewbooks and School & Educator's Resources — downloadable overviews and material for counsellors.
• Contact Us — listed in the International section for international enquiries.

A sensible sequence is: attend or register for an event or tour, download the viewbook for your level of study, then contact recruitment and outreach with any remaining questions. This gives you specific answers rather than general ones.

Quick Reference

What to Confirm Before You Rely on a Page

The site's navigation tells you where support exists, but not every detail. Before acting, confirm with the relevant office:

• Whether a specific program or service is open to your level of study (undergraduate, graduate, or professional).
• Deadlines and required documents for any application step.
• Whether an award or sponsorship has conditions you must meet.
• Which campus (Thunder Bay, Orillia, or Barrie) delivers the service you need.

Tuition, fees, and financial aid details are covered separately in the Admissions and Student Central sections; this guide does not restate them because the site's summary pages do not provide figures.