9IÖÆ×÷³§Ãâ·Ñ

That's a wrap for the 2025 edition of IMPRESS—the Indigenous Mentorship and Paid Research Experience for Summer Students, presented by Branches, 9IÖÆ×÷³§Ãâ·Ñ's Community Outreach Program at Enrolment Services!

This year's program culminated in the IMPRESS Research Day, where 24 student-interns presented their summer's work to family, friends, faculty and community members. The celebration also featured a communal lunch and a traditional hoop dancing performance.

IMPRESS is an opportunity like no other, pairing Indigenous undergraduates from 9IÖÆ×÷³§Ãâ·Ñ and beyond with professors and mentors on campus to conduct paid research. Beyond academics, IMPRESS hosts weekly workshops, field trips and cultural activities that help students connect not only with one another, but also with their roots. This summer, interns gained wilderness skills, learned to bead traditional earrings and carve soapstone, attended the Kahnawá:ke Pow Wow, explored the Gault Nature Reserve, perfected their resumes and cover letters, and—most importantly—built friendships and memories to last a lifetime.

HBHL has proudly supported IMPRESS since its inception in 2022. This program marks just the beginning of a broader commitment to uplifting Indigenous voices in academia and creating a true sense of belonging on campus.