Dokis First Nation men lauded by Nipissing University Alumni Advisory Board
By Kelly Anne Smith
NORTH BAY – Two Dokis First Nation men have been acknowledged by the Nipissing University Alumni Advisory Board for their outstanding contributions to their professions, communities, and the university.
Norm Dokis and Connor Lafortune were honoured at Nipissing University’s 2025 Alumni Award celebration at the Grande Event Centre on September 19.
Life Promotion, harm-reduction, mental health, and Indigenous education are meaningful work for the recipient of the Rising Star Alumni Award, Connor Lafortune. Lafortune combines the written word with Indigenous beadwork and sewing to recreate the stories of colonization, showcasing resilience. He is Anishinaabek, Queer, and Francophone, and uses his understanding of the world to shape his creations as a writer, poet, and musician.
“The work that I do in health and wellness for Indigenous people, beyond suicide prevention, allows for a unique take on how—well, unique to the Western world, not as much to the Indigenous world—but a unique take on how to promote life and promote wellness in communities for all people.”
Lafortune says his work in communities has been recognized.
“I’ve travelled lots in the work that I do, and being able to diversify the work that I do in quite a short succession. So, I think that speaks to my passion and motivation to do the work.”
Lafortune began his PhD in Rural and Northern Health in September at Laurentian University.
“I’m continuing my research from what I did in my Master’s. My Master’s research was on life promotion as well, but as a form of abolition practices in Indigenous communities. I’m a poet and so I took a spoken word and storytelling approach to the results and the paper itself. I’m building upon that research to create a course in life promotion in the hopes it can be offered at things like the School of Medicine and School of Ed (Education) and be able to train social workers, educators, and health professionals prior to them being in the field,” Lafortune explains. “A big part of it is being able to help and heal yourself prior to engaging with anybody else. It is also a decolonial practice, so, decentering whiteness and Western practices to go with a community approach. It’s something that we do in Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities, but mostly about recentering community and self and the land in every conversation that we’re having.”
Asked if professorship is in his future, Lafortune replied he is open to it and also content in his shkaabewis role.
“I really love the work that I do in community, being out on the land, being able to train folks in ceremony. So, I don’t know right now if that’s something I would want to give up for being in an institution, but I’m certainly open to being a lecturer.”
Norm Dokis received the Honorary Alumni Award, which is presented to an individual who is not a graduate of the university but whose actions and dedication have made a positive impact. With the Nipissing University Homecoming held earlier in the day, Norm gave a Medicine Walk starting at the Student Centre.
“I connect stories and the teachings about our medicines on the land and bring things into perspective in a holistic way.”
Employed with the Ministry of Natural Resources as a Resource Liaison Specialist for over 21 years, Norm enjoys his role of working with Indigenous communities. He focuses on historical preservation as the president of the Ganawandaagwad Institute and is the owner of Camp Petawachuan, a cultural education camp.
Anyone can join his circle. Norm often uses his quote, “Reconciliation starts with me,” as a starting point.
“I come in as a guest speaker in many classes, in many courses. To quote some of them, ‘It’s life changing’, in regard and they have a different worldview on things after.”
Norm is proud of his work helping students.
“I was up in Thunday Bay doing like a Ted Talk up there. I was speaking of how an eagle learns to fly; it never stops learning. An eagle never stops learning how to fly.”
He has been working with his wife, Tammy Cayer-Dokis, at Camp Petawachuan for 14 years.
“The focus there is on education and reintroducing people back to the land. My wife Tammy and I, she’s a teacher, we bring a lot of youth out there, but we also bring out Bachelor of Education students. We prepare them for their teaching journeys. And what we do is Indigenous awareness, cultural teachings, but really focused on land-based teachings. A lot of times, we have Nipissing University science program and science Master’s students. We’ve had business students. A whole array of different people come out.”
Norm Dokis will expand on his storytelling for Nipissing University students starting this fall.
“What I’m doing in October is build some teaching modules for the university based on my stories. I’m going to be telling stories, Nanabozho stories, and focus on learning opportunities for students. My first module is going to be about diversity and equality, and then how do I belong and our life journey. I think for new students, especially, it’s providing a focus on Anishinaabe stories and learning opportunities through storytelling.”
Other honourees include Sabah Khan, recipient of the Dr. James Jamieson Influential Alumni Award; Anna Pearson, recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award; and Hayley Heaslip, recipient of the Philanthropy Alumni Award.
“Each year, we look forward to honour some of our esteemed Nipissing alumni whose passion, dedication, leadership, and kindness are making meaningful impacts in their communities and professions,” shared President of Nipissing University Alumni Advisory Board Laurel Muldoon in a media release.