Hello! N’it! Ahnee! Tansi! She:gon!

Ryerson Indigenous Student Services – also known by its acronym R.I.S.S. – provides a culturally supportive environment to promote academic excellence and serves as a place to balance academic learning with traditional teachings and culture.

The role of our office is to provide specialized services for Indigenous, Metis, and Inuit students on campus and to develop a mutually productive relationship between Ryerson and the Indigenous Community. 

Ryerson University Indigenous Student Services

Indigenous Community Outreach and Program

The Indigenous Community Outreach and Recruitment program is based on engaging the Indigenous community (both in Toronto and throughout the Province) in identifying how we can collaborate with and support their career, employment, training and education initiatives and programs.

It is associated with existing transition and support programs, involving several internal and external partners (within the Indigenous community, locally and provincially).

Peter Alphonse is the Indigenous Admissions/Liaison Officer and participates in the Indigenous Post-Secondary Information Program (APSIP) annually. If you are interested in hearing more about this program please contact him. As well, if you are interested in setting up a site visit to Ryerson to see the campus, meet the RISS star team and learn about what we offer, please call or email him.

Please contact Peter Alphonse at 416-979-5000 x3034 or send him an email peteralphonse@ryerson.ca for further information.

Cultural and Traditional
Our Cultural and Traditional Teachings program will complement, strengthen and support our existing services and programs.

We will provide Indigenous students with the opportunity to spend time with Elders, to receive traditional counseling and support.

As well, we will invite Traditional Teachers from the Indigenous community, to share indigenous knowledge and traditions, to teach Indigenous history, culture and protocols.

Please contact Joanne Dallaire, Traditional Counselor, to find out the days and times she is available.

Joanne Dallaire, Traditional Counselor
Room: KHW-389C
Telephone: 416-979-5000

In the interim please contact Sheila Saikkonen for an appointment at x 7699

Peer Support
This dynamic program has Ryerson Indigenous students who do outreach and provide peer support to Indigenous students on-campus.

Drop by the Peer Support office to access student resource information, to find out about our educational, social, and cultural events and how you can get involved.

All Indigenous, Métis, and Inuit students are eligible and welcome to participate in the Indigenous Peer Support program.