We are thankful to be welcome on these lands in friendship. The lands we are situated on are covered by the Williams Treaties and are the traditional territory of the Mississaugas, a branch of the greater Anishinaabeg Nation, including Algonquin, Ojibway, Odawa and Pottawatomi. These lands remain home to many Indigenous nations and peoples.

We acknowledge this land out of respect for the Indigenous nations who have cared for Turtle Island, also called North America, from before the arrival of settler peoples until this day. Most importantly, we acknowledge that the history of these lands has been tainted by poor treatment and a lack of friendship with the First Nations who call them home.

This history is something we are all affected by because we are all treaty people in Canada. We all have a shared history to reflect on, and each of us is affected by this history in different ways. Our past defines our present, but if we move forward as friends and allies, then it does not have to define our future.

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Gina Molleson

Gina Molleson One donor-funded award can add energy to a researcher’s work.

Gina Molleson epitomizes social justice activism and advocacy for women's rights. As an undergraduate she worked with the university's Outreach Services, an experience that provided resources and leadership opportunities. It also earned her a donor-funded award that honoured how her passion and advocacy had made a difference at the university.

"I loved Outreach Services because it provided me with a large amount of resources surrounding this issue, leadership opportunities as well as opportunities to network with community partners," she said.

Today, in her second year of a master’s program in sociology, Gina’s research still embraces social justice, something that underpins our Criminology and Justice program. She is comparing media representations of police interactions with youth since the establishment of the Youth Criminal Justice Act. She hopes to identify how the media's representation on this phenomenon has changed since its inception.

Gina's also involved in numerous activities related to youth issues, such as homelessness and youth-on-youth violence. She was a member of the research team who worked to create SAY App for Eva's Initiatives, a non-profit that provides shelter, programs and services for homeless and at-risk youth. SAY App is a mobile application that connects homeless and street-involved youth with services and supports across Canada. For giving back to the community, Gina received a donor-funded award.

"I was honoured to have received an award that highlighted the work that I was able to do for the community in the four years I was at UOIT," Gina said. "I am grateful for donors who support the hard work and dedication of students."

Gina's enthusiasm for social justice issues continues driving her ambition to do more research in this field. Ultimately, she hopes to become a professor as well as a respected researcher in Criminology.