Meet student leader Dakota Heon

Nipissing students consistently impress as leaders, in the classroom, on campus and in the community. Recently the university celebrated 25 student leaders at the annual Dave Marshall Leadership Awards. Over the coming months, NU News will introduce each student leader to the wider community with a short article discussing their accomplishments and activities. Today, we are pleased profile Dakota Heon, a student in the bachelor of arts, honours, with specialization in social welfare and social development.

Heon is a charismatic, upbeat, positive young man who upholds the teachings of the Seven Grandfathers at all times. He is passionate about making a difference in the lives of indigenous youth and has already done so in his roles as sexual violence prevention and education assistant, Dibaadan student, and volunteer for the Ontario Indian Friendship Centre.

Over the past year, Heon has played a significant role in helping to strengthen mental health services for Indigenous youth on campus through his work with the Dibaadan project. He assisted in all aspects of the project including research on indigenous mental health supports, developing interview questions, conducting one-on-one interviews with students, facilitating a discussion circle with students and elders, disseminating data collected, and providing recommendations for future years.

As part of this project, Heon also helped to advertise, plan, and support events including a Hand Drum Social which had 80 staff, students, and community members attend. As a major contributor to the program’s success this year, Heon helped in the development of the program’s final report.

Heon has a strong will to be successful in life. When working with, or volunteering alongside Heon is it clear that he is deeply motivated by making a difference in the lives of his peers.

The university community is proud to recognize Heon with a Dave Marshall Leadership Award in the Campus Category.