In recognition of Indigenous History Month, Sophie Chrisjohn-Weiler, a fourth-year English major at York and a proud Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabe student, sat down with us to share her experience. Raised in Kitchener, Ontario, Sophie grew up with strong cultural roots, shaped by her grandfather, Ken Chrisjohn's role as a medicine man and sub-chief, and her mother, Rosie Chrisjohn-Weiler’s work in Indigenous centres. Today, she’s a Student Success Mentor with the Centre for Indigenous Student Services (CISS), helping other Indigenous students find their place at York.
A cultural foundation
“My mom is Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabe from Chippewa of the Thames and Oneida Nation of the Thames,” Sophie shared. “I typically identify with Haudenosaunee, because that’s where I’m registered and where my grandparents live.”
Summers were often spent on the reserve, where she made memories with cousins, drove four-wheelers and basked in stories from her grandfather. “He was very involved with ceremony in our culture; he was very much involved with the longhouse. He was sub-chief of Bear Clan and was a medicine man.” She said, “He passed before I could really get into ceremony and understand the teachings. But I carry the knowledge he shared with us every day.”
Her mom and great-aunt also played formative roles. “Being with my mom and watching her lead a community and be a guide for other Indigenous people... that's definitely helped me in this position,” she explained. “And my great aunt, Andrea Chrisjohn, runs Council Fire here in Toronto. I knew that she was important in the community, but it wasn't until I got to York that I realized just how impactful what she does is.”
Confronting challenges
Although her roots are strong, Sophie has experienced the challenges of navigating between Indigenous and non-Indigenous spaces growing up.
“Non-indigenous people view you as a novelty, like, ‘oh, wow, you still exist?’ That can be really isolating,” she shared.
She recalls confronting harmful stereotypes and misinformation, even from teachers. Those experiences helped shape her justice-oriented perspective, one that drives her to speak up and support others.
“I am so proud of where I’m from and my culture, I don’t want to see people disrespecting it,” she said, “I want to use that same privilege again to step up and give a voice to people that may not have one.”
It’s no surprise that Sophie carried that spirit with her to York.
Becoming a Student Success Mentor
When Sophie first chose York, she was drawn by the programming, but what drew her to stay was the Indigenous student resources and support network she found here.
Now, as a Student Success Mentor with the Centre for Indigenous Student Services (CISS), Sophie helps guide new students and create the same sense of belonging that was once offered to her. Her path to becoming a mentor was inspired by her friend Leo, who she first met at the Indigenous student orientation hosted by CISS. As her mentor, he made a lasting impact on her.
“It got kind of lonely sometimes, but having CISS and having those mentors and this little community on campus, was really comforting. And it was a safety net of sorts, because honestly, all the staff there are super supportive,” she explained. “I think it's beautiful. I think it's a really good way to build a sense of community for people that aren't close to theirs.”
Leading with compassion and resilience
For Sophie, leadership means being present and open. Whether it’s chatting with students who drop by the centre or welcoming new students and helping them with the transition to university, she approaches her work with empathy and compassion – values deeply rooted in her Haudenosaunee teachings.
“Being a leader in my community means being available, being strong, and being resilient... and just, you know, being a guide. Being someone they can turn to if they're confused, scared or lost, and helping them the best way that I can.”
Sophie’s advice
When asked to recommend a starting point for anyone wanting to learn more about Indigenous experiences, Sophie suggested the author, Louise Erdrich.
“It’s fiction, but it’s also based off her real life and her real experiences,” she said.
Sophie also encouraged everyone, Indigenous and non-Indigenous, to attend community events like powwows if they’re open to the public.
“You're supporting the dancers. You're supporting the people who put on the powwow. You're supporting the vendors that are there, the people selling food, because they're all Indigenous,” she said. “You’re helping to get rid of the stigma.”
As she reflects on her time at York and her role within the Indigenous community on campus, Sophie emphasized the importance of connection and identity.
“I’ve made friendships at CISS that are going to last a lifetime,” she said, “I want future students to know that the proximity in which you grew up with your culture does not define how Indigenous you are. You don’t have to act or look a certain way… use the CISS resources to build your relationship with your culture.”