Indigenous Leadership: Brooke Willier and Autumn Manning's Journey at the Lang School of Business and Economics
At the Lang School of Business and Economics, we are proud to foster a learning environment that emphasizes equity, diversity, and inclusion, values that are essential to Lang’s commitment to reconciliation with Indigenous peoples. As we reflect on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, we recognize the significance of supporting Indigenous students, like Brooke Willier and Autumn Manning, in their academic journeys and leadership development. Their stories embody Lang’s efforts to create meaningful opportunities for Indigenous students, ensuring their voices, histories, and contributions are fully integrated into our community. Through programs such as START Indigenous and student leadership opportunities, U of G and Lang are dedicated to building stronger relationships with Indigenous communities.
Brooke Willier, BComm ’26, is majoring in Management and minoring in Sport and Event Management and Marketing. She is a Cree student from Sucker Creek First Nation, Alberta and shares more about her experience at the Lang School.
Before Orientation week, Brooke participated in a program called START Indigenous, which allows Indigenous students and their families to explore, learn and connect with the campus community, meet other students and the Indigenous Student Centre staff. Being a part of START Indigenous allowed her to form connections with other Indigenous students, explore the city of Guelph and learn about supports and resources that were available. This program set Brooke up for success at both the University of Guelph and the Lang School. Lang embodies a sense of community unlike any other school, and having meaningful connections and relationships is what I value most.
Brooke has served as a Student Representative on the Lang Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Board, the Department of Management Curriculum Committee, and the HeforShe Event Committee, and serving as the incoming Chair of the Events Committee for student organizations that are accredited and affiliated with Lang. Furthermore, she is the Marketing and Events Co-op Student for Lang’s Dean’s Office and the Business Career Development Centre. In this position, Brooke created and post social media content, assist with event promotions, logistics and setup, and help promote career and job information for students. These experiences have shaped her communication, creativity, and decision-making skills tremendously.
“I am grateful for the support and opportunities that I have received from Lang. I’ve been able establish connections and have been exposed to experiences that have shaped me to continue down the path of leadership. Indigenous representation in business involves more than just opening positions, it means engaging and building relationships with Indigenous peoples and communities. It also means learning the history and interests of Indigenous people and integrating that knowledge into the choices businesses make.”
-Brooke Willier
Autumn Manning is Anishinaabe from Kettle & Stony Point First Nation. She is pursuing a Bachelor of Commerce in Management with a minor in Marketing, currently in her fourth year of studies.
One of the main reasons Autumn chose to study at Lang is the abundance of extra-curricular opportunities, such as student associations, case competitions, and field study programs, along with the cultural events hosted by the Indigenous Student Centre on campus.
Autumn has been involved in two field school programs at UofG, including Sweden: Conversations with the Sami on Revitalizing Indigenous Lands and Cultures and the Caribbean Field School: Sustainable Tourism. In Sweden, she travelled across the country to meet with members of the Sami community, fostering relationships, learning about their culture, and sharing knowledge about reconciliation. This experience deepened her understanding of her own First Nations culture.
Another key reason Autumn chose to study at Lang was because of the financial support the school offers. This past Summer, she was honoured to receive one of the Indigenous Undergraduate Research Assistantships, allowing her to work under the guidance of Dr. Rodenburg on projects focused on business ethics.
“I deeply value Indigenous representation in business, as I believe that business can be a powerful force for positive change. This belief, strongly promoted throughout LANG, encourages businesses to advocate for and contribute to positive outcomes in Indigenous communities.”
-Autumn Manning