Indigenous Peer Mentor Program: Honoring the Past, Building for the Future

Long before the official launch of the Indigenous Peer Mentor Program, Indigenous students at Dartmouth had seen the need to support our incoming students and had stepped into mentorship roles, building a foundation of support and community. In the late 2010s,  the Indigenous Student Peer Advisor position was created under the Native American Program (NAP), and it quickly became a vital part of the student experience. These peer advisors offered guidance, shared wisdom, and created spaces of belonging for incoming students.

Their dedication and leadership did not go unnoticed. It was through the success and impact of these early student peer advisors before us, that the need for a broader, more structured, and well funded mentorship initiative became clear. Under the guidance of Nicole Smoke, Assistant Director of the Native American Program, a re-envisioned mentoring program was launched. Now named the Indigenous Peer Mentor Program, the program expanded opportunities for Indigenous students to mentor, taught programming skills, and developed leadership development skills specifically centering Indigenous values and leadership models.  

As our first academic year comes to an end, we would like to take a moment to celebrate our six incredible Indigenous Peer Mentors: Abigail Burgess '25, Leora DePerry '26, Malachai Ah Yo '26, Liv Deeley '27,  Kellie Miller '27 and Felix Hedberg '27.

This cohort of mentors marked our first group of Indigenous Peer Mentors (IPMs)—formerly known as Indigenous Student Peer Advisors—to take part in the newly revamped Indigenous Peer Mentor Program within the NAP. With this transformation, the program now includes a dedicated Indigenous Peer Mentor Training Retreat, required participation and facilitation in the Native and Indigenous Pre-Orientation Program, clearly structured roles, team and individual meetings and a designated program budget for events, all managed under the Native American Program's Assistant Director. 

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From Left to Right: Leora DePerry '26, Kellie Miller '27, Felix Hedberg '27, Liv Deeley '27, Malachai Ah Yo '26, and Abigail Burgess '25 

As we work to formalize and refine this initiative, these mentors continue to demonstrate flexibility and commitment, helping us shape a more impactful support system for Indigenous students. Their adaptability has been key in navigating this transition and laying the groundwork for future cohorts and improvements.

Throughout the year, this group of mentors have gone above and beyond in creating a supportive, and welcoming space for our first-year Indigenous students. From the very start, they each stepped up with open hearts—leading with empathy and compassion ready to guide, listen, and uplift their peers as they navigated their new journey at Dartmouth.

What makes this group of students so special isn't just their dedication—it's the genuine connection they've fostered with their peers and their passion to make this such an inclusive environment for our first year students. Whether it was through casual check-ins, study sessions, community events, or just being there when someone needed a familiar face, Leora, Liv, Malachai, Kellie, Abby, and Felix have made a real and lasting impact.

Their efforts go far beyond academics. By hosting community gatherings, one on one check ins, small group events and providing consistent support throughout the year, they've helped build a foundation of trust, empowerment, and belonging for our first year students.

To our Indigenous Peer Mentors, thank you. You've shown us the strength that comes from standing together and the power of mentorship rooted in care and culture. We're proud of all you've accomplished and grateful for everything you've given to our community.

I'm so grateful that this was my first cohort of Indigenous Peer Mentors to work with during my first year at Dartmouth. They are incredibly kind, caring, and truly helped make my own transition into this role smoother. Their genuine spirit, empathy, and the way they lead while staying grounded in their cultural values was inspiring to witness and an honor to work alongside. They've truly shaped this program into what it is today, and I'm so excited to see how our next group of mentors will continue to grow and evolve it. Leora, Liv, Kellie, Malachai, Abby and Felix, Thank you for all that you do, here's to you—and to the impact your mentorship will continue to have for years to come. - Nicole Smoke, Assistant Director of the Native American Program