I chose to attend McGill because I knew that I would receive a world-class education and build a network that would help me advance my career. As a student from Western Canada, studying in Quebec provided me with new perspectives and a broader worldview. I also developed an appreciation for Montreal’s wonderful restaurants.
My father was the first person in his family to obtain a university education, and I saw the opportunities that this gave him. I wanted to honour his sacrifices and build upon his successes. Attending a university of McGill’s calibre allowed me to create a better life than the one he had.
I was fortunate to receive the Elisabeth H. Stedman Best in the West Scholarship, which allowed me to focus my energies on my studies and on a variety of extracurricular activities. I served on the McGill Alumni Student Engagement Committee and the Indigenous Studies Program Committee. I was part of the first McGill24 fundraising campaign and more recently I participated in several Best in the West Scholarship events to promote and raise funds for these important awards.
Other activities allowed me to hone my leadership skills. As co-president of the Indigenous Student Alliance, I helped to organize an academic conference of Indigenous academics from across the country. I was also a student representative on the McGill Indigenous Studies Program Committee and served as a student mentor through the Cousins Indigenous Mentorship Program at First Peoples’ House.
After earning my Bachelor of Commerce degree I moved home to Saskatchewan to start my professional career. After a brief stint in public accounting, I joined the Clarence Campeau Development Fund (CCDF), Canada’s leading Métis Financial Institution. I am responsible for the Sasktchewan branch of the Indigenous Women Entrepreneurship (IWE) program, which seeks to close the gender gap in financing for Indigenous women entrepreneurs and remove other structural barriers, including access to educational and community support resources.
I also served a three-year term on the Regina Downtown Business Improvement District Board, where I advocated for increased accessibility for Indigenous entrepreneurs. I am currently working towards a Master’s of Governance and Entrepreneurship in Northern and Indigenous Areas, where my research focuses on the intersections of Métis women’s entrepreneurship, self-determination, Métis governance and Indigenous nation building.
The world-class education, the networks and the opportunities I gained at McGill were incredibly formative in developing my passions and advancing my career. I learned from people with very different life experiences and perspectives and was able to share mine with others.
My continued engagement with McGill is a recognition of these enriching experiences. I believe we each have a responsibility to make life better for those who come after us. Serving my alma mater is a great way to ensure that.