Q: Tell me about yourself! Where and what did you study? What do you like to do for fun?

A: Right now, I’m finishing up a Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences at the University of Ottawa with a minor in Feminist and Gender Studies. Before that, I went to highschool at l’Ecole Secondaire catholique de Hearst! When I’m not working or studying, I like to walk around Ottawa’s parks, play strategy video games, or watch a good drama.

 

Q: What do you do as the Post-Secondary Representative?

A: As the Post-Secondary Representative to the PCMNO, I have the ability to vote on all decisions that go through it. A major part of my role is to listen to students’ concerns when those decisions are made. I attend regular PCMNO meetings and MNO Youth Council meetings as a non-voting member, and coordinate with the MNO’s Post-Secondary Education staff to make sure their needs are met as well.

 

Q: Why did you seek this position?

A: I sought out the Post-Secondary Representative role to give back to my community by supporting our students. I also believe that education is a right—one that I can uphold for our people by acting within my role’s responsibilities.

 

Q: How has being Métis had an impact on your life and how you think of yourself?

A: Embracing my identity added meaning and direction to my life; I no longer feel ashamed to be who I am and know there is a place for me wherever my path follows.

 

Q: How have you overcome adversity? What advice would you offer to a younger version of yourself or younger students currently battling through adversity?

A: I’d tell new students that you don’t always have to be strong. It’s okay to doubt yourself, to feel alone, to cry in the face of adversity. It’s okay to stumble, to fall.

 

Q: How did the Infinite Reach program prepare you for the work you will now do as the Post-Secondary Representative?

A: Infinite Reach gave me a network, resources and spaces to interact with Indigenous students and build positive relationships within our community and with other communities.

 

Q: Who would you recommend the Infinite Reach program to?

A: I’d recommend it to any Metis student with an affinity for leadership or event coordination, or anyone who just wants to be more involved with the MNO in general. Infinite Reach is a great starting point for building contacts.

Please note that some of the above answers have been edited for brevity and readability.

To learn more about the Infinite Reach program, click here!

You can contact Ryan by email at RyanL@metisnation.org.