Testimonial for Onajigawin Indigenous Services from Kayla Berthelette

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Kayla Berthelette

Graduate of 2019 – Community Support Worker, Our Kids Count (Windsor Unit)

Choosing Confederation College changed my life. It pushed me out of my comfort zone, helped me grow more independent, and prepared me to support children and families in my community.

Full Story

Very impressed. Graduates are highly sought after from this program.

How Confederation College Has Changed My life

Confederation College has given me the confidence and skills I needed to apply for a job. It also provided me with opportunities to build my rapport within this city with existing local helping agencies through placement positions related to my field of expertise. There are many things going on at the college that help people socialize and do positive activities, such as karaoke contests, SUCCI, food banks, mental health awareness, peer tutoring and peer mentorship opportunities. I helped tutor a student from the first year of my program and it helped me realize I had something to offer, added to my experience for my resume and helped me gain references invaluable to securing a full time job after graduation. Graduates are highly sought after from this program and I handed out resumes before graduating at a job fair within the college. I was called back and interviewed by every agency I handed a resume to, which was like 20! I had to turn down jobs and offers of employment because the response was so overwhelming and I had never been contacted like that before I attained my education. I have made many friends and relationships with the teachers and classmates as well.

My Most Positive Experience or Memory of Confederation College

  • Peer tutoring
  • Receiving bursaries and awards

Teachers Who Made a Difference

Shawna Larson, Pam Burton & William Esquega

My Personal Success Highlights

I am a non-visible Métis woman and had struggled with my identity before entering this program. I lost my mom at a very young age and was not connected to my heritage or culture. It was difficult to find my place amongst other Métis people because I never felt accepted by indigenous groups and I never quite felt accepted by non-indigenous people, even though my skin is white and my eyes are blue. What I learnt about the culture is how accepting it is and the friends I made invited me to drumming groups and taught me their songs- if you want to learn about the culture all you have to do is ask. Indigenous people are so warm, welcoming and inviting and forgiving . The culture empowered me and attending pow wows, sharing circles, learning how to mend and sew and going to sweats and Apiwin events helped me regain that sense of belonging.