I choose Confederation College because I have always liked what they have to offer in all areas of support to the students who attend classes here.
I wanted to get into the Social Worker program, but there was a wait list and thus I enrolled in the Native Child and Family Service Program.
The most positive experience I have of Confederation College is the new friendships I have gained and the support given to me by instructors and my classmates to complete my program.
I want to express how supportive my instructors were when I was in the program. I had to deal with the loss of my husband, who had terminal cancer.
Confederation College has changed my life in that it has provided me with a greater collection of diverse human beings who I have learned from and have been able to grow with.
All of the instructors that I had in my 2 years at College are all favourites of mine. I was able to build a rapport with each of them, although one instructor, the Program Coordinator stands out as being a mentor to me. I looked up to her and she is a wonderful person. It is sad that she is leaving us.
I do have some funny stories, one of the most memorable ones is of the students who gave me the nickname of "Paleo Woman". I apparently knew more about Native culture and studies than some of the instructors who taught us the subjects. One of the students even made a film (Paleo Nation) and it was shown to my classmates in one of our last classes. I laughed so hard, like everyone else, that tears formed in my eyes.
My education at Confederation College has taught me that we have to be honest, fair and open with one another. I have also found that I am a people person and will always advocate for those less fortunate than I. I will also continue advocating for all students to succeed in reaching their goals. There is nothing in this world that a person cannot become, for nothing stands in their way, unless they put something or someone else put it in their way.
I have only been in my job as SUCCI President for one month and I am enjoying it immensely. I like to be challenged and this is definitely happening. I have co-workers who are eager to work with me and I with them. I feel a fit at this time as the President of the Student Union and I know the the SUCCI staff are well aware of how the working relationship works between everyone in the office. I represent over 3,000 students and look forward to representing all students concerns, once I begin to interract with them in September. I will be representing them at the school, municipal, regional, provincial and federal levels. I am also accountable as Board of Director and to the College. In my role, I will keep on learning and growing, for this is an ongoing process in everyone's life.
The greatest satisfaction in my job is the people I work with and the ones I will be working with. Of course once I get to interract with the students, I will be even more satisfied and happy. It is then that I know I am doing my job.
My advice for someone who may be considering the program I was in is to be able to build a rapport with your instructors. Also take part in class discussions and speak up, but also listen as well to one another. Be respectful of your peers and of your instructors. As the job I hold now is only one year, with the possibility of a second year, if elected, one has to be passionate about student governance and be a spokesperson who is confident in representing student concerns at all levels of the government. Please read the Day Planner and use it. Also, very important to every student is to read your e-mails from the college daily, or at least 3 to 4 times a week.
All the students in my graduating class all have a job. There is the need for Native Child and Family Workers in Ontario, as well as other parts of Canada. I turned down two jobs to take the one I now hold. I am glad that I have made the decsion to do this.
I perceive the most sought-after qualifications and talents that employers are currently seeking in my field is people who can provide the best care and counselling to keep families together or to unite families.
I found that Student Support Service areas and resources to be of high quality and are awesome. I found that reading the Day Planner gave me all the information I needed to succeed in my program.
I have found since I moved here that there is an abundance of recreational and social opportunities that are available to everyone. People can be 5 years old right up to 90+ and find something that they like to become involved in. The possibilities are endless.
I would like to see Confederation College become more sustainable in regards to eco environment. I hope to make this one of my goals while in office as the President of the Student Union and to get students involved in being a part of making Confederation College the College who leads the way in "Greening the Campus."
Summary of My Personal Success Story:
- 19 Years involved with Beendigen, 11 of those years as President of the Board.
- Served on various other Boards, Multicultural, Race Relations, Youth
- Board of Director - OASA, Director of Culture, Confederation College
- Board of Director - SUCCI Inc, Senator of Neegahneewin
- President - SUCCI Student Union of Confederation College, Inc
- Aboriginal Youth Achievement Award - Community Involvement
I am the mother of 4 children and grandmother of 7 grandchildren. I was raised in a family where my parents gave us lots of love. I have 4 surviving brothers and 5 surviving sisters. I lost a brother in 1974 and a sister in 1994. I am a widow and I think God was testing me over the last 18 months, as he took my husband, 3 of my best friends husbands, my beloved Auntie/Godmother and one of my daughters father-in-law. I am a great-great-great-great-great Auntie.