In my first year at McGill University in Montreal, I found a home and community around the long table in the university’s four-story, red stone First Peoples’ House. The house serves as a residence and gathering space for Indigenous students, and by the time I completed my first year of university, the Wednesday soup and bannock lunches were part of my routine. It was a good way to get to know other Indigenous students on campus, and it has helped me to build that Indigenous community.
First Peoples’ House was more than my gateway to feeling at home at McGill — it was also how I first learned about the school’s AISES College Chapter. Early in my first semester, First Peoples’ House organized a welcome dinner, which allowed me to get to know other Indigenous students at McGill. There, I met the former McGill AISES College Chapter president. Once he learned I was interested in math and computer science, he encouraged me to join AISES and consider attending their annual conference.
I thought that a science conference for Indigenous students and professionals sounded pretty great. I attended the 2019 AISES National Conference in Milwaukee, Wis., and was really amazed being in a place where everyone was interested in STEM and we all shared a common background. I wanted to be more involved after that conference because I think the AISES goal to increase Indigenous representation in STEM is really important. When I was younger, I didn’t really see Indigenous people in STEM, much less in mathematics.
I’ve been particularly interested in mathematics since high school, when I’d stay after class to ask my functions teacher questions like “Can I do this?” or “Am I allowed to do that?” I enjoyed math class the most, and I continued to study it in CEGEP (the Quebec equivalent of a junior college) before starting my bachelor’s degree at McGill.
I’m currently living at home in Châteauguay, a town just outside of Montreal, where I grew up, and I’m glad to have my extended family close while I work on my degree. But my Indigenous roots are in the Cree community of Calling Lake, Alberta, where my grandmother is from. Growing up, I didn’t identify with the Indigenous communities surrounding my hometown, so I was relieved to find a strong community at First Peoples’ House at McGill where I could meet people from all over, some also with the same interests in STEM.
First Peoples’ House was more than my gateway to feeling at home at McGill — it was also where I first learned about the school’s AISES College Chapter.
After my first AISES conference, I got more involved in my College Chapter and later ran to be the Junior Canadian National Student Representative for 2020. After I was elected, I pitched in to help organize the virtual 2020 National Conference. I hope to work toward increased Canadian student representation in AISES during my term. Last year at the National Conference, we had a supper with the other Canadian students who had come, and it was a bit sad not to see more people there. That was why I wanted to be involved with AISES as a student representative — to help to get the word out throughout Canada.
My life at the intersection of STEM and the Indigenous community has given me a front-row seat for the unfolding conversation surrounding the Indigenization and decolonization of university education in Canada. It’s definitely something that AISES at McGill is trying to work toward, and I think there’s more that can be done to make universities more inclusive. For example, an AISES member at McGill is currently working with the university’s engineering faculty to Indigenize some of their courses.
Last summer I was offered an internship with Calgary-based TC Energy, a position I heard about through a 2019 National Conference connection. While the pandemic prevented me from living in Calgary for the summer, I was able to complete the internship remotely. The internship introduced me to cloud operations and computer infrastructure, and I was able to promote AISES to another intern who studies at Acadia University in Nova Scotia.
Going forward, I’d like to find a job in industry or the public sector, but I’m keeping my options open. Data analysis is interesting, and parsing ever-growing amounts of data is an in-demand skill. Or I could do something like operations research, using modeling, optimization, and statistics to improve processes. I’m excited about the opportunities that a degree in mathematics can bring.
—As told to Lyndsie Bourgon
Cherokee, N.C., is known for one thing: Harrah’s Casino. As a young girl growing up in its shadow, I knew that a career tied to Harrah’s wasn’t in my future. Instead, my interests lay in finance and art. But it wasn’t until I attended Arizona State University that I understood how to combine the two. Now, as an MBA candidate at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in Los Angeles, I’m well on my way to realizing my dreams by combining my financial skills with my love of art.
I was born and raised on the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Reservation, and my parents, brother, and I enjoyed the support and comradery of a close-knit community. But the reservation is very rural — the closest shopping mall is an hour away. I knew that in order to get the education I needed, I would have to branch out beyond my hometown. Because my tribe’s school on the reservation did not offer enough advanced courses, I drove around 30 minutes daily to go to a larger high school.
At Smoky Mountain High School in Sylva, N.C., I embraced my passion for numbers and art. I had the best art teacher, Gayle Woody, who truly uplifted my art and showed me how to navigate my combined love for fashion and art. Throughout high school I remained serious about my academics, and as I got closer to graduation I faced the tough decision of where to further my education.
It was common for everyone at my high school to go to the university that is about 10 minutes away. I wanted to do everything I could to avoid going somewhere that close. My grandparents — my Papa Ray especially — encouraged me not only to attend college, but to go all the way to Arizona to do it.
Once at Arizona State University, I initially struggled to find my footing. My biggest obstacle was the culture shock of not knowing anyone at a big university. Instead of becoming overwhelmed, I joined ASU’s SPIRIT program for Native freshmen, remained involved in AISES, and participated in the American Indian Student Support Services group. These connections helped me create lasting friendships and provided me with a sense of community I was missing.
Instead of becoming overwhelmed, I joined ASU’s SPIRIT program for Native freshmen, remained involved in AISES, and participated in the American Indian Student Support Services group. These connections helped me create lasting friendships and provided me with a sense of community I was missing.
I also threw myself into my studies, where I found my passion and focused my career path. I chose finance because I wanted to make sure that I would be able to have a promising future in something that I was not only passionate about, but also good at. Though once I fell in love with my fashion classes, I found that I needed to focus my financial education within the fashion industry.
After I graduated from ASU, I knew the next logical step was to attend the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising, where my graduate program’s focus on business is perfect for helping me understand and work the tools necessary for my career goals. My dream is to have my own fashion brand while being CEO and possibly the CFO of a couture fashion company and maintain my unique fashion styling business for high-end clientele.
I never lose sight of my goals, and I know that I would not have gotten this far without the support of my family. Without my parents I would not be where I am today. They are the force that has driven me to pursue and develop my goals. I also believe strongly in myself and my abilities. The best quality that has helped my success is my learned ability to manifest all that I do and aspire to do.
Going to college and graduate school to follow my dreams was a huge risk, but it has come with huge rewards. Hands down the best thing I have ever done for myself was taking the chance of a lifetime and packing up all my belongings to travel across the country to a foreign place with nothing but myself. I want to encourage others to feel comfortable taking risks and following their dreams. No one should ever stop setting goals for their future. This life we are living is a gift and we should use it to manifest our dreams to provide greater gifts to others. I know I am doing exactly that.
—As told to Alexa Panza