Tiffany travelled to Ottawa in early June at the Senate’s invitation, one of 10 speakers chosen from more than 100 nominations across the country to take part in the 2017 Indigenous Youth Leaders at the Senate program. The event — an initiative of the Senate’s Standing Committee on Aboriginal Peoples — engaged youth to help forge a new relationship between Canada and First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples.

“To be recognized for who I am and what I enjoy doing made me realize that when you allow yourself to be authentic, amazing things can happen,” she says.

“It makes me so proud”

A program advisor and recruiter for Indigenous Business Education Partners (IBEP), a community of Indigenous, Métis and Inuit students at the University of Manitoba’s Asper School of Business, Tiffany visits high schools, career fairs and First Nations schools across the province to promote the Asper School’s undergraduate business program, as well as the supportive community IBEP provides to Indigenous business students. She also helps IBEP students plan their academic journey and access resources to help them succeed, including scholarships and bursaries.

Tiffany with Justice Murray Sinclair

“It makes me so proud when I get to see one of my students graduate, or when I see an Indigenous youth become comfortable enough around me to show me their work,” she told senators in her address. She said she was also proud to witness Indigenous students learn more about their own culture through U of M resources and programs.

“The University of Manitoba and the Asper School of Business have grown so much over the past years in welcoming the Indigenous community.”

At Asper, for instance, the University of Manitoba Indigenous Commerce Students (UMICS) student group has launched speaker programs and events aimed at raising awareness about Indigenous issues and culture. And this past year, the Commerce Students’ Association, representing Asper’s undergraduate student body, welcomed its first Indigenous Student Rep.

“We need to keep pushing forward”

The result, she says, is that “Indigenous students feel more welcome, but people of all backgrounds are learning more about Indigenous cultures.”

Tiffany credits this momentum on an eagerness to move forward on the part of both Indigenous and non-Indigenous members of the Asper community.

“The dean came to us, asking us what we wanted to do. He hosted a workshop for faculty and staff that gave my students a chance to speak about their experiences at the school. So much growth has taken place. Now we need to keep pushing forward.”

Tiffany told the committee her experience at Asper helped her discover how she could make a difference by “helping Indigenous youth find their passion.” Tiffany was born and raised in Winnipeg, with roots in the community of Stony Point. Her parents always encouraged her to pursue her own passion — swimming — in spite of financial challenges. As a family, they didn’t speak much of their Métis culture, but “we always appreciated who we were.” It wasn’t until she took part in the 2002 North American Indigenous Games that Tiffany began to connect with her cultural identity in a profound new way. “I looked around and saw so many people like me. I felt so connected to everyone,” she says.

The journey to healing

Later Tiffany became the first person in her family to earn a university degree — a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) degree from the Asper School in 2012. As a student she joined IBEP, which helped her connect more deeply with her Métis roots. She even succeeded in encouraging her brother to also pursue a business degree – an accomplishment she describes as a “great joy.”

One of the highlights of her journey to the Senate was the standing ovation she received, along with the other leaders, from the senators. “That was cool,” she says.

A more personal highlight was the card she received from her mother after she returned home. Tiffany’s mother nominated her for the program and accompanied her on her journey.

The card read:

This thank you card is to tell how thankful I am to you for making me realize that I can be proud of who I am and that I shouldn’t be ashamed to say it out loud that I am a Métis woman. Even though it was very hard for me to hear all the speeches, as it brought up bad memories flooding back for me, I know I need to deal with those feelings. It was when I was listening to your speech, as well as some of the other youth leaders, that I started to become more at peace with myself and understand that I need to let myself heal. I want you to know that it is you that is helping me become “ME”.

Tiffany says, “This is what my hope is for Indigenous people — that when we share our stories, others will start to feel more comfortable sharing theirs, and this can be the first step on the journey to healing.”

 “Through exchange programs, service learning, and summer travel courses at the University of Manitoba, I have learned that traveling is one of the best ways to learn,” says Brayden.

“I live off of the thrill of exploring, learning, and meeting new people. Studying at the U of M has allowed me to visit 34 different countries and build relationships with people around the world.”

Building cultural bridges is very important to the Asper School of Business graduate with roots from Peguis First Nation. During one of his three co-op placements, he approached Winnipeg Blue Bombers management with the idea of reading a statement before every CFL game to acknowledge Indigenous territory.

“The largest bridge that I have built so far was between the Indigenous community and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers,” he says. “It has had a huge impact in breaking down barriers, while also promoting awareness of the past treatment of Indigenous peoples and the ongoing process of truth and reconciliation.”

“Being an Aboriginal student, I also value programs such as the Aboriginal Business Education Partners and the support that I received from people like the dean of Asper,” said Brayden. “To feel supported, trusted, respected, and valued at the UofM was imperative to my success and motivation because I felt like the faculty truly cared about my development.”

 After graduation, Brayden started working for TD Commercial Bank and loves his new office inside the iconic TD Tower building in downtown Winnipeg.

“The finance industry had been an interesting area of work for me because creativity and brand strategy is my passion and finance is very analytical in nature,” says Brayden. “I’m trying to break through the typical conservative nature of the bank and it’s been challenging, but also extremely enriching at the same time.”

“My life goal is to travel the world while climbing the corporate ladder to gain experience, before jumping out there and taking the big risk to run my own business.”

Visit umconnect.ca to learn more about our students’ experiences and explore our campus.

The annual awards recognize Manitoba Indigenous youth between the ages of 16 and 24 in areas including academic accomplishment, community involvement, culture, business and athletics.

A committee of Indigenous youth chose this year’s 15 winners. The U of M recipients include students in the Asper School of Business’ Aboriginal Business Education Partners (ABEP), the Faculty of Education and the Faculty of Engineering’s Access Program (ENGAP).

“It is a tribute to the University of Manitoba’s Indigenous programs that U of M students received so many awards,” says Randy Herrmann, director of ENGAP. “At every award ceremony I am impressed by the incredible abilities of the Indigenous youth in this province.”

The awards were formed in 1994 to celebrate the achievements of Indigenous youth and to showcase their success in the community.

Carter Wilson, who was a 2015 award winner, co-hosted this year’s event. Wilson studies in the Asper School of Business and is the president of the U of M’s Association of Aboriginal Commerce Students.

“Utilizing past winners as emcees and as presenters is a great opportunity to provide today’s youth with powerful and successful role models,” Herrmann says.

By Kaitlin Vitt

The U of M recipients of the 2016 Manitoba Aboriginal Youth Achievement Awards are:

Kailey Atkinson – Business – Linda Park Award for Business/Entrepreneurship

Kailey Atkinson, who is Ojibwa from Austin, Man., was accepted into the Asper School of Business this fall and is part of ABEP. She is the vice-president of operations of the Association of Aboriginal Commerce Students and was the first-year representative last year. She co-emceed the 2016 ABEP graduation and currently works for Indspire, a charity focused on Indigenous education.

Kailey plans to graduate with a bachelor of commerce (honours), majoring in human resource management and minoring in Aboriginal business studies. After graduation, she wants to work with youth in a rural Indigenous community.

Julie Desrochers – Education – Cultural Female

Julie Desrochers, of Métis descent, is in her final year in the Faculty of Education and wants to be a French immersion teacher. She is the treasurer of the Metis University Students’ Association.

She is involved with Le Musée de Saint-Boniface Museum, where she has delivered programs, including beadwork, sash weaving and jigging, to teach people about Métis culture.

Julie played hockey and was involved with the National Aboriginal Hockey Championships, GEN7, the Manitoba Metis Federation’s Road to Gold Program and the Wayne Babych sports school.

Emma Gillespie – Engineering – Academic Junior

First-year student Emma Gillespie is part of the Engineering Access Program. She is Métis and is from Selkirk. She has recently won multiple awards, including the Governor General’s Academic Medal for her high school, the Queen Elizabeth II Entrance scholarship and the Price Industries Limited Entrance Scholarship for Engineering.

Emma is bilingual in French and English and can communicate in Spanish. She plays ringette, winning bronze with Team Manitoba at the Western Canadian Ringette Championships in 2014. She also volunteers as a timekeeper at ringette games and is a coach.

Emma plans to graduate with a degree in biomedical engineering.

Alex Hosfield – Business – Community/Volunteer Senior

Alex Hosfield, of Métis descent, is in his third year at the Asper School of Business through ABEP. Every event ABEP hosts, Alex is there to volunteer his time proudly. He co-emceed the 2016 ABEP graduation.

Alex was the first-year representative for the Association of Aboriginal Commerce Students, and in his second year he was the vice-president of operations. This year he is the executive co-ordinator for the Metis University Students’ Association, where he emphasizes promoting and teaching Métis culture.

Alex plans to start his own business or work in a management position at a large technology company.

Kyle Monkman – Electrical Engineering – Academic Senior

Kyle Monkman, of Métis descent, is in his fourth year of electrical engineering. He is a student in the Engineering Access Program, where he mentors other students. He has a GPA of 4.33 and won the U of M Open Mathematics Competition this past year.

Kyle has volunteered with the Verna J. Kirkness Science and Engineering Education Program, working to get more Indigenous youth studying math and science in Canada. Kyle has done research through the Undergraduate Student Research Award and plans to get a masters or PhD in engineering.

Kyle is also a blues and jazz guitarist.

Christian Toupin – Business – Athletic Senior

Christian Toupin is in his third year at the Asper School of Business and is a member of ABEP. He is pursuing a bachelor of commerce (honours) degree. He is of Métis descent and grew up in St. Claude, Man.

Christian played sports in high school and university, including hockey and broomball. He has played in the broomball nationals for the past four years and has been named an all-star at nationals. He recently attended the World Broomball Championship where his team placed second.

Since being accepted into the Asper School of Business, Christian has volunteered with the Association of Aboriginal Commerce Students. He mentors other students and participates in community outreach projects and fundraisers.

He plans to pursue a master’s degree in business administration and own or manage a business.

April Wilson – Business – Personal Achievement Senior

April Wilson is of Ojibwa descent from Peguis First Nation. She majors in logistics and supply chain management and will graduate with a bachelor of commerce (honours) from the Asper School of Business in 2017. She is part of ABEP.

April moved to Winnipeg to complete Grade 12. She’s worked a variety of jobs since moving, including as a cashier and at a call centre. April currently works at Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada.

She has represented the Asper School of Business at the Alberta Not-for-Profit Case Competition in 2016, and in October she co-emceed the 2016 Excellence in Aboriginal Business Leadership Awards. April is also a competitive dancer.

Creating Pathways to Indigenous Achievement is an institutional priority for the University of Manitoba, where over 2,000 First Nations, Métis and Inuit students are welcomed each year. Last spring, the graduation of over 350 Indigenous students was celebrated at the U of M’s 27th Annual Graduation Pow Wow.

Indigenous Achievement is a pillar of Front and Centre — the campaign for the University of Manitoba, with $65 million directed toward this priority. By collaborating with Indigenous communities and stakeholders, the University of Manitoba is striving to be a welcoming place that translates into success for Indigenous students and their families.

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