Seekers and storytellers : aboriginal role models share their career journeys

68 Pages·2002·10.4 MB·English

by  Alberta. Alberta Human Resources and Employment

Seekers & S torytellers
Aboriginal Role Models Share Their Career Journeys
— O ur legacy... (
the people
& w orkplace Alberta's Future
department
This book is for Aboriginal youth. In it, p eople from the Aboriginal community share their career stories.
The book also helps you to connect with resources that can assist you with your own career planning.
It will help you to:
• explore life-long learning strategies
• understand how personal skills and attitudes influence life and work-related success
• understand how career development is a continuous process with a series of choices
• explore how the role models’ stories can be a source of information for your own future planning
• understand how volunteering is a p roactive personal development and job search strategy
• i dentify information resources helpful for your own career, learning and employment planning.
For copyright information contact
Alberta Human Resources and Employment
People, Skills and Workplace Resources
6th Floor, 9940 - 106 Street
Edmonton, AB T5K 2V1
Telephone [phone] Fax [phone]
E-mail [email protected]
For additional copies please contact
Learning Resources Centre
12360 - 142 Street
Edmonton, AB T5L4X9
Telephone (780) 427-5775
Fax [phone]
Internet www. alis . g o v. ab . c a/ careershop
Catalogue Item #457491
This information was accurate, to the best of our knowledge, at the time of printing. Labour market information
and educational programs are subject to change, and you are encouraged to confirm with additional sources of
information when making career, education and employment decisions.
ISBN 0-7785-0499-9
© 2 002, Government of Alberta, Human Resources and Employment
This material may be used, reproduced, stored or transmitted for non-commercial purposes. However, Crown
copyright is to be acknowledged. It is not to be used, reproduced, stored or transmitted for commercial purposes
without written permission from the Government of Alberta, Human Resources and Employment. This book is not
for resale unless licensed with Government of Alberta, Human Resources and Employment.
03/02 - 5 0M
Table of Contents
Introduction 1
Believe in y ourself 3
Follow your heart 11
Focus on the journey 18
Change is c onstant 25
Be an ally 32
Stay learning 42
Resources 53
Selection Committee members 54
Production Consultants 56
For more information and referrals to Alberta Human Resources and Employment
career programs and services, please call the Career Information Hotline at 1-800-661-3753.
Acknowledgements
Interprovincial Association on Native Employment Inc. Teachers and counsellors, we hope that this book helps
(Alberta Chapter) you assist your Aboriginal students as they grapple with
life’s choices, many of which will impact on the work
Dear Students, Parents, Teachers and Counsellors: that you do in schools and post-secondary institutions.
The Interprovincial Association on Native Employment The board of directors for IANE Alberta has worked
Inc. (IANE), Alberta Chapter, is p leased to provide this approximately four years to produce this book. The
role model book. IANE is an information sharing book would not have been possible without the
involvement of Alberta Human Resources and
network for Aboriginal and non- Aboriginal people
interested in promoting and supporting training and Employment (AHRE). Jennifer Bametson from AH RE
development initiatives that bring Aboriginal people has ably and patiently guided us through the process of
closer to employment. IANE, Alberta Chapter, and the creating this resource.
Career and Workplace Resources branch of Alberta
Human Resources and Employment, along with We also thank Children’s Services for their contribution.
The board of directors would also like to extend our
Children’s Services, have partnered to develop this role
model book. The objectives of this project are: sincere thanks and gratitude to Elders Alvena Strasbourg
• to create a p rint resource for Aboriginal youth and Hank Cunningham, along with Jennifer Chong, who
that is inspiring, motivating and informative reviewed all nominations and made final selection
recommendations to the board.
• to recognize and promote positive role models
in the Alberta Aboriginal community, and
• to direct youth to information and resources that
will help them with their own career, learning
and employment planning.
Students, our wish for you as you use this resource, is
that it will help you make decisions about your life’s
journey. We hope that you find inspiration,
encouragement and support in these pages.
Parents, we hope that you are able to see the benefit of
this book for your young people. We know that you,
like all parents, wish only the best for your children.
Introduction
Who am I? What At some point in
do I w ant out of
our journey, we will
life? What do I all struggle with our
really want to do? identity, wondering
And can I r eally do what our strengths
it? These are
are, what our talents
questions we all are, and where we
excel. As many
struggle with.
However, Aboriginal youth
Aboriginal youth
have a unique peudruscuaet i otnh e iirn a
mainstream setting,
battle, as a d istinct
group in search of the challenge to
those answers. It maintain
self-identity
doesn’t matter if
you are from the
presents itself.
city, or from the
cultural identity,
country, a small Being true to one’s
community or a traditions, beliefs
large community. It and values requires
skillful balance.
doesn’t matter if
Searching for
you are Metis, First
Nations, or Inuit;
all are faced with ydiofufrisceullft qius e as t, but
the same questions. finding yourself,
and learning about
For thousands of the beauty that the
years, Aboriginal culture and Creator gave to you alone, strengthens your connections
history has been passed on from generation to to all other beings. By sharing life stories and the joys,
generation through story telling. Not only has this oral disappointments, failures and the challenges
tradition preserved the rich Aboriginal heritage of experienced by others you can be inspired to pursue
Alberta, it also connects us. By sharing our stories we your own goals and dreams.
develop a closer bond. It is that powerful bond that
draws us closer to the creation around us and in turn The following stories are about real people, where they
helps us maintain our cultural identity and reach our are at in their lives today and where they have come
full potential. This book was written in the spirit of from. Regardless of where their personal journeys take
such story telling. them in the future, their messages will still hold true.
They have shared their stories to encourage you to take
that step and help you begin a story of your own.
Seekers and Storytellers l
2002, Government of Alberta, Human Resources and Employment
Having a story of your own to tell, requires action. This book has been divided into these six themes:
First, you need to take an active role to believe in believe in yourself, follow your heart, focus on the
yourself. In a society driven by competition, your journey, change is constant, be an ally and stay
learning. The storytellers are people who sought out
ability to say, "I can" and your will to really believe
information and help to reach their goals. A r esource
that you "can" must be stronger than anybody who
has been provided at the end of each story to encourage
tells you that you "can’t". Once you understand that
you can be whatever you want, you have to follow you to reach out for assistance and find out how to
your heart, and chase after your dreams. Now that begin your journey. To find out how to obtain the
your goals are in sight, you are free to focus on the resources, check the Resource section at the end of the
journey. book.
In traditional Aboriginal style, the following
The journey is what it’s all about. While it is the
means to reach your destination, the journey is also stories have been prepared for you - A boriginal youth.
where the storyteller gets his/her story. The journey is The storytellers are people who are just like you.
where you discover your strengths, develop the talents Aboriginal people from Alberta, who are in search of
you never knew you had, and learn from the themselves, in search of their own personal achievement
challenges you overcome. Understanding that change and success. They have overcome adversities of many
is constant and having the courage to embrace the kinds and have discovered that it is the challenges that
change, like we embrace the changing seasons, works give them the drive to survive. Come, join the circle,
out to our advantage. The process continues when and listen to their stories.
you are able to be an ally for others and help them to
achieve their goals. In turn you gain allies who are
interested in seeing you succeed in reaching your full
potential. Lastly, you are encouraged to stay
learning, so that along this journey you will find the
answers to the questions: Who am I? What do I w ant
out of life? What do I r eally want to do? And can I
really do it?
2 Seekers and Storytellers © 2 002, Government of Alberta, Human Resources and Employment
Belieue in y ourself
One of the toughest things to do sometimes is to believe in yourself -
especially if y ou feel like you don’t have any support.
In general we tend to live up to our own expectations. If y ou believe
you can, you’ll find a way to reach your goal and won’t be deterred by
obstacles in your path. If y ou think you can’t, those same obstacles
might just convince you that it isn’t worth trying anyway.
The key is having a p ositive attitude about yourself and your abilities
and surrounding yourself with people who will support you.
In the next few pages you’ll meet some people who will share their
strategies to believe in yourself. Many of the people in the following
stories have overcome difficult challenges. Some struggled to find their
cultural identity. Others overcame fears that stood in the way of their
success. Many juggled caring for their families while working or
attending school. They have learned to surround themselves with
positive people and to focus on the good in themselves — accepting
their weaknesses and choosing to strengthen them.
© 2 002, Government of Alberta, Human Resources and Employment Seekers and Storytellers 3
the busy wife and mother of three sons enjoys her work,
Rita knows self-employment sounds scary. "But you
she also volunteers with the Rocky Mountain Youth
just have to trust your instincts and do it".
Society and Rocky First Scout Program as a l eader.
After dropping out of high school, Rita earned her Rita plans to continue to work in the career
General Educational Development (GED) diploma development field in youth programming.
when she was 22. In 1994, she received college
certificates in computer applications and office
administration. She now runs her own business in
Rocky Mountain House. To find out if self-employment is for you, take a l ook
at the following resource.
"It was very scary to make the decision to become
self-employed," says Rita. "But I d id it and I h ave Self-Employment: Is it f or me? has a variety of work
learned to believe in myself." sheets and checklists to find out if self-employment is
for you. Below is a l ist of characteristics of successful
Rita has one employee and works on a y early entrepreneurs. Does this sound like you?
contract with the Human Resources Development
Canada as a w ell as a y early contract with Alberta Successful entrepreneurs are:
• innovative
Human Resources and Employment managing the
• educated
Labour Market Information Centre in Rocky Mountain
House. This Metis woman assists youth and • competitive
Aboriginal people seeking information on finding a j ob • willing to take calculated risks
and career planning. She also helps people with
• pro-active
• self-confident
questions about Employment Insurance.
• healthy
• willing to work long hours
"I really like being self-employed," says Rita. While
4 Seekers and Storytellers © 2 002, Government of Alberta, Human Resources and Employment
HHUJhitford
Dennis is a respected and active member of the Calgary his work with the Family Ties Project. The project
Aboriginal community. He is of Cree-Metis heritage. aims at keeping Aboriginal kids, who are in the care of
A t raditional dancer, Dennis follows the pow-wow trail child protection services, connected with their cultural
heritage.
every summer with his family.
Dennis is the manager at Native Multi-Service Team, "The project gives the kids the chance to go home and
Calgary Rocky View Child and Family Services
visit in their own communities," says Dennis. "They
maintain ties with their families and in many cases
Regional Authority and he loves what he does. "I
manage a staff of about 64 people and we provide child
return to their place of origin with family members."
protection services for Aboriginal families," says
Dennis. "We work hard to ensure that children are free While Dennis stays busy supporting his community
with his work, he focuses on encouraging youth
from abuse or neglect." He adds that having a l ot of
capable and dedicated staff makes his job a l ot easier. whenever he can. For youth in general, and
particularly for those who may be experiencing
Dennis has worked in the social work field for the last
difficulty, "I would like to tell them to believe in
number of years. He studied social work at the
themselves," says Dennis. "There are supports
University of Calgary and received his Masters Degree available to them and people who are willing to assist
in 1994. Along with his active support of Aboriginal
them. They just need to reach out and to ask for help."
families, Dennis also is closely involved in Aboriginal
community events and organizations. He was a member
of the Youth Justice Committee from 1999 to 2001; The following resource has tips about the
a member of the Calgary Aboriginal Urban Affairs personal characteristics of successful workers.
Organization for two three-year terms, and has been The Workability Handbook has checklists about
active with the Wandering Spirit Dance Class positive personality characteristics that are
since 1998. necessary to succeed in your work. For example,
you know you have integrity and are
honest when you:
"I’m involved with a n umber of things in the
community," says Dennis. "I j ust started a course
(certificate program) that may enable me to provide • are truthful and straightforward
therapy combining conventional and traditional Native • know the set of values that you want to live by
methods." • live up to your values, and
• express your concerns when you feel something
Among his many endeavors, Dennis is very proud of might be dishonest.
2002, Government of Alberta, Human Resources and Employment Seekers and Storytellers 5
Eagle
Joely has a p assion for science and technology. First In addition to her academic endeavors, Joely is very
she attended the Architectural Engineering Technology active in extra curricular activities. Joely has served as
Program at the Saskatchewan Institute of Applied the President of the First Nations Student Association
Science and Technology in Moose Jaw, Sask. Then she of the University of Calgary and is currently the Vice
attained a B achelor of Science in Mathematics in 1995 President of Events. She also volunteers her time with
from the Saskatchewan Indian Federated College in the Calgary Aboriginal Arts Awareness Society having
Regina, Sask. After that Joely worked in her home held the position of board member in the past. Further,
community for three years as a B and Councillor. And she is a member of the Society for the Advancement of
now Joely is working to attain a B achelor of Science in Chicanos and Native Americans in Science and
Civil Engineering at the University of Calgary. Once participates as a j udge in the Annual Treaty 7
Joely has completed her studies she hopes to become a Science Fair.
project manager in the field of engineering.
"I believe everyone has the ability to succeed in
"I j ust like the challenge of science and technology," whatever they want to do," says Joely. "You do have to
surround yourself with successful people though,
says Joely. "The first two years were tough. I h ad been
out of school for a couple of years so it took some because you end up absorbing their success too. So
make that connection with people, look for those
adjusting to get back into the swing of things."
Joely gets her motivation and strength from her family.
"My mother is always there to encourage me," says sIfu py poour’trse. " a b usy mom in school or working there are
Joely. "She is there for me no matter what happens. some great suggestions in Woman Today, Edition 1 -
Whenever I n eed her, she is supportive. Just knowing Success on our Own Terms. It has some good tips
about surviving the A.M. and P.M. rush hours. Here
she is there keeps me going."
are a f ew.
While being a f ull-time student, Joely is also a single
parent of four children. Although she finds some days • Start your morning the night before. Make
difficult, she stays focused regardless of the sure the kids have finished their homework
obstacles she must overcome. and put it in their school bag.
• Get up 15 to 30 minutes before your family.
"On those tough days I j ust drag myself out of bed," • Allow your older children to wake themselves
says Joely. "I j ust jump in the shower and remember up with an alarm clock.
that if I m iss school then the kids end up missing • Make sure you have a b ack-up plan in case
school and I c an’t let any of us get behind." your child, your babysitter or you are sick.
6 Seekers and Storytellers © 2 002, Government of Alberta, Human Resources and Employment