Indigenous students and alumni realizing the benefits of mentorship program

trevor.kenney — Thu, 20 Jun 2024 20:14:55 +0000

The Dhillon School of Business Scotiabank Mentors Program achieved a significant milestone recently when it celebrated 10 years of making a difference in the lives of Indigenous students and alumni.

“There's something truly special about being able to play a role, however small, in someone else's journey of self-discovery and personal growth,” says mentor Aysha Partington (BA/BEd ’24), a 2024 Spring Convocation graduate who came to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge from Woodland Cree Nation.

Maria Livingston, left, and Aysha Partington.

“From the initial stages of building trust and rapport to the moments of breakthrough and achievement, every interaction with my mentees has been filled with mutual learning and growth. Their willingness to step out of their comfort zones, tackle obstacles head-on and embrace new opportunities has taught me the importance of courage, perseverance and the power of resilience.”

The program is part of ULethbridge’s Indigenous student support system and funded by Scotiabank and the MasterCard Foundation EleV Program. In its 10 years in existence, it has seen more than 45 mentors and 100 mentees benefit from its activities, and includes participation from Indigenous middle, high school and university students and alumni.

“After having the program run for so long, we’re now seeing the results of being consistent in its offering,” says Maria Livingston (BA '15), ULethbridge’s Indigenous Youth Mentorship Program coordinator. “I’d say that seeing the larger impact of how these smaller activities add up to bigger goals is the greatest success of the program. Supporting the mentees’ goals and encouraging them to reach their full potential is really what this program is all about.”

All program activities are free for mentors and mentees and include everything from beading, hand drum making and hoop dancing to pizza parties, bowling and axe throwing.

For Partington, joining the program was an easy decision, one she says was driven by a desire to be the mentor she never had.

“I saw it as an opportunity to provide the kind of support and guidance that I longed for growing up. By sharing my experiences, offering advice and serving as a role model, I hope to empower Indigenous youth to navigate similar challenges with resilience and pride in their cultural heritage,” she says.

“By investing in the next generation of leaders, thinkers and changemakers, the program ensures the continued growth and prosperity of the community for years to come. The relationships formed through mentorship extend far beyond the duration of the program, creating a ripple effect of positive influence that reverberates throughout the community.”

Livingston says the program’s achievements can, in large part, be attributed to the contributions and commitment of Rhonda Crow, the Indigenous Governance and Business Management (IGBM) program coordinator and Andrea Amelinckx, IGBM’s Area Chair.

“Rhonda’s and Andrea’s leadership and wisdom have been pivotal in making this program successful. It wouldn’t have been possible without their support.”

Moving forward in a good way, EleV Navigator Team given Blackfoot name

trevor.kenney — Tue, 10 May 2022 21:07:28 +0000

The EleV Navigator Team earned a significant honour Tuesday at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, helping set the stage for the important work they will soon begin in the Blackfoot communities of Kainai, Piikani and Siksika.

Seeking to set the paths of the EleV Navigators forward in “a good way”, Blackfoot Elders Francis First Charger and Cathy Hunt advised for the EleV Navigator Team to receive a Blackfoot name as a true honour to welcome them into their roles as community liaisons. On Tuesday, First Charger bestowed the name Iiksitawapa Akakatsiyiwa (Going All Out Society) on the EleV Navigator Team.

During the ceremony, First Charger described how they arrived upon the name and how impressed he was with the navigator team.

“When we talked with them, I could see they have a lot of enthusiasm, their hearts are in the right place, and they are a very diverse group. Now that the six of them are working together they are like a family. The name is hard to translate but when I look at this group, I see they have a lot of fire in them and I see them going all out.”

Shanda Webber, ULethbridge manager of strategic Indigenous learning initiatives, says the ceremony carries great significance in Blackfoot culture.

“Receiving a Blackfoot name is a great honour, and also bears a great responsibility,” says Webber. “Every name has a meaning. Every name has a story. And once bestowed that name, it is now the individual or group who carry that name to hold true to the meaning and story of the name. I know the navigator team will hold our new name in high regard and honour our role in community.”

The EleV Navigator Team receives its Blackfoot name.

Established in late 2019, EleV is an innovative partnership between the Blackfoot Confederacy, ULethbridge and the Mastercard Foundation established to create educational opportunities for Indigenous youth and bolster supports to ensure their success.

The EleV Navigator Team consists of six dedicated navigators, of which one education and one employment navigator is dedicated to each of the respective Blackfoot Communities of Kainai, Piikani and Siksika. The primary focus of the EleV Navigator Team is to enhance opportunities for authentic relationship building and provide in-community supportive services and communication to guide Indigenous learners along their education and career pathways.

“Grounded in our Indigenous teachings and ways of knowing, our navigator team understands that everyone in the community plays an important role in assisting youth to navigate their way to post-secondary and beyond,” adds Webber. “Navigators are the community liaisons, the advisors and co-creators who will be working with community to make sure their voices and priorities are heard. They will help forge a path where we can work together for the success of our students.”

The Tuesday naming ceremony featured an offer of prayers with pipe, followed by the giving of the Blackfoot name, a praise song from the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ’s Special Advisor to the President, Dr. Leroy Little Bear (BASc (BA) ’72, DASc ’04), and a celebratory feast.

Dr. Mike Mahon, ULethbridge president and vice-chancellor, says as we move out of the pandemic there is significant momentum behind the EleV partnership as it reengages with the Blackfoot communities.

“From the outset, EleV was designed to work in partnership with the Blackfoot Nations to ensure the program continues to meet the unique needs of Blackfoot youth and communities,” says Mahon. “The navigators play a crucial role in this process of relationship building and it’s exciting from my perspective to see this team beginning to fully immerse into community to assist students as they further their education. Their work is also supporting the creation of employment and economic development opportunities through the sharing of connections and resources with the Blackfoot Confederacy.”

The navigators will begin their work in the Blackfoot communities through a series of meet-and-greet sessions beginning next week and continuing into June, buoyed by a new name that aptly captures their significant place in the EleV program.

Upcoming Sessions include:

Meet the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge EleV Team
Building Community Connections within the Blackfoot Confederacy

Kainai Nation Event

Wednesday, May 18, 2022
5 p.m. (Doors open at 4:30)
Multi-Purpose Building

For more information, please contact:
Jill Chief Calf, jill.chiefcalf@uleth.ca or
Trent Frank, trent.frank@uleth.ca

Piikani Nation Event

Thursday, May 19, 2022
5 p.m. (Doors open at 4:30)
Piikani Secondary School

For more information, please contact:
Deserae Yellow Horn, d.yellowhorn@uleth.ca or
Verona White Cow, verona.whitecow@uleth.ca

Siksika Nation Event

Coming in June, details to be announced

For more information, please contact:
Leroy Wolf Collar, leroy.wolfcollar@uleth.ca
Ek-Kanakii Mekaisto, kanakii.mekaisto@uleth.ca

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