Jenna Burke
Why did you choose to go on to post-secondary study?
Working in a national Indigenous organization and having non-Indigenous managers who could not relate to the grassroots community or understand an Indigenous worldview [was] so frustrating. I felt my only option was to get a university degree and be the change that I wanted to see. I recognized that some doors would only be open to me if I had those letters after my name.
Why did you choose Â鶹´«Ã½ as part of your academic path?
My mom and aunts had all graduated from Â鶹´«Ã½ and that made it feel like a real possibility. I have also been connected with the Mawi'omi Aboriginal Student Centre since its inception and was looking forward to volunteering and being involved as a student.
What was your biggest learning moment/lesson?
Sitting in my first PEI Politics and Government class and realizing that there was absolutely no mention of Mi'kmaq people anywhere. I remember the lecture on the 1767 Land Lottery when all of our land was divided up into 67 lots and given away to wealthy British politicians and military men, leaving us with nothing. I remember sitting in that class and wondering how my ancestors must have felt hearing that news. I remember wanting to know why these silences were in academia and wondering how I could help make this space more accessible for Indigenous students.
What are you doing now?
I am in my first year of the Masters of Arts in Indigenous Governance program at the University of Victoria. It has been one of the best decisions of my life.
What advice would you give to others considering post secondary?
Make sure you learn about Indigenous research methods before you do research with an Indigenous community (Sean Wilson has a great book on this). Read books and articles by Indigenous scholars—they're each brilliant and share so many gifts in their writings. You can be creative in how you bring their work into your different classes through papers or discussions. And take advantage of all the supports on campus - through the Mawi'omi Centre and beyond. Don't wait until you're struggling or overwhelmed before asking for help. There are so many people cheering for your success!
