Lived Experiences of Work

Figuring out who you are and planning a career path can be challenging for Indigenous youth who do not feel connected to their culture. Cultural identity is an important foundation for confidence (Krieg, 2016), and a lack of confidence can keep Indigenous students from applying to graduate programs (Pidgeon, Archibald, & Hawkey, 2014). Joining the Waterloo Aboriginal Education Centre in January of 2017, Mikelle Caine has spent the last year exploring her career goals and her indigeneity as a Métis woman. Through story and personal narrative, Mikelle will share her lived experience, focusing on how working within an Indigenous centered workplace has been critical in building her confidence to apply to a graduate studies program. Special attention will be given to the importance of mentorship (Waitzkin, Yage, Parker, & Duran, 2006).