Indigenous Perspectives from the Fields: Facing Structural and Systemic Barriers Together

A First Nations program coordinator and lecturer at a Canadian University shares their perspective on the field requiring new and unique ways to find solutions and common ground for what each individual youth faces. 

Coming from a similar background as the youth they work with, they empathize with the myriad of struggles, barriers, and systemic obstacles youth face every day. Growing up experiencing the same cycles and barriers, to then helping others navigate their way through, empowers community and further resilience. They emphasize that it is hard to watch students work their way through academia while continuing to face structural and systemic barriers in real time. 

This program coordinator has also noticed the effects of COVID-19 on the people they work with. They share that the COVID-19 pandemic led many down an insular path with forced distancing and isolation regulations. COVID-19 hurt people socially by limiting already limited resources for personal wellbeing. This person has found it difficult not to go out of their way to help the students, even if they do not have a personal connection. They wish there were more resources to support students and the unique issues they all face.

Their key takeaway: Listen before you speak. Don’t let the rules dictate to you how someone should be treated. Be adaptable and seek the best outcomes for those around you. When you think you went as a far as you can, take another step.