What does community mean to you?
Community means belonging.
What communities are you apart of?
I am a part of the Indigenous women in business community, Winnipeg's urban Indigenous community, Aboriginal Youth Opportunities community, the Winnipeg community, the Asper School of Business community, and the Indigenous business community. Some of these definitely overlap! But I compartmentalize them all as separate. I probably forgot some.
Is there an opportunity to be apart of a community through your place of employment? Is it encouraged and promoted? If so, how do they co exist?
My job revolves around working with Indigenous communities across Canada, so yes 100%! My role gives me the autonomy to work with communities and determine how the relationship will look, in the best interests of the community.
What are you proud of?
I am proud that I know my boundaries, and that I listen to them.
What is something you could do differently within your community?
Lately I have been working on focussing on my personal well-being - physical and mental health. I burned out a few years ago and needed a reset. I think that happens a lot with community members; it's a cycle of "go-go-go>burn out>rest>go-go-go>burn out>rest" etc. I am working to balance a busy lifestyle, while also prioritizing my personal life.
What is the hardest decision you've had to make?
I put a lot of time, effort, and love into initiatives when I am a part of them. There have been a few times where initiatives I have been a part of have grown into toxic, unhealthy, or just generally non-positive situations and I decide to walk away. I think about my decision a lot before making it final, and ensure that there is nothing else I can do to remedy the situation. It's important to me to try actively everything I can to remedy and give it a real shot before making a final decision - because walking away is a last resort and I don't view things with a revolving door.
Who inspired you, who do you admire?
My grandmother, Mary Richard. 100%.
How do you stay motivated?
I'm motivated by having many goals, both academically, professionally, and personally. I always look at things long term and that is a natural way to identify goals - both short term and long term. I love keeping track of milestones.
What do you want to accomplish next?
Finish my Masters in Business at Queens University!
What is your biggest barrier?
Over-thinking.
In your dream world, how would your community look? Men would respect and honour women.
Comments