I grew up in Chase BC, a small town east of Kamloops. My earlier life consisted of walking down to the lake and swimming for hours, many sports, and time spent with family.
Thompson Rivers University was a place that for me was far enough away to gain some independence but close enough for me to still visit my family and friends regularly. In 2015 I began my studies with Sociology and Psychology. In 2017 I also began working for Eagles Nest Community and Aboriginal Services (ENCAAS). This position allowed me to work as a care provider for individuals in care. After graduating with my undergraduate degree in the midst of the 2020 pandemic I found myself quite lost on what I should be pursuing next.
I took a few independent study courses online about the environment and the effects of climate change for interest’s sake and took a management role with ENCAAS. This role guided me deeper into what it means to be an activist for a cause and an individual and taught me many difficult lessons. When I heard about the Masters of Human Rights and Social Justice Program I was so excited and reached out to some of my former professors for guidance. I applied and got into the program just at the same time as taking a role as the director of Human Resources and Training at ENCAAS. This position took me some time to learn as I do not have a business background but also helped me to gain a lot of perspective and depth into many of the injustices faced by children, youth, and individuals in care.
After starting the program I took a keen interest in the rights and treatment of pregnant persons within our medical systems both globally as also in Canada. It was interesting for me to take my years of experience with youth in care and flip it to understanding the intergenerational and cyclical traumas faced by mothers. Traumas of birth, postpartum anxiety and depression, addictions issues, homelessness, food insecurity and malnutrition, among others which then go on to affect their children. For my practicum I worked with “The Tree” a program that works with mothers and families who are dealing with crisis. This opportunity strengthened my interest in working with women, children, and families in times of vulnerability with the understanding that family should always come first as we should always aim to heal the whole circle where we can.
All photos used within this website were taken by the author unless the author is depicted within the photo in which case Eric Simmons captured the photo for the author.