ChronicleBack to school on the 29th

I saw my two parents proud of their academic careers and for me, it was a guarantee that I would follow in their footsteps.

The perfect child

In high school, I worked hard to get the best grades. Even in subjects I didn’t like, like math, I pressured myself to be perfect.

I take summer and evening classes so I can get my math 526 . I worked so hard to recognize my efforts, in correcting my final exam that would determine if I would pass or not, the teacher gave me the point I needed to pass the level.

All my life I have tried to fit into a mold. To return to the model I established for myself. I am the child all mothers will be proud of. I worked hard to get high marks and I was good. I haven’t had the famous teenage crisis.

I was working so hard that when I came to CEGEP, I was so tired. I was never able to finish my DEC. It didn’t matter how many times I tried again.

In addition, my end of the semester took place in conjunction with maple spring. An entire session was canceled due to student requests. I told myself that I would finish it in two weeks and at the same time start my first term at university.

The circumstances are extraordinary. This is an option offered to me. I am convinced I can do it easily. I was so close to my goal of going to college. I did well in evening and summer classes when I was in high school, so it was like a kid’s game.

But I hit the wall. A wall of fatigue, demotivation and depression. I immersed myself in my semester at CEGEP and in my first university courses.

I lost myself to find myself

Maybe ultimately, the academic world wasn’t made for me. This question had a big impact on me. Because until then, I was the hard -working Kijâtai who worked hard and was proud of his mother.

Who am I now?

For a few years, I worked in customer service to pay my bills. Years of experience that to this day I still appreciate. I learned a lot even when I wasn’t in the university environment. I learned about the people around me, the world around me and most of all, about myself.

However, I wanted to go back to school. This image of the perfect man is still etched in my mind. For me a successful life is someone with a high school diploma and a successful career with a happy family.

But, I quietly realize that this image is based on what the company itself has established.

It’s not me.

I began to realize that I could create my own image. At the same time I began to rediscover my father’s culture. Which is also us indeed. I reconnect with the Indigenous people in Montreal as well as with myself. Journalism: a vocation? I started speaking publicly about my reality that went along with many of us. I was exposed to the separation I had made for myself. Today is the first time I have fully reflected on my school career. A course I consider failed.

But, I am proud of the work I do. I rediscovered the spark that left me. I found myself.

Here I discovered my interest in journalism. I did my first internship at La Converse and I was hooked. But more importantly, I saw a real need within the media to broaden perspectives. I didn’t really recognize myself when I turned on the TV. I didn’t like watching the news when my mom put it on for dinner.

I didn’t identify myself in the media.

One day, I had the opportunity to speak to LCN about a rally in support of the Wet’suwet’en country. I was there and I wanted to share my experience and bring a native voice to the subject.

Immediately, the words used to describe the event did not express what I saw. We’re talking about a human barrage that barricaded downtown Montreal in 2 hours.

In my view, this is a peaceful gathering of people who want to show their support to those who are defending their rights.

Here I also noticed the importance of diversity of views in the media. Because it was a peaceful rally in my eyes and in the eyes of many, but it was also a human barrier in the eyes of other people.

Both are true.

The problem seems to be that there is only one perspective on what is being reported in the media.

So I began to discover what I consider my vocation today, journalism.

Aontaiontenrohwea hopeful scholarship

One day I came across an article announcing a new scholarship. The scholarship Aontaiontenrohwe*, (New window) a word Kanien’kéha meaning work together . It is intended for Aboriginals who wish to study journalism at UQAM.

Until then, college was a distant childhood dream. I am 29 years old. Let’s just say I haven’t reached the stage in my life that I envisioned when I was a kid.

The difference, however, is that I recognize myself now. I saw this scholarship as a new opportunity to pursue my passion. You don’t have to go to university to work in media, but I want to develop tools to give me the best opportunity in the industry.

I believed in myself. In what I have gained over the years.

I then applied for the journalism program at UQAM. I went through all the admissions steps and on the day of my interview I was very nervous.

I want it with my whole being. I didn’t want to go to college just to get to college. I already have a goal, a vocation. I have enough confidence in myself to apply.

I remember the wait was unbearable. But when I was accepted, I jumped at the chance. I would have gone back to school for something I wanted!

I then applied for the scholarship and felt very privileged to receive it as well.

Today, I am proud to say that I have finished my first year at university. I paddled a lot to get there.

But I did.

I can say that without this grant, which has shown that it is possible for someone like me to make room for myself in the academic and journalism milieu, I would never have started.

Going back to school was a challenge, but I would not have overcome it without the help of the professors at UQAM and the team at Espaces Indiens.

I am so proud of myself. Other people have to experience this feeling. There are two new scholarships for the upcoming fall semester at UQAM in the journalism program.

I’m not saying it’s easy to go back to school or enter into a commitment like that. It takes all the effort in the world sometimes to recognize our abilities.

But when you start to value yourself as a person, things get easier.

I hope as more and more people from different perspectives start filling our media to better represent our society.

And the stock market Aontaiontenrohwe is a great start for any Aboriginal person who wants to study journalism. We have many voices to listen to. mikwetc** to UQAM, La Converse, Indigenous Spaces and to everyone around me who believe in me and continue to support me. Most of all, mikwetc to my mother who keeps telling me that she is proud of me wherever I am in my life.

* This scholarship will be offered again this year. See details: https://www.apps.uqam.ca/Application/bourses/Bourses/DetailBourse.aspx?brs_id_bourse=9978

** Thanks for the Anishinaabe language.