For 25-year-old Shanda Venier, it started with a thesis paper titled “What is ‘Indian’ anyway?”
After hours of research, countless interviews, and a lot of digging, she got her answer, and more.
The answer carried something else, something vital: her identity. Seven years later, that identity has an active place in her life, and has given her a meaningful career at Lethbridge College, helping others to find their own.
Venier, the college’s aboriginal liaison and academic advisor, began her journey at the University of Lethbridge with a major in anthropology and a minor in Native American studies. Venier, of Métis descent, completed her degree with “great distinction” in 2005 and knew she wanted to continue working in the aboriginal community.
“I was struggling with some of the issues of loss of identity as my dad was adopted,” says Venier. “Being that my issues were apparent with so many other Métis, First Nation and Inuit students, I started doing research at the university and it just carried on throughout my occupational career.”
Her career at Lethbridge College is a reflection of the institution’s commitment to First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) learners and partners. Located in the heart of Blackfoot country, the college recognizes the rich heritage and culture of FNMI students while acknowledging some of the challenges they can face in pursuing a post-secondary education.
FNMI youth form one of the fastest growing demographic groups in Canada. Meeting the challenges they can face head-on to provide an outstanding college experience is a commitment for Lethbridge College.
The transition from the reserve to campus life can involve some complex issues. The college is helping by providing aboriginal career and guidance counselors. Other on-campus services and culture connections include the Piita Pawanii Learning Society and the First Nations Club, one of the largest clubs at the college.
Support for FNMI learners took a big step forward in 2007 when the college partnered with the RBC Foundation, which made a $250,000 investment, to create the FNMI Transition Program. The program is designed to provide participants with a $3,000 scholarship to assist with finances while offering courses that ease the transition to college and help students experience greater success in their studies.
As aboriginal liaison and academic advisor, Venier’s position is a key to the success of the college’s plans to help FNMI learners. Her work is a major facet of the support system in place to assist students.
Her dedication to helping students recently caught the attention of the Métis Nation of Alberta, which chose her as the 2008 Alberta Aboriginal Youth Achievement Award recipient in the category of Senior Career Advancement.
The work of Venier and other FNMI support staff are putting into practice Lethbridge College’s philosophy of openness and diversity, and its determination to serve and support all its learners.
Last year, Venier was presented with another intriguing venture.
“I was given the opportunity to pioneer something exciting that I’m passionate about – to be the aboriginal academic advisor, and so far it’s going extremely well. Not only did I become the first aboriginal academic advisor at Lethbridge College, but it also brought forth the amalgamation of all Recruitment and Advising Student Services as one entity.”
These two aspects of the job keep Venier busy; every day is different.
Venier explains the transition from a rural to an urban environment can be difficult for many students due to a move away from family support systems and the challenge of cultural acceptance.
“There are some basic concepts that students struggle with,” says Venier. “In some situations, they have to face cultural differences they may not be prepared to handle.”
Apart from that, she says the new experience can be difficult because strong family ties are stretched by the distance from home.
“Just like anyone else, family is very close to the heart of most individuals, especially if you’re growing up on the reserve, and you’re living with multigenerational families. So it’s hard to balance both lifestyles; students are continuously traveling back and forth.”
As Lethbridge College’s aboriginal liaison, Venier also takes her skills on the road visiting different schools and reserves to show people how much the college has invested in creating an environment that is warm and welcoming to students. When she makes trips like these, she can see anywhere from five to 1,000 students, depending on the setting. Venier says she gets an overwhelming response, and it helps her to build strong connections for Lethbridge College within the aboriginal community.
“For about five years I have been developing key relationships,” says Venier. “They recognize my face, and they know I’m here to help them. So I get a lot of feedback within the community and southern Alberta.
“If I return to an annual event I attended on a previous visit, numerous students remember me from the first time. This ongoing relationship-building is imperative in helping individuals strive and attain their goals for postsecondary education.”
The positive impact Venier is having shows in some of the feedback the college receives.
For Denise Peterson, principal for Sequoia Outreach School in Gleichen, Alta., Venier’s efforts are making a difference to students.
“Our career counsellor, Linda Jensen, and our students, have high praise for Shanda. . . . Her understanding and sensitivity to the barriers faced by First Nations youth is comprehensive and adds considerably to her effectiveness. I have personally attended her presentations and I understand why my students find her so engaging,” Peterson says.
Peterson says when her students speak of their experience after visiting Lethbridge College, they say they can picture themselves attending the campus.
“In my experience this solidifies their goals and has significant impact on the next decisions they will make with regards to their academic future.”
Venier says the best part of her job is working and interacting with people. She explains she not only wants to be there for students as an advisor, but also as a friend.
“I have quite a few students who pop in just to say hi and let me know how their day is going,” she says. “Lots of students get stressed at the end of the semester, so even though I’m not a certified personal counselor, I can lend them an ear just as a friend, and talk to them about the challenges of everyday life.”
Venier says she loves her job, and could not picture doing anything else.
“I would love to stay at the college as long as they need me,” she says. “I want to continue to build strong relationships with the First Nations, Métis and Inuit population and increase opportunities for all. If I make a difference and put a simple smile on someone’s face, that just makes me feel warm inside and lets me know that I have had a positive impact on someone’s day.”
