Marissa Tom-Charlie is pursuing a career in justice and community service thanks to financial support.
Marissa (ḥayuxt̓in) Tom-Charlie wasn’t planning to go to university right after high school.
The Ucluelet Secondary School graduate hadn’t applied to any post-secondary schools when two of her teachers encouraged her to explore Vancouver Island University’s Criminology program.
Now, she’s set to begin the program this fall thanks to the help of a large scholarship from the Clayoquot Biosphere Trust. She split the $22,000 Central Region nuučaan̓uł Education Award with another student.
“I am beyond grateful,” she says. “I had not intended to attend university this year and hadn’t taken the opportunity to save or prepare as much as I could have. Receiving this grant has significantly reduced the stress on planning for this substantial change coming up.”
Marissa comes from the Tla-o-qui-aht and Ahousaht First Nations. Growing up on the west coast of Vancouver Island in a close-knit family has shaped the values she brings with her to VIU.
“Community is a big part of my life,” she says. “It has taught me to value kindness and respect and how to appreciate support around me.”
Marissa originally planned to live with her older brother and his partner when she moved to Nanaimo. Instead, she decided to live in VIU Student Housing.
“Living in dorms I will be able to feel like more of my own person and be able to grow by myself for myself,” she says. “I am grateful to be going to a school closer to home and to study something I’m really interested in.”
She is looking forward to meeting new people, becoming part of campus life and taking part in opportunities beyond the classroom.
“I hope to immerse myself in the experience through people and challenges and to come out of first year feeling like I did it right,” she says.
Marissa already has an idea of where she wants her education to take her. She hopes to continue her studies in Canadian Common Law and Indigenous legal orders. Her long-term goal is to work with the BC First Nations Justice Council.
Removing barriers for students in need
VIU is committed to supporting students like Marissa achieve their dreams through the Ripples of Change fundraising campaign. The campaign aims to raise $2 million to increase the number and amount of scholarships, awards and bursaries given out to students in financial need.
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