January 21, 2010 - 7:56am
When Fallon Crosby first came to Vancouver Island
University, her heart wasn’t in it. She left the Nanaimo campus after her first
year and returned to Haida Gwaii where she worked as a waitress in Queen
Charlotte City.
After a break of more than two years, she decided it was
time to resume her studies. On Jan. 26, the 27-year-old will receive her
Bachelor of Arts in First Nations Studies as she looks toward a career that
will improve the quality of life for First Nations people.
She has applied to work with the Hul'qumi'num Treaty Group which
represents a coalition that includes the Chemainus First Nation, Cowichan
Tribes, Halalt First Nation, Lake Cowichan First Nation, Lyackson First Nation
and Penelakut Tribe.
“I’d like to work for somebody who works for aboriginal
rights. It would have to be something like that, something I’m interested in
and passionate about.”
She may also further her education. “I want to make positive
changes. I’m torn between teaching and healing work such as counselling,”
Crosby said.
As she grew up on Haida Gwaii, Crosby’s family encouraged
her to pursue post-secondary education. It made sense on one level. As her
father put it, she was better off “pushing a pencil than a broom.”
But looking back, something was missing. “When I was in high
school, I wasn’t ready. You have to come when you are ready. Otherwise, you are
not really going to do that well.”
Crosby is glad that she chose VIU the first and second time
she decided to pursue her degree. It was a natural choice since her sister,
Rachel West, had graduated in early childhood education at the Nanaimo campus.
The size of the university also appealed to someone who grew up in a small
town.
“Nanaimo is not too large, nor too busy,” Crosby said. She
has also been impressed with the quality of education and support for First
Nations students at the university.
The high calibre of the teachers, the guidance of elders and
the companionship at the First Nations Gathering Centre have all helped her
meet the challenges throughout her four years at VIU. “You feel like you
develop your own little community in that program,” she said.
“Fallon was
always an engaged student with a sharp critical eye but at the same time
patient while considering the views and ideas of her peers,” said Keith D. Smith, chair of the
Department of First Nations Studies. “She was an asset and an inspiration to our entire First Nations Studies learning
community.”
Crosby was gratified to attend VIU where Assembly of First
Nations National Chief Shawn A-in-chut Atleo serves as chancellor.
“It’s encouraging. We need strong, culturally grounded
leaders. Somebody like that will stay on track,” she said.
While well aware of her Haida heritage, Crosby found her
studies at VIU provided a new perspective on the experiences of First Nations ancestors.
“Just learning about how our people were prior to contact
gives you a stronger sense of identity.”
She was impressed by seeing the relationship that aboriginal
people had with the land and what was lost as a result of various colonization
tactics. She has also found it useful to examine the injustice of residential
school abuse even though many survivors don’t like to talk about the pain in
their past.
“A lot of First
Nations people need to heal and talk about what happened. It’s important to recognize
that it was a violation against our human rights.”
More than 1,000 First Nations students are enrolled in programs
at VIU’s four campuses. For information on First Nations programs at VIU
contact First Nations Student Services by email fnss@viu.ca
or phone 250-740-6385 (Nanaimo), 250-746-3535 (Duncan), or 604-485-2878 (Powell
River).
Note:
Vancouver Island University will award baccalaureate degrees to 286 students at
the Port Theatre in Nanaimo Monday, Jan. 25 and Tuesday, Jan. 26. Convocation
ceremonies begin at 2 pm.
On Monday,
112 students will receive Education degrees. The following day, 174 students
will graduate from eight disciplines including Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of
Science, Bachelor of Nursing, Bachelor of Business Administration, Master of
Business Administration and Bachelor of Tourism Management.
The
graduating class includes 48 international students from 16 countries and 14
First Nations students from western Canada.
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For more information, contact Keith Smith, Ph.D., Chair,
Department of First Nations Studies
phone: (250) 753-3245 local 2167, email: keith.smith@viu.ca
Tags: In the Community
