When I started my post-secondary educational journey there was nothing in the K-12 curriculum that reflected who I am as an Indigenous person. I want to see change. When I started my post-secondary studies I wanted to be the next Wab Kinew; to inspire the next generation, and bring awareness to Indigenous history. I still want to be that person, and I believe that we can amply our voices by teaching inclusivity to future students.
In the fall of 2015 I decided to go back to school. I started taking a lot of political science and history classes, I wanted to be a politician. To bring change from within. All the classes I took were Indigenous driven, which is how I successfully achieved a certificate in Aboriginal Studies. I did this in tandem with completing my Bachelor of Arts degree at Thompson Rivers University, and now I have a recognized double concentrated studies in English and Anthropology.
I love to study literature, film, and culture.
I also love to write. Writing is a huge passion of mine, and I would love to share that passion with my students.
In my spare time I enjoy getting out on the land. It is where I feel most at home. I love to climb, and I love to disc golf. I am also an indoor plant enthusiast, and I love taking care of things. I like that plants do not show immediate successes or failures when it comes to how you care for them, you need to have faith that you are doing right by something until you see the tangible evidence of your success. I believe that to be true of children as well. They may have their moments, we all do, but despite that I believe that having faith that we are doing the right by them is an important skill to have. I also make dreamcatchers and casually bead.
I am a thankful father to a 12 year old daughter. We go on annual camping trips during the summer to Vancouver Island, and we love finding waterslide parks. I hope to take her abroad one of these days, probably to Ireland. It has been a great joy to me to help guide her through life. My biggest aspiration is to provide her with the life she deserves. As an Indigenous person I know that she will face the same challenges as I did when I was a child. I think that creating safe, inclusive spaces is the greatest asset that a school can provide for a child. That is something that I am adamant about taking forward with me in my journey.