Skip to main content
SFU Alumni

malcolm smiling near a tent
Stay true to your vision of what you want to make with your life. Make each day an opportunity to take a step towards it.

Nation

Mattagami First Nation

Where did you grow up?

Sundridge, Ontario. Population 700

What were some of the challenges you faced growing up?

I was the only Aboriginal student in my class. I found out when I was 5 that I was adopted. My adopted family was non-Aboriginal. Later in life I learned I was a part of the 60’s scoop. A government initiated process of removing Aboriginal children from their families and adopting them into non-Aboriginal families

When you were young, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I loved hockey and so I dreamed of starring in the NHL!

When did you start thinking about attending post-secondary?

Grade 11

What were some of the reasons you decided to further your education?

I decided to pursue a career in outdoor education

Write a Brief Timeline of Your Schooling Experience

Graduated with a Recreation Management Diploma

Completed a 95 day Wilderness Instructors Course with the Colorado Outward Bound School. This course included four sections: mountaineering, white water rafting, rock climbing and canyoneering at locations throughout the southwest of the USA.

Share our Experience of Finding Funding

Even though I grew up off the reserve and in an adopted family, I applied for my Native Status card when I was 21. My reserve, the Mattagami First Nation has been very supportive to me in pursuing my post secondary academics. They also assisted me in attending the Colorado Outward Bound School.

Share a Time When You Wanted to Quit

I enjoy pushing myself through outdoor adventure based pursuits, especially rock climbing. There are many times climbing where the mind is telling you to quit because the climb is too hard. I enjoy this moment of challenge as I know it is an opportunity to breakthrough this mental barrier.

Share Your Proudest Moment

Being involved in raising my two daughters as much as possible. I was very proud this past June to witness my oldest daughter graduate high school

Where are you currently in respect to your education? 

I currently hold a diploma from College; however, I have just enrolled into University to acquire a degree. My mom received her Master’s at 52 and so I’m now 48 and it’s my turn to go back to school!

What did you do after you graduated your first degree?

After College, I spent the first few years guiding wilderness canoe trips in Northern Ontario. I have spent the majority of my career working with children and youth, facilitating outdoor adventure based education.

What has been your most important lesson returning to school?

School doesn’t end when you are young. It’s a lifelong pursuit of learning and acquiring knowledge

What advice do you have to offer other Indigenous students?  

Stay true to your vision of what you want to make with your life. Make each day an opportunity to take a step towards it.

What are your goals for the future?

I want to continue my work on creating a lasting and positive Aboriginal cultural presence in the TriCity region.

Beyond the Blog

SFU Alumni
visibility  110
Aug 11, 2015

You Might Like These... Indigenous SFU Community Stories, Professional Development, Life Experience, Personal Development, Career Exploration

Mike, author
Indigenous Stories: Mike, SFU Alumni

"I have no solid plans for the future and I love it...I know that every experience that I have had, every failed plan, was really an excellent mistake that gave me the skills I need to handle any situation that gets thrown my way in the future."  Read Mike's story of career exploration, and how to handle constant change.

william lindsay smiling
William Lindsay on Persistance

“Nothing in the world can take the place of Persistence”. Through my life’s experience I can certainly attest to the truthfulness of these words.I hope lessons for others can be found in them. Hence, “Press On” friends and make your own dreams a reality! Read more about William Lindsay's journey and how they overcame life challenges. 

rudy smiling
Rudy Riemer/Yumk | SFU Department of First Nations Studies and Archaeology

"I grew up in Squamish BC, learning from elders and knowledgeable community members about Squamish Nation culture.  Many of my fondest memories are walking to downtown with my grandpa, sitting at my grand uncles kitchen table and going up the river to fish. During these formative years I was always careful to listen to what they had to say." 

You Might Like These... Indigenous SFU Community Stories

Nathalie Sinclair working with young child
Early-Number Learning and Language Revitalization a Dynamite Combination

SFU mathematics education professor Nathalie Sinclair has been working with the Ojibwe and Nuu-chah-nulth First Nations to translate her early-numbers mathematics app into their languages.

FNSA Logo
First Nations Student Association at SFU Orienatation

The First Nations Student Association was part of the Orientation for the first time ever in the history of SFU this year a great step in the right direction for not only the FNSA but the SFU Orientation program as well.

Jordan Wapass, Capacity Development Initiatives Officer
Indigenous Stories: Jordan Wapass, Capacity Development Initiatives Officer

Professor Hunter, my family (Uncle Kelly, Mom and Grandparents) have and have always had great confidence in me. This is where my strength comes from. Like most youth/students (First Nations, Aboriginal, non-Aboriginal), there is a mixture of confusion, fear and excitement about what to do next.