Get to know the ISC staff!

Kaylena comes from the Secwepemc, Gitxsan and Tsimshian nations. She is also an SFU alumnus. During her undergrad she spent a lot of time in the Indigenous Student Centre (ISC), calling it a home away from home. She joined the ISC team in Oct 2020 as the Coordinator, Indigenous Student Life. Since joining the ISC, Kaylena has worked alongside the ISC team to develop student support programs, services, events and workshops.

One such program was the Elders Program that Kaylena led virtually, re-vamping the Elders Payment Protocol to recognize the added energy it took for our Elders to join virtual events and record videos. She also created and led the virtual ISC Wellness Program for the Spring 2021 semester, maintaining holistic well-being support for our Indigenous students. Kaylena also sits on the First Peoples Gathering House Building Committee and the Co-Chair for the First Peoples Gathering House Stakeholders Committee in response to the FNSA’s Calls to Action. Her goal is to support Indigenous student success by ensuring they feel comfortable, safe and supported in their journey.

Kaylena furthered explained her role and also shared a little bit about her life with her family in her Staff Sunday post on the ISC Instagram.

“Hello! I feel very fortunate to have this little human keep me busy and focused during this crazy time. When I’m not in Zoom meetings or sending emails, I try to get us out of the house for walks and little adventures.

The time is usually spent playing hide and seek behind bushes and trees, stopping to look at spiderwebs and sharing excitement whenever a fire truck or airplane passes by. She also says hello and waves at so many people (my introverted side does not appreciate this, lol!) but I have noticed that some of the crabbiest looking people are so happy and friendly! Haha! She constantly teaches me and reminds me to enjoy the small everyday occurrences that happen in life. When I’m out by myself, I find that I get surges of excitement when I see something that my daughter would love and it brings me joy. What are some of the little things you see in your day-to-day life that ignites that surge of excitement or happiness?”

This introduction was originally posted on the ISC Instagram page on Feb 21, 2021.