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Celebration Of Findings — Michif Makers

In this third and final celebration of the findings gathered during the Project Connect research project, three research assistants from the Michif Makers team explain both the positive and negative impacts the Professional Project Administrator program had on the lives of their fellow Métis students.

 

TEAM MICHIF MAKERS

 

Tracy Franklin

My name is Tracy Franklin, I am a proud Métis woman and Royal Roads Alumni. As a research assistant for Project Connect, I had the pleasure of gathering data from the 3rd Cohort of the Professional Project Administrator Program, my peers. My experience from not only an educational aspect of the PPA program but from the connection, on a deeper level, to the Métis culture has impacted me in such a positive way. During a time when I was experiencing a devastating loss and sense of disconnect, the program, my peers, and all the educational and cultural connections healed a part of my soul and filled a space that needed to be filled. Jo-Ina was key in my journey as the cultural connection was unexpected, and for me, was much needed.

My contributions to Project Connect, interviewing, coding, and gathering data from my peers will allow others to benefit from our journey and encourage the connection of our Métis community members through the shared experience of learning in such a unique and dynamic program. I am grateful to have been given the opportunity to take part in the program as well as give back through exploring the research assistant opportunity.

Aimee Rawson

Hello, my name is Aimee Rawson. I am a proud Métis woman, born in Winnipeg where I had the opportunity to experience the culture and raised in BC where I felt like I lost it. As a recent graduate of the PPA program, I am grateful for the skills this program offers, along with the opportunity to connect to our Métis roots.

I am honoured to have been selected as a Research Assistant for Project Connect, where I interviewed, transcribed, and coded the experiences of my peers. Thank you to the interviewees for sharing their stories, I then had the opportunity to weave together these stories to gain an understanding of the impacts of the PPA Program. I am grateful to have attended such a thoughtful program and hope our research allows for more programs aimed at empowering the Métis people.

Sheila Rea

Sheila is a Métis with family roots in Batoche, Saskatchewan. First known family name; La Vallee.

Sheila spent most of her childhood in Alberta where her extended family farmed north of Westlock. She moved to BC and has spent her adult years in various places, and now resides in Nanaimo on Vancouver Island. She is a mother and wife with deep love and gratitude for her family.

Sheila is proud of her past work experience as a project coordinator and manager in the Advertising industry in Vancouver, and as an owner/operator of an Espresso Bar and Bistro in Salmon Arm. After taking time off from work to devote to her family, Sheila has recently graduated from the Professional Project Administration program at RRU. She has learned new skills for project management including a newfound appreciation of her Métis culture and Indigenous ways of organizing society through Collective Leadership. Sheila has been a political activist for the past few years and is excited to promote collective leadership, and the values of collective intelligence in politics, organizations, and community.