Genevier Sullivan Memorial Bursaries - Words from the Recipients for Current and Former Youth in Care
Congratulations to 5 Indigenous Former Youth in Care who are going to do amazing things for this world!!!
Each of these individuals will receive a $1,000 bursary towards achieving their educational goals. These bursaries are in honour of the late, great Genevier Sullivan, who is likely up in a cloud raising a glass of cheap wine to herself as I type this! Thank you to Gen for her inspiration and perseverance in this world. I’m sure you are up there making people laugh so hard they pee their pants!
We asked as part of the application process for 200-500 “Words of Encouragement” Message – directed at current youth in care, who may be struggling to identify or reach for their career goals. Here are the wise words of our Bursary Recipients:
Wise Words from a Quw’utsun Former Youth in Care:
To the youth who are going through hard times, who are on a path where you may feel alone; I am here to tell you that you are never alone. Growing up as a person who has been in and out of foster care because of the choices that my parents made due to their own traumas, I can say that it gets better. I have been through so much that I am still, to this day, working on the trauma. It gets better, and the key thing that gets you through, is constantly working on yourself and never stopping. Being in foster care growing up and going from home to home made it hard to settle, made it hard for me to break out of my own shell and constantly just shelter myself and made me want to just stay quiet but now I can say that I am no longer the quiet person. Having been through foster care has made me strive more than ever. I had a goal that I would break the cycle of the trauma my family has been through. I have broken many cycles already, I was the first in my family to graduate high school, and now I am the first in my family to go to university. My motivation has always been my family, and also future generations. I would never want future generations to go through what I have been through, and now I am here to prove that we can do it. I am here to prove that we can break the cycle of intergenerational trauma. Set a goal, and strive for that goal. No matter how long it will take, even doing the smallest things that may seem big to you; just do it. Be proud of the little things, it is what keeps you going. I am still learning, and it takes time but we need to just take the time to think of how far we have come and how strong we are. It may be hard to break out of your shell, but you can do it because you are strong. There is nothing that can stop you once you have that goal, once you have that motivation. Reach out to people; ask for help, that is how I made it through high school and now university because I needed that support. Always work on yourself, and you will blossom.
Wise Words from a Wet’suwet’en Former Youth in Care
Dini ze’, tsako ze’, sky ze’ - [Personal identifiers are removed ] - As an indigenous student, who is also part of the former youth in care community, I hold and make time to reflect, be aware, and heal. While I was a youth in care, at the age of 16, I was able to reconnect and learn my cultural ways of life as a wet’sewet’en member. In addition, I was able to attend University at the age of 18. I understand it may seem unrealistic or even overwhelming to come to post-secondary. Finding what you want to learn to start your academic career can be daunting. I am here to let you know, even outside the youth in care community, many university students come to campus without knowing their end goals. It is a common occurrence. Starting is the most difficult part. Not the first foot on campus, but instead the first click for submitting the online application to school. There are a lot of emotions and stigma youth in care must overcome. However, we are worthy of an education no matter the path we are put on or the circumstances we may find ourselves in. My most important recommendation when applying for schools is to look at the indigenous communities that are within the university. Post-secondary is a great life experience. However, it has its challenges. Having a supportive and safe community will allow one to excel and keep pursuing their studies. One of my personal reasons for choosing Thompson Rivers University was due to the amount of support they showed in caring for indigenous students. After my three years of study up until this point, they uphold themselves true. Having this community has played a positive role in both my personal and academic well-being. To those who are thinking of pursuing education in college or university, I wish you all well. Remember that regardless of any aspect of life, youth in care are capable and supported in the pursuit of their academic careers.
Wise Words from a Penelakut Former Youth in Care
At times you’ll be tired, burnt out, and in need of a beak. Take that break but keep going. Don’t let the negative words of others stop you from achieving your goals. Don’t be afraid to reach out, ask for help, and be vulnerable. Be open and honest, be empathetic and judgement-free. Actively listen to others, ask questions, and don’t be afraid to speak out. Go outside- smell the air, feel the grass on your feet. Feel the moss on the trees and the wind in your hair. Thank the earth. Watch and listen the water flow, feel it’s coldness against your skin. Smell the cedar. Talk with elders. Educate others. Support and uplift your community and its members. Love your neighbour’s. Spend time with your family, friends, and loved ones. You may feel uncomfortable, alone, or out of place. Never forget you are loved, have support, and are a valuable part of this earth. You will learn so much more than just the courses you are in. You will contemplate life, society, yourself, and your relationships. You will see things from a different perspective, have your mind opened and activated to create change and make a difference. It will give you the skills, encouragement, and confidence to go forward in life and future careers. You will feel a sense of accomplishment, pride, and self-love. You will change, for the greater.
Wise Words from a Musqueam Former Youth in Care
One thing I could leave for encouragement is never stop chasing your dreams and fighting for what you love. Unfortunately as Indigenous People in the last few centuries we have endured many trauma’s, injustices, cultural genocide, and assimilation but where we can find healing is in those areas of hurt and sorrow is rooting back to love. Love for ourselves, our community, our culture, and our future. Everyday that we continue to get up and even do the bare minimum is something, we are still here. Every day looking at what we have and being grateful but not settling and getting too comfortable with it because we deserve the best and sometimes life doesn’t deal us the cards to get that easy, although that doesn’t mean it won’t happen. To add on, not conforming to what society says should make you happy in your career, school, and life journey. You have to find what in your life makes you genuinely happy and feeds the child within who may have been lost in the years. At the end of the day it’s just you and hopefully doing what you love. The more we love ourselves and keep fighting, that is one thing we are doing that will make our ancestors proud. Do not forget we are strong, resilient, and Indigenous regardless of your size, colour, and how much you know about our culture no one is able to strip your Indigeneity off of you. As expressed at the beginning, all I encourage youth who are in care or feel out of place do not forget to love and fight for your dreams!
Wise Words from a Hazelton Former Youth in Care
This essay is for all the former youth in care struggling to identify their career fields or goals, you are not alone! My name is XXXX, and I am hoping by end of reading this I can give you a little relief of the anxiety, I know we all go through when diving back into the whole frightening process of trying to figure out where we would like to go in life. Now it can be stressful trying to decide what would best suit you career wise and the steps to take to achieve these goals but remember they are all attainable as long as you put in the work! Whether that is when you age out at nineteen, or like me later in life age twenty-six. Figuring out your own career path is never easy, from money to commitment it is all a lot of hard work, but I was on a youth agreement for approximately three years, and the support I received and still receive from being in care, I am extremely grateful for. I would have never had a lot of the opportunities I have been given, if I was never put on a youth agreement. Wouldn’t be the person I am today and quite frankly I don’t know if I would be here writing this composition. The funding and things that are offered at no cost to us youth are amazing. It really do give us the chance to be the best humans we can be! Dream big always! I hope I could give a few words of positivity and encouragement for any youth struggling with their career paths or goals, remember you’re not alone!
