Education Opens Doors
“One piece of advice I would give to Indigenous youth from my community would be to stay in school. Education opens so many doors and can help build confidence. With education, you can achieve personal and professional goals. Education is the key to change for Indigenous people.” - Diana James
We asked 2022 Kw’umut Lelum Indspire Award winner Diana James to share her story with us - about her experiences in school, what she wishes to learn, and what advice she might have for others as they consider their education journey.
My name is Diana James, and I am a member of Lyackson First Nation. My mom is Gwen Thomas and my dad is Darrin James. I would like to acknowledge that we are on the unceded territory of the Quw’utsun people. I am a full-time student at Vancouver Island University (VIU) and am thankful to learn and work in the beautiful Cowichan Valley.
What are you studying and how did you decide which program to take?
I am in my second year of the Bachelor of Education program at VIU. I chose education because I always wanted to be a teacher. I want to make a difference in others’ lives and be a positive role model in the community. I want to create a comfortable learning environment and make students feel comfortable with who they are. I want to be a dedicated teacher and bring Indigenous Knowledge into the classroom.
What did you want to be when you grew up?
I wanted to be a teacher. In 2019 I started upgrading to get into VIU’s Education program and enrolled in the Aboriginal Bridging University Program. I was able to do two upgrading classes and take two university classes at the same time. I started at Math 10 and completed Math 11 in 2021. I was also enrolled in a university English class, and this helped prepare me for future university classes. In September 2021 I was accepted into the Bachelor of Education program and have dedicated myself to my studies working hard in all the classes I take.
“My favourite part is having a consistent schedule and learning new things. I have taken English, Anthropology, and Indigenous Studies and they have all opened my mind to new ideas. By taking Indigenous Studies, I am learning about the history of our people, and this has opened my heart in ways I did not expect.”
Have you faced any challenges while at post-secondary and if so how have you worked through them?
The challenging part of school is the exams at the end of the semester. It can be challenging because it feels like a lot of pressure with all of them happening almost at the same time. I have worked through the challenges by learning to stay calm, have set times for studying, and take breaks in between. It is useful to stay organized and learn time management by studying for exams. Using a planner is important to me because it gives a visual of when assignments are due and how many days I have to complete them.
Who or what has been your biggest support?
My family. My mom and my sister are always there to encourage me to keep going. Family is the most important thing to me because they are there to support me. I am thankful to have my mom and my sister as my best friends. If I did not have my family, I would not be where I am today.
What is one piece of advice you would offer to either your younger self or Indigenous youth from your community?
Stay in school. Education opens so many doors and can help build confidence. With education, you can achieve personal and professional goals. Education is the key to success, and it is a powerful tool. Learning is a lifelong process that never ends, and it is never too late to go back to school. Education is the key to change for Indigenous people. Justice Murray Sinclair, chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, said, “Education got us into this mess and education will get us out of it.”
What is something you wish you knew before heading off to post-secondary education?
I wish I knew better time management. It takes time to write essays and finish assignments, and it is best to get them done right away. It is too easy to procrastinate, and it is not fun getting assignments done last minute. Learning time management can be useful to get tasks done in a timely manner.
“My goals for the future are to become a teacher and integrate Indigenous Knowledge into the classroom. I want to bring holistic learning to help connect students to the land and get outside of the classroom walls. I want Indigenous students to get as much education as they possibly can.”
What are your hopes, dreams, and goals for the future and what has the Kw’umut Lelum Indspire Award meant for your continued pursuit of these goals and dreams?
My hopes are to help inspire Indigenous youth as much as possible in and out of the classroom. I want to bring change to the classroom and help students to thrive and move forward with education. My goals for the future are to become a teacher and integrate Indigenous Knowledge into the classroom. I want to bring holistic learning to help connect students to the land and get outside of the classroom walls. I want Indigenous students to get as much education as they possibly can.
The Kw’umut Lelum Indspire Award has given me confidence that anything is possible. I have worked hard in my studies, and it is great to be recognized for my dedication. I will keep on moving forward with my program and keep working diligently in all my classes. Winning the Kw’umut Lelum Indspire Award has given me the motivation to stay dedicated to my studies and stay focused on the path of education.
