The Long Journey to Education
Our “Make Anything Possible” campaign raises funds to support the Kw’umut Lelum Indspire Awards. These Awards support Indigenous youth from our nine member nations on Vancouver Island to access life-changing post-secondary educational opportunities that may otherwise have been out of reach. Each week we will share stories from one of last year’s scholarship recipients showing the profound and direct impact this award is having.
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“I always knew in my heart I wanted to achieve my degree goal. I had to overcome my fear of failure and I was determined to change my strategies for learning. The Kw’umut Lelum Indspire Award gave me the confidence to know in my heart how important it was to complete my degree. I felt so honored to have such a wonderful Award and so grateful.”
- Lana Harris
My name is Lanadee Harris, I am from the Stz'uminus First Nation community.
What are you studying and how did you decide which program to take?
I am studying Child and Youth Care at Vancouver Island University. I decided to take this program because an advisor told me it would be great for me to take. I am so glad I listened to my advisor because I really enjoy the program because it has taught me so much. One thing that really stands out for me in the program is how important it is to take care of ourselves in order to support the children, youth, and families we work with in our future careers.
Share a bit about your educational journey to this point
I have been on my educational journey forever—I would start and then I would let family responsibilities take over my time and I would get far behind and have to quit. However, I always knew in my heart I wanted to achieve my degree goal. I had to overcome my fear of failure and I was determined to change my strategies for learning. I asked for help from my professors and other students in my program always supported me, especially if I didn’t understand my assignments.
What did you want to be when you grew up?
I always wanted to be a teacher growing up, but I never brought myself forward into taking any programs to become one. However, I teach my family and friends in other ways like cooking, focusing on the positive, and being present. I love to use some of my child and youth learning by looking at people’s resiliency, and being non-judgemental when I am with anyone who crosses my path.
Who or what has been your biggest support at post-secondary?
In my family, my role models included my father who received his Master’s in Leadership and Training, my younger sister who received her Bachelor of Science degree, one of my daughters who received her Child and Youth degree and my nephew who received his degree in Criminology. My professors, Indigenous Educational Navigators at VIU, and other students have also been my biggest supporters in post-secondary.
What is one piece of advice you would offer to either your younger self or Indigenous youth from your community?
The advice I would have given myself earlier on my educational journey was to focus on time management and to connect with my professors because they are always there to help you and want to see you succeed with your classes. I would encourage you not to stress about assignments and to always find time to take the break you need to re-energize yourself.
What do you wish you knew before heading to post-secondary education?
I wish I knew how important it was for me to believe in myself—and that I do belong—because attending my first few years I doubted myself and did not think I could do it. The biggest challenge I had to overcome was “You are never too old to go back to get your education.”
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, dreams, and goals for the future are to be very successful in giving back to my community and neighbouring communities with my learnings, and to be a good role model for my family and friends. The Kw’umut Lelum Indspire Award helped me to have some financial freedom. It also gave me the confidence to know in my heart how important it was to complete my degree. I felt so honored to have such a wonderful Award and so grateful.