Hometown: Stanley Mission/ Amachewespimawin First Nation
Band: Lac La Ronge Indian Band
Program: Resource and Environmental Law diploma
Resource and Environmental Law (REL) is Brandon Roberts’ second Sask Polytech program. He completed the Aboriginal Police Preparation program back in 2013 and was now looking for a new career direction. REL provided an educational path to his goal.
“After I graduate in 2023, I hope to work as a full-time conservation officer in the La Ronge area, near my hometown, or in the Prince Albert area,” shares the First Nations student.
Brandon has sacrificed a lot to get his diploma, including time with his family and children. While he’s committed to his studies, he’s also taking time to share his experience with others. “I got to know people at the Indigenous Students’ Centre, and they gave me opportunities to become a student voice on advisory committees and to be an Indigenous role model. I’m also part of a men’s group that meets every week,” he says.
Brandon is enjoying this second journey through Sask Polytech. “One of my favourite memories is having the same instructor for Wildlife Biology as my mother had for biology when she was getting her education degree. To be learning from the same instructor who was so respectful and kind toward my mom, and for him to be giving the same kindness and respect toward me, it was a sense of feeling welcomed,” Brandon says.
Being a mature student may have its challenges, but Brandon wouldn’t change anything. “My life experience has made me confident I can complete the program and have that rewarding feeling of receiving my diploma,” he says.