Band/hometown: Muskeg Lake Cree Nation
Program: Business certificate
Campus: Saskatoon
“Further your education, do it for yourself. Education is never wasted.”
For Melissa Arcand, the Indigenous Students’ Centre provided a sense of belonging during her studies at Saskatchewan Polytechnic. Enrolled in the Business certificate program, Melissa says it was “a great place to hang out and meet new people.”
She found it to be a welcoming place to gather with other students for meals and participate in group activities, while providing a “safe space to smudge,” she says.
As someone who experiences mental health challenges, including depression and anxiety, Melissa knew she needed to ask for help in order to excel in her studies. She joined a walking club with her Indigenous advisor, who was “always around to answer questions or talk,” she says. She also gained newfound confidence through one-on-one tutoring with learning services and earned herself a student award.
She encourages her fellow students to harness supports to unlock their full potential. “Don’t give up! Find resources that can help you succeed and get to the finish line,” she says. “Ask for help—not once, not twice but multiple times.”
Having graduated from Sask Polytech’s Practical Nursing program in 2020, completing the Business certificate program brings Melissa closer to realizing her dream of opening a long-term care home and making a positive impact in other people’s lives.