BIRM makes lasting impact on USask mentor and recent graduate
The Building Intercultural Resilience Mentorship (BIRM) program focuses on the growth and development of Indigenous high school students, but the University of Saskatchewan (USask) student mentors benefit just as much as their younger counterparts.
By Ashley Dopko, University CommunicationsWhen Jocelyne Chief was first approached to apply to BIRM she wasn’t sure if she had what it took to be a mentor.
“At first I was a little bit nervous because I wasn’t sure that it was in my skill set to mentor somebody else,” said Chief, who at the time was completing her Indigenous Studies degree (BA’23).
It ended up being a perfect fit.
“I’ve really enjoyed the relationship aspect,” said Chief. “Mentoring youth throughout their academics and throughout pieces of their identity.”
Chief’s volunteer work with BIRM spans the last four years and has created countless connections. It has even helped her determine a career path.
“Education was always an option for me. I come from a family of educators,” said Chief, who graduated from the College of Education this spring.
“It wasn’t until BIRM that I could finally see myself becoming a teacher.”
Teaching and learning go both ways at BIRM.
“I’ve definitely learned more from the youth than I could ever imagine,” said Chief. “Not everybody gets that experience, so I think that it’s extremely important to acknowledge that these youth teach us, even though we are the mentors.”
Many of the youth in BIRM come from Saskatoon’s core neighbourhoods.
“They are living lifestyles that some of us have never experienced,” said Chief.
Bringing the two groups together through culture and connection makes the BIRM experience so unique.
“BIRM gave me that push to want to learn how to introduce myself and say where I’m from in Cree,” said Chief. “It was something the youth in BIRM were learning how to do, so I practised alongside them. It was super helpful in boosting my confidence.”
This introduction, carefully crafted and practiced, is something Chief takes with her everywhere.
tansi onīmihtow-nipiyaskwew nitisiyihkâson, Jocelyne Chief moniyaw-nitisiyihkâson. Onion Lake osci niya, mâka Grandora mêkwâc niwîkin.
Hello my Cree name is, “Dancing Leaves Woman” and my English name is Jocelyne Chief. I am from Onion Lake Cree Nation but currently live in Grandora, Saskatchewan.
It is one of the many things she will take with her into her new teaching career.
BIRM is an ongoing program open to Indigenous high school students at select schools, and to all USask students.