Third-year USask student sees community success as her success

Morin is a Métis student from North Battleford, Sask., in her third year of an anthropology degree. She works as an archives intern through Métis Nation-Saskatchewan, is a tutor and business partner in Prairie Roots Tutoring, and is also a co-president for the Visual Arts Students Union (VASU) on campus and has led initiatives in creating safe spaces for communities.

Morin will receive an award for leadership at this year’s Indigenous Student Achievement Awards on March 10. Indigenous students from across the University of Saskatchewan (USask) will be honoured at a ceremony to recognize their academic excellence, leadership, research endeavours, resiliency or community engagement.

The award ceremony is part of Indigenous Achievement Week (IAW), which celebrates the successes and contributions of Métis, First Nations and Inuit students, staff and faculty. The festivities include speakers and celebrations in various locations across campus.

Morin took some time to share her experiences as a student.

Why did you choose anthropology? 
It’s kind of a funny story. I feel like it chose me rather than me choosing it. I was enrolled at USask for an education degree at first, and took a few classes as electives, but I found myself loving the intricacies of anthropology and changed my degree after a year of education to anthropology. I love how you can really shape your experiences based off what you’re interested in, and you can really cater your learning to it, especially here at USask.

You are receiving the award for leadership. Is there someone in your life you look up to as a leader you aspire to be like?
There really isn’t anyone at the forefront that I can think of. Every manager, leader, Elder/Knowledge Sharer, co-workers, past teacher, professor, family member, friend, and more that I have had a pleasure working and building a relationship with, have really moulded and shaped the person that I am in terms of the type of leader I wish to be and already are. This is especially relevant for all the amazing Elders/Knowledge Sharers and leadership that I have talked to and have learned from in the few years I have worked alongside them during my internship at Métis Nation-Saskatchewan and elsewhere. They truly do some amazing work and have paved the path so I and other youth can soar. I am so inspired by their drive and dedication.

You are an intern at the Métis-Nation Saskatchewan Archives, and you are on the executive for the Visual Arts Student’s Union. Can you talk about how history and art play a role in your life and your leadership style?
As someone who is a huge art and history nerd, it has played a huge role in my everyday life. I have always been drawn to researching different histories. Museums and libraries were like my second home ever since I can remember, and I am always getting hands-on experience with different art mediums ever since I learned how to use pencils and crayons. I think through this I tend to add a more creative outlooks and ideas to my work as an intern, running a tutoring brand, and as one of the presidents of VASU. This, alongside learning from past events on what (or what not) to do, has really helped me grow as a leader. I always try to listen first, ask questions, and get as much information as possible while still being respectful to whatever topic is being discussed. Respect for yourself and others goes a long way.

What are your goals for the future?
I would love to work more on my art skills. Being a part of VASU has really helped with that and forced me to step outside of my comfort zone. And maybe get my master’s in either Art Conservation or Archives and Records Management. But for now, I’m just focusing on finishing my degree.

What advice would you give to a student coming to USask for the first time?
I know as a first year I heard this a lot myself, but I can’t stress this enough: Get involved and utilize the tools and events that USask has to offer! Also, don’t be afraid to reach out to professors and create those professional relationships. And finally, make sure you put yourself and your needs first, take a break from time to time, get outside of your comfort zone, too, and regenerate your energy to remind yourself why you are here. The only race you are in is one with yourself, take as much time as you need to. There really isn’t any rush.

Could you tell us about the scholarship(s) you received and how it affected your journey at USask?
At around the same time as finding out that I won this award, I got an email stating that I won the Peter Stoicheff Award for Indigenous Undergraduate Students. This is also such a huge award that I am incredibly thankful for. I also won the Dorothy Farnell Bursary back in 2023. Both awards have really helped with not only the financial side of what it means to be a student but have also given me a boost of confidence in knowing what I’m doing matters and will be important in the long run.

Meghan-Nicole Morin’s art can be seen at @Magpie.art.ave on Instagram.