People of Georgian: Determination drives woman to college, help Indigenous communities

What’s your story?

The Georgian community is full of unique, inspiring perspectives —and we’re sharing them as part of an ongoing series.

June is National Indigenous History Month, and we’re introducing you to some members of Georgian’s Indigenous community.

People of Georgian: Meet Tiffany McCue

When I returned to school, I was 29 years old and sick and tired of living paycheck to paycheck.

I was in customer service – serving tables, working at hotels, that type of thing – but I wanted to do more in life, so I started looking at the Georgian Viewbook.

I came across the Aboriginal (now Indigenous) Community and Social Development program, and I thought, “Hey, this is a program that is going to help me figure out what I want to do with the rest of my life.”

So, I applied – but first I had to complete my Grade 12.

A selfie of a person who is wearing glasses, a blue toque, black shirt and blue scarf.

Tiffany faces obstacles on her educational journey

While I was raising my children, I had attempted to get my Grade 12 a couple of times but looking back now I realize I was just making excuses for not being able to get it.

When I went back to get my Grade 12 that final time, I really had to motivate myself to do that and tell myself, “If you don’t do it this time, you’re never going to do it. Get it done and don’t let any obstacle get in your way.”

And there were obstacles – mostly financial, sometimes personal.

There were a lot of obstacles that took me to the point of almost wanting to give up, but I just kept pushing forward and wasn’t allowing any obstacle to get in the way of where I wanted to be, which was in college.
Once I started at Georgian, it was the same thing. It doesn’t matter what obstacle presents itself, I’m going to find a way.

I’m not going to say it was easy.

I was a student with little ones. I think my youngest child was in kindergarten at the time and my oldest was in Grade 3. My husband was still in customer service, so he was working sporadic shifts. And the summer before I started at Georgian, we moved to Midland and there was no public transit between there and Barrie at the time.

It wasn’t easy. You name it, there is always something, right?

A selfie of two adults and two children in a vehicle. — *Tiffany with her husband and children.*

‘My determination was greater’

But I think because I was a mature student, I didn’t let any of those obstacles become an excuse. As a mature student, as a mother, I had so much to lose if I didn’t get to where I needed to be.

If I didn’t finish that degree, then what does that teach my children? Where’s my family going to be in five years if I’m still waiting tables and washing dishes?

The barriers can almost be more exhausting, but my determination was greater.

I really feel that coming here to Georgian is just that next step of learning that’s going to hopefully help me get to my life purpose.

A person wearing outdoor winter clothing stands on snowy ground wearing snowshoes.

A person wearing a winter jacket and toque holds up a fish.

Tiffany brings together Indigenous, Western lenses

I come from a First Nations community, and I’ve witnessed the effects of colonization and intergenerational trauma. There can be a sense of loss that creates a sort of stagnant atmosphere of young people giving up on life because they don’t think there’s anything better.

So, I wanted to be part of the background change to that, helping with policy and program development. I worked for years on the frontlines, too, and one day I hope to be involved in consulting.

At Georgian, I get to keep my Indigenous lens and teachings and provide that knowledge within the college. But it’s a Western organization, so I get to bring the two together and find the strengths of both.

Moving and shaking – that needs to be done to create spaces and opportunity for Indigenous people to grow and heal.

Tiffany McCue, Anishnaabe kwe (Ojibwe woman), Indigenization Initiatives Lead, alumna from Georgian’s Indigenous Community and Social Development program, and part-time faculty.