ECE student juggles college with First Nations advocacy

Student Tristen Schneider voices recommendations and concerns of Ontario First Nation Youth.

Tristen Schneider has had to learn to juggle her college studies with advocacy work. She recently requested permission to re-schedule an exam as she had been asked to join an emergency discussion with Premier of Ontario Kathleen Wynne. Her profs, not surprisingly, were accommodating.

As the Independent First Nations female youth representative on the Ontario First Nations Young People’s Council, Tristen regularly meets with Ontario cabinet ministers to voice recommendations and concerns of Ontario First Nation Youth. The emergency meeting with the Premier and cabinet ministers was to discuss the Attawapiskat First Nation suicide crisis.

The First Nations Young People’s Council is a regional youth advocacy body supported by the Chiefs of Ontario. Tristen’s role on the council includes a seat on various organizations: First Nations Education Coordination Unit and the Ministry’s Advisory Council on Aboriginal Post-Secondary and Training.

Tristen is glad she chose Georgian for the Early Childhood Education program. She says she was looking for, and found, a sense of community here.

“The reason I chose Georgian was simply because of the size of the campus, and that you will be treated like an individual more than a number. Coming from a small town, I really wanted that small community connection. I was able to achieve that when I created friendships among my peers and faculty.”

She graduates in June.