Aboriginal Student Affairs wishes student Myia Antone, the peer advisor from May 2017 – April 2018 a fond farewell as she embarks on new work opportunities this summer! Myia has been a real asset to the Aboriginal Student Affairs team and has helped create a lot of new project endeavours focused on mentorship and student community building. We are happy to share her outgoing letter and we look forward to seeing her at future ASA events next Winter!
Myia’s Letter:
It’s been one heck of a year. This time last year, I was accepting the role of Student Peer with ASA and I was so excited for what was to come. Little did I know, I would gain so much more than just work experience.
First off, I would like to acknowledge and thank the Musqueam people, for whose land I’ve been studying and working on for the past 4 years. It has been such an honour to work here. It has grounded my education in self-growth and compassion while also allowing me to nurture my love for teachings and life as an Indigenous woman. I hope to give back to the community in a meaningful and productive way.
In a way, I feel like ASA has helped me plant roots at UBC while also grow wings. I am learning new things, while also learning how much I still do not know. At the same time, I am learning to allow the space between these two to inspire me instead of terrify me. Who knew I’d be learning so much on top of all my courses? This work environment has shown me what it feels like to be supported in a new role and how important it is to surround yourself with motivated and incredible supervisors, co-workers and peers.
I hold my hands up to Karlene Harvey and Magdalena Moore for the amazing work they do for Indigenous students at UBC. We are so lucky to have so much support from such caring and wonderful women. I felt welcomed into this positive work environment since day one and look forward to seeing all the amazing work these two will do in the future. I also appreciate and cherish all the work that other faculties and staff do for Indigenous students. Thank you Tanya, Candice, Sage, CiTR and all the other amazing advisors in the Arts Advising Office. Your work does not go unappreciated!
I would also like to give a special thank you to all the Indigenous Leadership Collective members. Thank you for joining this community on campus and I am so humbled to be let into your lives. I wish everyone a happy summer and the best of luck in the future. Through ILC, I have made new friends, found my voice and even feel a little more comfortable talking in front of a crowd. These are lessons that I will continue to practice throughout my life. I have complete faith that Chelsea will do amazing things with ILC next year.
Although this may be goodbye to my little nook in the corner of the office and drinking too much coffee that I may feel sick, I know this is not the end (mainly because I still have one more semester to finish at UBC)! This is where I go my separate way, but that doesn’t mean that our paths won’t cross again. I am not the same Myia that started off here, instead I am a Myia wrapped in endless love and compassion for the work that goes on behind the scenes of this university. I am grateful for the hard work that everyone in this office does. I wish everyone the best of luck in the future and I appreciate all your hard work.
With lots of love,
Myia
ASA Tip: Learn more about Myia and the Indigenous Leadership Collective by listening to their “Carving Space” podcast episode.
