To kick-off the next series of stories for the 2018-2019 Session, ASA selected Ronnie Young as our first story. Ronnie is a trans-female from the Kaska nation in the Yukon and recently celebrated her graduation from UBC this past May. Ronnie’s specialization was Anthropology and she focused her research efforts on Indigenous anthropological studies. She attended UBC as a mature student and she has two children and two grandchildren whom she, “…holds dear to her heart”. Post-graduation, Ronnie is working with the Yukon Native Language Center at Yukon College on a number of projects that will occur this summer.
Congratulations on graduating from UBC! What are your most recent reflections upon completing your degree program?
Community support at UBC has been a focal point for my journey as a student studying on campus. I would not have been able to get this far at UBC and my life without the support I received from friends within UBC First Nations Longhouse, Xwi7xwa Library and counselling services. I believe that as students and more broadly, people, we all are unique in our own individual way.
As an adult, I completed part of my gender transition in Montreal during the month of April in 2017, which occurred two days after my last final exam in my third year. I used the summer of 2017 to heal and rest up for my final year as an Arts student at UBC. I have found that the services provided by UBC helped shape my experience as a trans-student.
Would you mind talking about your program specialization and how you chose it?
I completed a major in Anthropology with a passion in Archaeology.
My interest for archeology formed after viewing a documentary on “The Human Journey” by Dr. Alice Roberts. I was struck by this film as it fostered my passion for learning about history as a Yukon First Nations Person. I am specifically fascinated by archeology as I learn about my nation’s history with colonialism. I love learning and honoring the fact that we survived and we are still here today. Despite all of the sicknesses my people have endured that sometimes nearly killed off our population, I am proud to say that I am Kaska and I am here. My studies in archeology have made me realize the strength of First Nations People.
How did you make your decision to pursue your degree at UBC as a mature student?
Choosing UBC opposed to other schools was a decision that I made with the support of my counsellor at Yukon College. Apart from considering the academic opportunities offered at UBC, I also carefully examined the type of environment that I wanted to immerse myself in. After making a Pros and Cons list, UBC had a lot to offer me as both a student and trans-woman. Since I am a trans-female, a safe space for me to grow, while also studying was essential to my decision making process. I was lucky enough to find a comfortable living area on campus that allowed me to not only be myself, but I was also able to get the rest I need at night, which was amazing, since the students around me are much younger.
What advice would you offer to new and current Mature Aboriginal students at UBC?
My best advice for new and current students is to not be afraid to ask for help and plan ahead of time. I come from a very tiny community compared to the student population at UBC and I was very shocked at how huge this place is. Intimidated by this new environment, I considered going back home the day after I arrived here. The love and support of my family was very valuable to me during this time. My niece made me promise to try to make as many friends to help me get over being lonely for the north and her advice helped me a lot. I have made some really good friends at UBC. Having a wide-range of friends and strong support system was essential for my progress as a mature student.
Could you talk about your passion for photography and how you got started?
I became interested in photography after viewing a photo taken by Cathie Archbould of Archbould Photography in Whitehorse while attending Yukon College. Growing up the Yukon I recognized that that the environment is beautiful and photography was a way in which I valued the beauty of the Yukon.
I have given away many pictures to people, who do not have the opportunity to witness Wild Country in the north and they are often grateful for the experience through my pictures.
We learned that your book Kaska Country is available at the Xwi7xwa library! Could you talk more about the inspiration of the book and any future plans for more books?
The inspiration of this book stems from my love of taking photos on my territory. I have interacted with other picture books that are sold in stores and I realized that my photos are unique and differ from what is already available. I aimed to create a book that told a story that was very specific to me and lands that I interact with. The book Kaska Country was my very first book I created on my own with a few stories, using some of my pictures. It was uplifting and such an honour that Xwi7xwa voiced their interested in buying the only original copy off of me.
In the future, I’m hoping to eventually create another wildlife picture book and continue creating stories in Kaska in the future. I recently finished a Kaska Language class at UBC with teacher Dr. Pat Moore. I am very devoted to relearning my language and I would love to produce something in Kaska. I am proud of my Kaska heritage and culture as a Yukon First Nations person, so it would be great to create a picture book using stories to showcase who I am.
The statement you provided for the Longhouse Graduation Ceremony was really beautiful, would you mind if we shared it with our readers?
Sure, here is what I wrote:
Ronnie is from the Kaska Nation in Southern Yukon, from the Crow Clan, had a father who was hereditary Chief until he passed away five years ago, a parent of two and grandparent of two. Ronnie’s father encouraged her to make a change in her life and she did that by graduating from Yukon College twice and from UBC today. Ronnie’s best moment during her time at UBC was completing her transition April 25th 2017 and her friend Susan and others at UBC First Nations longhouse and Xwi7xwa made it even special. Ronnie would loved to have her father attend this grad, but he passed away during her time in post secondary school, so Ronnie is wearing his moccasins and his gloves sewn by her grandmother as a x-mas present many years ago. Ronnie never believed she would attend university, when she was sitting there on the banks of the Francis River on her grandparents trapline 50 yrs ago, when her grandmother came to her and told her she was going to leave the trapline to attend school.
ASA wishes Ronnie Young the very best with her future projects and endeavours.
ASA Tip: Visit the Xwi7xwa Library for all of your research needs! The librarians at this centre will ensure you find the publications and articles you need for your latest research project and paper. This library specializes in resource material with Indigenous content by Indigenous authors — you can find anything from books, comics, magazines and also DVDs and CDs!
