November 16, 2011 - Over the Edge FOUR CANDIDATES RUNNING IN THE NUGSS FIRST NATIONS REPRESENT ATIVE BY-ELECTION = 4 & i = Read their profiles and head to the pols Four Candidates Running in NUGSS First Nations Representative By-Election four candidates running in the election who have provided biographies below. All under- ) | UGSS is hosting a by-election for the position of First Nations Representative. There are graduate students are eligible, and encouraged, to vote on November 17th and 18th from 9:00-4:00 in the Wintergarden. On Monday, November 7th, all candidates gave election speeches. Aleah Gagnon Aleah Gagnon is of Wet’suwet’en and Gitx- san decent who is a member of the Laksilyu (small frog) clan. She is a 3rd year Environ- mental Studies student and has already com- pleted a First Nations certificate in Traditional Environmental Knowledge. Hailing from the northern community of Moricetown, British Columbia, Aleah initially chose UNBC for its close proximity to her family, and soon came to realize the vast opportunities that the university offered. This mother of one makes it a priority to bring her son home as often as possible, es- pecially during traditionally important times of the year; such as, the Salmon runs, berry pick- ing, and hunting seasons. Aleah is dedicated to her studies and always find the time to enjoy a Timberwolves basketball game, as well as go- ing on local adventures to places like Hubble Homestead, Exploration Place and the Railway and Forestry museum with her son. Aleah is ex- cited for this new opportunity and welcomes the hard work and dedication that this role requires. Jeremy Pahl Nda wila waan! Jeremy Pahl di waayu. Prince George di wil dzogu, Gitga’ata di wil waatgu. Hello there, my name is Jeremy Pahl. I am currently living in Prince George, but I belong to the village of Hartley Bay (traditional name- Gitga’ata, meaning “people of the cane.”). My parents are Sandra and Henry Pahl. My mother is Cree-metis & scottish from Manitoba, and my father is Tsimshian from Gtig’ata (and born and raised in Prince Rupert). I am second year student at UNBC majoring in First Nation’s studies, and also currently working on a certificate in Aboriginal Commun- ity Resource Planning. I am also very involved in the urban Aboriginal community as I am a Youth Engagement Worker at the Prince George Native Friendship Centre. My main focus is working with young Aboriginal people, to help them make positive choices, and to provide them with a safe, healthy environment to hang out in. I’m also a member of two local musical groups; a country band called “Shorta-Cash”, and a metal band called “Gyibaaw”. PHOTO CRED. NADIA NOWAK These speeches can be viewed on the YouTube channel “NUGSSTube”. If you have any questions about the election please e-mail nugss-ombuds@unbc.ca or stop by or call our office at 960-6427. These profiles can also be viewed on our website at nugss.unbc.ca. Hope to see you out at the polls, and best of luck to all the candidates! Melissa Teed Melissa Teed is a Dakelh (Carrier) woman from the Saik’uz First Nation reserve located outside of Vanderhoof, BC. She is of the Grouse Clan and a descendant of Florence Teed and Mary John Sr. Melissa is the eldest of four sib- lings. In learning her traditional Dakelh songs, Melissa has been asked to sing at ceremonies and other events on campus. When not in class, most of her time is spent at the First Nation Cen- tre which is a home away from home for many students. There, the students and faculty have a tight social network for academic and personal support. Melissa Teed is obtaining the First Nation Public Administration Certificate and a Com- merce Degree with a major in Human Resource Management. Currently, she is completing her second year and beginning her third year of the four year program. Melissa hopes to find a sum- mer student position in the human resource field for the summer of 2012, if not a business and/or administration summer job for work experience through a Coop program at the university. She is also contemplating joining the Rocky Mountain Rangers (Canadian Forces) in Prince George as she has completed the basic military qualifica- tion in the summer of 2010 with the Bold Eagle Program. Snachyla! Thank you so much for giving me this opportunity, and taking the time to review my candidacy. I sincerely hope that I am the candidate you are looking for! iles Jessica Stewart My name is Jessica Stewart and I am an Ele- mentary Education Student here at UNBC. It is my first semester at this wonderful campus and I am thrilled at being able to run for First Nations Representative for NUGSS. I graduated from the University of the Fra- ser Valley in June 2010 where I was actively in- volved in student union politics. I have spent a couple terms as Aboriginal Representative then moved onto Vice President External. I believe that this experience will help me in this endeav- or of running in the by-elections being held Fall 2011 semester. I come from the Nisga’a Nation , from the Village of Gingolx and am part of the Eagle Clan. I know that the student union society’s pri- mary focus is advocacy for students and believe that I can be a good advocate for the first na- tion’s population here at UNBC. With my prior experience with working with student organ- izations and student politics I believe that I can fully engage with students to get the best po- tential the society can offer. I also believe that I will improve the responsibility of NUGSS to enhance student life at UNBC by helping con- tribute not only the First Nations voice to coun- cil but also taking every member of the student body into account. I want to include the entire student body into First Nations culture by in- cluding them in First Nations Centre activities and becoming an active member of the centre myself. With the high number of Aboriginal students coming from smaller surrounding com- munities really should be addressed. About 14% of UNBC’s student population is aboriginal with the average at all BC universities is only 2%. This makes the position of First Nations Rep- resentative very important at helping bridge the gap between post-secondary education and their small aboriginal communities. If I were elected into NUGSS I fully believe that I would be able to meet what is required of me and exceed it.