b'RIVERS TO SUCCESSsometimes bend in service ofThats the kind of impact you cantI wasnt raised in ceremony. I didnt relationship-building. That culture,measure in spreadsheetsbut yougrow up speaking the language community and consultation arentcan feel it in your spirit. or living in community. For much steps on a project planthey areof my life, I felt like I existed in the the plan. Identity Work is Program Work space between: not fully inside Alongside this professional evolu- my culture, but never outside of And I had to trust that growthtion was something much moreit either.doesnt always come in straightpersonal: my own journey of recon- To complicate things further, I dont lines or neat reports. Sometimesnecting with my identity. physically look Indigenous. This it comes in the form of a studenthas led to confusion, doubt and message saying, This helped meIm a proud Mohawk woman fromassumptions from others. There feel less alone. Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory. Buthave been moments when I felt like I had to justify who I was, or worse, stay quiet about it altogether.Strengthening the impactBut through this work, and through of universities throughlistening to the stories of our excellence in continuingstudents, Ive realized Im not alone. education. So many Indigenous youth are on a journey of reclaiming, navigating CAUCE members are committed toidentity, connection and belonging honouring the TRCs recommendation toin real time. Some are reconnecting bridge the Indigenous education gap. after generations of disconnection. Reach out to your local universityOthers are the first in their family to continuing education team to exploreactively engage with their culture. opportunities available to learnersAll of them deserve spaces where looking to upskill, reskill, or transition tothey are affirmed.traditional degree programs.cauce-aepuc.ca/membership/current-members.php Rivers to Success has become one of those spaces. And leading it has helped me affirm my own story too.A New Generation of SupportWe are now in a powerful moment of transformation. Indigenous students are graduating at higher rates, assuming leadership roles, W A T E R and claiming space in institutions F I R S T that werent built for them.But success isnt just about graduation. Its about what happens after and whether students feel Training the grounded, seen, and equipped to enter the careers of their dreams.next generationThats where Rivers to Success of Indigenous comes in.water scientists Our role is not to push students toward a predefined goal. Its to Learn about our programs at walk beside them, offer tools when www.waterfirst.ngo they need them, and affirm that their pathwhatever shape it takesis valid.34indspiration2025'