“I love working with kids and just watching them learn and grow is a blessing to see,” Jackie Steinwand beams, reflecting on what brought her to her career path. She grew up in Fort Providence, went to school in Yellowknife, then moved to Behchoko thirty years ago. She’s worked at Chief Jimmy Bruneau School for the past fifteen years as a student assistant. She’s occupied many roles in the school, starting off in the library, then the daycare, then moving into a teacher’s assistant role before she was offered full-time work.

When it comes to Indigenous students leaving their home communities to pursue their education, her advice is, “When you go, just go with your heart, feel what you have in your heart, and don't be afraid. Don't be afraid to see what's out there and to meet new people and grow with them."

As far as obstacles in life go, Steinwand has faced many challenges. Watching her family struggle with alcohol, she went off to school on her own at 16. With nobody to guide or teach her, she felt alone in the world. That experience of isolation has meant that when new teachers arrive in town and they don’t know anyone, she is sure to welcome them and orient them to the school and the local culture so they feel comfortable.

Looking back, Steinwand wishes she had met with people who helped young people succeed and that she had pushed herself to go to university. She felt pressured to keep working and take care of her kids but deep down, she wishes someone had encouraged her to take her kids with her and keep learning. “I just wish somebody was there to help me open doors and push me even further,” she reflects.

Something Steinwand has benefited from has been the presence of elders for help and guidance. Their positive impact from their extensive life experience has made such a difference in her own life. When it comes to her mental wellness, she goes for long drives, engages in cultural activities, and spends time on the land with elders, listening to their stories.

For inspiration, Steinwand looks to her family who have been there for her through health challenges and other difficulties. Her kids and husband have been by her side to support her and push her to see that she is able to overcome whatever comes her way. She is full of gratitude for the support team she is surrounded by.

To inspire Indigenous youth, Steinwand shares words of encouragement, “Even if you're struggling, just get up and do what you can. Life is hard, very hard. Just get up and do what you can and push yourself to do stuff, like to go off to school to learn and open up to people. Lots of people, they don't open up about themselves, and it's good that as they go along in life, it'll get easier for them."

Blessed with the chance to work with kids, watching them learn and grow, Jackie Steinwand is doing what she loves every day. Once she felt alone in the world and now she is a friendly face helping others feel welcome in her community. She wishes she got further in her own education, but she gets to contribute to the learning of young people and make a difference, adding value with her wisdom.

Thanks to Alison Tedford Seaweed for authoring this article.