A recent graduate of Northern College who now works to support Indigenous students at the Timmins college has been recognized provincially.
Christina Kioke won the Premier’s Award for recent graduates at a celebration in Toronto over the weekend. It’s the first time since 2003 a Northern College alumna has won the Premier’s Award.
“The event itself was a really great experience,” said Kioke. “It was nice to be surrounded by so many accomplished individuals who have set out their goals in whatever direction it was in whatever area it was, and achieved them.”
An Attawapiskat First Nation member, Kioke worked with Indigenous youth during her time with the Six Seasons Youth program through Mushkegowuk Council, and now she is the Indigenous Services and Initiatives manager at the Northern College Timmins campus.
The recognition of the work she does in her community and at her job is important, she said.
“Sometimes working in social services or working in an area where they’re constantly advocating, it can get a little overwhelming, you can start to burn out,” Kioke said. “But when there’s moments like these where you really realize that people do care, that they can see all the hard work that’s going into supporting our community members, and then it makes it a little easier to want to continue pursuing those efforts.”
Northern College nominated Kioke, and chief cultural officer Susan Hunter said it was wonderful to see her win.
“We’re on cloud nine,” said Hunter. “The work she’s done to help with Indigenous issues has been very compelling and very needed.”
The Premier’s Award is given to outstanding college graduates in apprenticeship, business, community services, creative arts and design, health sciences, recent graduates and technology for their social and economic contributions to Ontario and worldwide. The award was launched in 1992
Kioke was nominated in the recent graduate category.
The opportunity to gain the education she received at Northern College has been an important experience in her life, says Kioke.
“Without Northern College, I wouldn’t be where I am today,” she said. “They had a lot of support being provided for myself, my family. Going back and pursuing my education in my 30s wasn’t exactly the easiest, but I’m very proud of what I've accomplished and I am very thankful for everyone who has supported me along the way.”
The work she does to help Indigenous students get comfortable in the post-secondary environment and to educate non-Indigenous students about culture and traditions is vital for the college, said Hunter.
“She inspires and mentors others and really embodies all those things that we want to be,” said Hunter.
Kioke said she’s always looking for ways to help, and the ways she plans on doing that is always shifting.
“I’m continuing to pursue my education, my bachelor of arts in public administration and with that I do hope to eventually end up in the realm of politics at some level,” she said. “It’s something that I’ve been discussing with some individuals, it’s somewhat on pause right now and I’ve been so busy so I’m not putting my entire focus into it at this moment.”
Whichever route she chooses, she will continue to support her community.
“I have time,” she said.
