Network group connects Indigenous students

WISEN member (left) Asheley MacLellan of CFB Esquimalt’s Outreach Team and WISEN founder Natallia Gagné, a human resources assistant with Base Administration’s National Student Hiring team are joined by National Student Hiring Team Lead Roxana Kendall at the Base Commander’s Office on Feb. 21. Photo by Peter Mallett, Lookout

WISEN member (left) Asheley MacLellan of CFB Esquimalt’s Outreach Team and WISEN founder Natallia Gagné, a human resources assistant with Base Administration’s National Student Hiring team are joined by National Student Hiring Team Lead Roxana Kendall at the Base Commander’s Office on Feb. 21. Photo by Peter Mallett, Lookout

Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~

A support group that connects Indigenous students currently working for Canada’s public service with future job opportunities has been launched by two employees at CFB Esquimalt.

The Western Indigenous Student Network (WISEN) is the brain child of Natallia Gagné, a 21-year-old human resources assistant who works for Base Administration’s National Student Hiring Team, following the launch of the federal government’s Indigenous Student Employment Opportunity (ISEO).

The mandate of ISEO is to address the low representation levels of Indigenous students hired across the Public Service, but Gagné decided to go one step ­further with WISEN. 

WISEN keeps students currently working for the Federal Government networked with their peers after their short-term contract ends. Gagné believes building up those low representation levels will be achieved by letting Indigenous student employees know about other job opportunities within the Public Service.

Gagné, who is Metis, is in her fourth year of Sociology and Indigenous Studies at University of Victoria. She came up with the idea for WISEN last summer while on a work-study term as a junior human resources officer for the Public Service Commission in Vancouver.

In September, she found work at the base. Shortly afterwards she met 22-year-old Ashley MacLellan, who currently works for the Base Executive branch on Project Outreach, and the two teamed up to operate WISEN in their spare time.

MacLellan, 22, grew up in Yellowknife, NWT, and is a member of the North Slave Métis Alliance. She also attends the University of Victoria and is the final year of studies for her English and Communications degree.

WISEN has 18 members but continued growth is anticipated as word spreads. Most of the group’s members are in B.C., predominantly on the lower mainland and Vancouver Island. They stay connected via social media and a closed Facebook page, video conferencing, holding smudging ceremonies, and informal gatherings.

WISEN’s main task is to provide members with information sessions on government recruitment, such as finding job opportunities and how to apply to student programs through ISEO.

The interaction, says Gagné, is helping the group grow and establish stronger roots.

“The big thing coming out of this is that students in WISEN are also able to act as ambassadors,” said Gagné. “They can return to their schools with positive experiences and stories of working in the Public Service and help spread the word about the job opportunities available.”

To join WISEN, students should email Natallia.Gagne@forces.gc.ca or Ashley.Maclellan@forces.gc.ca

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