An Indigenous student’s journey of reconnection and environmental advocacy
By: Emily Totzke (she/her)
Ojibwe student, Samantha Terry, reflects on rediscovering her Indigenous identity, thriving in co-op roles and building community.
Before Samantha Terry (she/her) (BES '25) crossed the convocation stage to graduate from the University of ݮƵ’s Environment, Resources and Sustainability program, she took some time to reflect on her co-op journey and reconnecting with her Indigenous heritage.
A proud member of the Temagami First Nation, located on Bear Island north of North Bay, Terry identifies as Ojibwe. Though she grew up off-reserve and initially had limited exposure to her culture, her time at ݮƵ became a way for her to rediscover her culture.
“There was always this understanding of the importance the environment had to us and that we needed to care for it the same way it cares for us,” Terry says. “My degree allowed me to reconnect to my culture and learn more about Indigenous ways of doing, knowing and seeing.”
Connecting through co-op
Of her four co-op work terms, Terry completed two with the Faculty of Environment and two with .
Her first role as a recruitment and marketing associate in the Faculty of Environment helped her to develop her communication and leadership skills by managing a team of student ambassadors and organizing outreach events.
“It wasn’t directly environmental policy,” Terry says. “But it taught me how to connect with people, organize events and lead with confidence.”
It was during this work term that Terry connected with her supervisor, Amanda St. Marie, environment Indigenous initiatives manager for the Faculty of Environment. Terry credits this relationship with having a major impact on her reconnection journey.
“She and I have very similar stories in terms of our Indigenous histories and our connection to Indigenous culture,” Terry says. “There weren’t a lot of people that were Indigenous where I grew up or had that similar connection to their family as I did. But, I was able to relate to Amanda and speak openly about my history. She was always there supporting me. I think I would be in a very different place in my Indigenous reconnection journey if I didn’t build that relationship during my co-op term.”
Amanda St. Marie, environment Indigenous initiatives manager, Faculty of Environment and Samantha Terry (BES '25)
St. Marie understands the impact sharing your story can have on Indigenous students.
“Sharing my Indigenous background often happens naturally, just in conversation. But I’ve found that when I do, it opens a door,” St. Marie says. “Students, whether they’re Indigenous or not, often feel more comfortable sharing their own stories and asking questions. For those who are reconnecting with their identities, like Sam, it can be really meaningful to see that there’s space for those conversations at work. It helps create a sense of belonging and community.”
In her second role as a fisheries biologist student at Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Terry initially felt out of place with her limited biology background.
“I started a month late, and everyone else already had training. I was freaking out,” Terry says.
But with the support of her team, she quickly caught up and flourished in her role.
She reviewed development projects for their impact on fish habitats and participated in fieldwork to sample fish in remote waterways. Despite the challenges, Terry found the experience deeply rewarding.
“Even as a co-op student, I could see how my decisions directly protected ecosystems,” Terry says. “That was really meaningful.”
Finding community on campus
Terry credits much of her personal growth to the support systems available to Indigenous students on campus. The ݮƵ Indigenous Student Centre (WISC), the Office of Indigenous Relations (OIR) and the WAMPUM Lab played key roles in her journey.
While WISC has recently been integrated into the OIR, Indigenous Student Services, they previously held a space within United College. Terry lived in the graduate apartments and found a real sense of community there.
“I was incorporated into the space and got to speak directly to the program co-ordinator and director,” Terry says. “I was able to make a lot more Indigenous friends. They were very helpful in terms of my reconnection journey and attending workshops and doing my own crafts.”
In addition to the community Terry built through WISC, she also found great support from the OIR in times of need.
“If I was having trouble with anything school-related, any financial issues that I needed to speak about, I knew they were the ones I could go to,” Terry explains. “There were a lot of opportunities to connect with people on campus.”
Terry worked part-time during her undergraduate degree at the WAMPUM Lab, an Indigenous science lab that focuses on ocean, water and climate justice.
She also completed her undergraduate thesis on the Anishinaabe maternal care practice of moss bags and their connection to the Anishnaabe peatlands. All of these experiences combined to leave Terry with a sense of satisfaction about her choice of degree.
“I got into this environmental studies degree not knowing what it could provide me in the realm of learning about my culture and Indigenous knowledge,” Terry reflects. “There was a lot more to experience than I ever considered, so I’m very lucky to have selected the perfect program for me.”
Reflecting back and looking forward
As a recent graduate, Terry is preparing for her next chapter. She will be pursuing a Master’s in Environment and Social Justice at York St. John University in the United Kingdom. She hopes to continue to integrate her Indigenous perspectives into environmental policy and advocacy in her graduate education.
“I’m excited to keep learning, to travel and to bring my culture to new spaces,” Terry says.
She also offers some advice to current co-op students.
I know it can be kind of intimidating, but the support I was given during the process was awesome. Whenever I had trouble finding jobs, there were people that would help me. The learning that you get through co-op is one of the best experiences. So, jump at the opportunity and use the resources that are available to you.
At Co-operative and Experiential Education, we have dedicated staff to support you in every aspect of your co-op journey. Connect with our co-op student experience managers or book an appointment with your co-op advisor.