Making a positive impact on youth: Aaron Moore – Vancouver Island University News

Vancouver Island Universityssuluqwa Community Cousins Aboriginal student mentorship programis celebrating its 10thanniversary in September 2021. In honour of this important milestone, we are sharing stories of people closely connected with the program every month leading up to the anniversary. Stay tuned for a celebration of this important milestone in February 2022 when we hope to be able to gather in-person.

The suluqwa Community Cousins program builds capacity for mentors to gain leadership and employability skills through outreach and mentoring activities. Students hone skills in self-awareness, communication, leadership, self-care and an exploration of personal values, with an emphasis on telling ones story as a path to self-empowerment through outreach to others.

Participating in the Community Cousins program at VIU allowed Aaron Moore to connect with his Coast Salish culture through activities such as learning from Elders teachings, participating in Tribal Journeys and forming bonds with other Indigenous students.

Ive learned first-hand that its never too late to better understand who you are, and what or who brought you to this very moment, says Aaron.

Now Aaron, who graduated in 2019 with a Bachelor of Arts in Child and Youth Care, makes a positive impact in the lives of Indigenous youth. He works as a SeYeYu Kinship Social Worker with Kwumut Lelum Child and Family Services. He is also currently working with a co-worker to launch a program called 9 Nations Lacrosse to bring the sport to each on of Kwumut Lelums member Nations and make it as accessible as possible for Indigenous children to participate in.

Aaron shares some of his experience at VIU, what hes been up to since graduating and whats next for him.

Uy skweyul, my name is Aaron Moore. I am son of Leonard and Suzanne Moore. My Fathers Mothers family is from the Stzuminus First Nation and Cowichan Tribes, with connections to the Penelakut Tribe. My Fathers Fathers family is from Denmark and Finland. My Mothers family is from Ireland and England. Id like to say huy steep qu to the Snuneymuxw People for letting me live and learn on their traditional territory.

Ive always heard good things about the CYC program at VIU and I wanted to attend school close to home and as someone who grew up in South Nanaimo, VIU made the most sense for me.

I grew up playing lacrosse in Nanaimo. I played a lot with fellow su luqw a Sheldon Scow, so I spent plenty of time at his mothers house. Sylvia Scow is Manager of Indigenous Protocol at VIU and coordinator of the Community Cousins program. When Sylvia saw me on campus, she asked if I wanted to be a part of this amazing program. I graciously accepted.

Being a Community Cousin has given me the opportunity to make a connection to culture that was never presented to my father. Growing up I was always considered an Aboriginal Student in elementary school, but at the time, I couldnt really tell you what that meant. After becoming a Community Cousin, learning from Elders teachings, participating in Tribal Journeys and being so much closer to everything that I come from as a Coast Salish person, I know what that means now. I raise my hands to every Indigenous student that displays pride in where and who they come from.

I was fortunate enough to represent the Community Cousins at various conferences and events, but I have to say that Tribal Journeys will forever be one of my favourite experiences. The practices brought us together and made us stronger. The paddling from nation to nation brought us closer. The laughs, songs and dances shared were amazing. I definitely wont forget that experience.

I think its really easy to keep your head down and focus on survival in your first year of university, but it is very important to make connections and find like-minded people. It makes the whole experience easier when youre going through it with someone by your side.

Currently I am a SeYeYu Kinship Social Worker with Kwumut Lelum Child and Family Services. In my role I advocate for and support children who have been placed in the care of extended family voluntarily. At Kwumut Lelum we serve nine Nations in the mid-Island, including the one that my fathers family comes from. I love my job and I really enjoy working for Kwumut Lelum due to our practices being very culturally informed.

I am applying to complete my Master of Social Work through either Wilfrid Laurier University or the University of Toronto.

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Making a positive impact on youth: Aaron Moore - Vancouver Island University News