Faith in higher learning is faith in humanity

Neil Godbout had a story to tell about what UNBC and higher education means to Prince George. I am saddened to hear his impressions and views. I have another story to tell about this. I was born in Prince George one snowy January morning, never dreaming I would one day attend university at UNBC. We were a young working-class family the year we passed through Prince George. My father worked at the local mill and my mom stayed home to raise children. My father was eventually to break his back working in a mill and went on to struggle with chronic pain, sporadic employment, and financial difficulties since then.

My siblings disliked school. I was the only one in my family who took to academics and enjoyed school.

Most days we were sent to school without a lunch because there was nothing to send, yet I was a top student and graduated high school with First Class Honours. From the age of 18 years onward I lived on my own and supported myself, struggling just to survive.

Last month I returned to Prince George for the first time since I was a newborn baby. I have been welcomed by all at UNBC and the surrounding community.

In everything I do in academics and advocacy I am working to break down the exclusive Ivory Tower of academia and make education accessible to all. I receive support in these endeavors from every level of the institution, even the president of the university who has been kind enough to have conversations with me, take my viewpoints seriously, and treat my First Nations background respectfully.

Neil Godbout believes that UNBC is elitist and disparaging of those without post-secondary education. I can only say that I have in no way seen this to be true in my one year of association with UNBC. If we all keep working on the path that we are on and keep the faith, we will bridge these gaps together and honour our shared humanity through higher education and other avenues. Mr. Godbout, please join us in keeping this faith.