Niitsiitaakii (The Only Woman), Chataya Holy Singer (BFA - Indigenous Art '23), Administrative Assistant, Iniskim Indigenous Relations

Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I was born and raised here in Lethbridge. I was inspired to go to university when I was in middle school through what was formerly the FNMI Mentorship Program (now the Indigenous Youth Mentorship Program) at ULethbridge. My role models and support from community encouraged me to enrol right after high school. I graduated from CCH in 2016, and from there I applied to what was formerly the FNMI Transition Program (now the ISSC) and that’s what got my foot in the door with the University of Lethbridge. All my life I knew what I wanted to be when I grew up and that was to be an artist. After finishing the program, I enrolled in the BFA – Indigenous Art program where I eventually graduated and now work here full-time.

How long have you been at ULethbridge and what do you do here?
I have been here for almost eight years if you’re counting when I first started as a student here. Since graduating, I have only worked here as a full-time employee for less than a year. However, I have also worked casual positions in various departments and fulfilled some side projects like art commissions, exhibitions for ULethbridge and earned professional development over the years as a student. In my current position, I’m the admin support for Iikaisskini Indigenous Services, Iniskim Indigenous Relations, and the Vice-Provost. I operate out of the front Iikaisskini office, providing admin support for the staff, and I also have a desk in the Iikaisskini Gathering Centre, so during the school year I’m operating out of that space offering support for students along with maintaining the Centre. For Iniskim Indigenous Relations, I am the admin support for the Director of Strategic Indigenous Learning Initiatives with Iniskim Indigenous Relations and the Going All Out Society (EleV) navigators, and I provide administrative support for the Vice-Provost Dr. Leroy Little Bear.

What's the best part of your job?
The hands-on work I get to do with helping with events and workshops for Iikaisskini. I find it a satisfying part of the job and a great way to engage with current students and build connections with other faculty and staff on campus. I also love being given the opportunity to express my creative talents; I occasionally facilitate the art therapy workshops for our Indigenous Mental Health Outreach Worker who hosts Indigenous Wellness Wednesday workshops throughout the school year. I also enjoy helping decorate the office space and/or Gathering Centre for the holidays and events that we host in the Fall/Winter. Apart from the hands-on work, I also enjoy being the “face” of the Iikaisskini front office and providing support for our students, staff and anybody who walks through the door. To me, that is a gratifying part of the job and I love being helpful to others the best way I can as an Admin.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
If I’m not at home relaxing and enjoying a good TV show with some comfort food, or cleaning my house, then I’ll be out on an adventure, travelling. I love going on long drives whether if it’s a day trip to Waterton, Calgary, visiting family on the reserve, or going for a drive to the States for a day or two – I’m always up to do something spontaneous with my partner, so we always find something interesting to do on our downtime together.