A proud member of the Gwich’in Nation, Dhillon School of Business alumna Ashley Ens (BMgt ’16, Msc Mgt ’21) completed both her Bachelor of Management and Master of Science in Management. During her Master of Science in Management, she successfully defended her thesis, “Disrupting the academy: How we move from mere Indigenous inclusion to decolonization Indigenization.” Now she’s sharing, in her own words, what's been happening in life since graduation, including how she's preserving the past for a better future while pursuing a PhD and growing a small business.
I was born and raised in Inuvik NWT; I am a proud member of the Gwich’in Nation. I have lived many places and will always consider the North my home. I currently live in southern Alberta with my three children Hannah, Zakery and Rosie.
My time at ULethbridge
I completed an undergraduate degree in Management from the University of Lethbridge in 2016, followed by a Master’s of Science in Management from the Dhillon School of Business in 2021.
I choose Lethbridge because of the beautiful coulees, large Indigenous population and positive reputation at the University. The supports provided to Indigenous students allowed me to find the confidence to build a community for myself. It’s the relationships that we build that contribute to our success. Rhonda Crow and Frances First Charger were instrumental in my success story, they both provided comfort and guidance through my undergraduate and graduate degree.
Ensuring that learning environments are inclusive of Indigenous perspectives is a lot of work. It didn’t always feel this way, but my experience continually improved which speaks volumes. The Dhillion School of Business is committed to creating spaces where Indigenous students feel welcomed, respected and supported. They build community connections through initiatives like the Elders in Residence program, which connects Indigenous students with Elders and teachings. This provides students with direct access to cultural knowledge, mentorship and support. These connections help students feel a sense of belonging and identity while navigating academic environments that may otherwise feel isolating. I am grateful to be part of this community as a sessional instructor for the Indigenous Governance program.
Understanding our past to plan for the future
I am pursuing a PhD at the University of Alberta's Faculty of Native Studies. My doctoral thesis seeks to reclaim Gwich’in histories that have and continue to inform governance practices. By combining archival research, historical analysis and community input, I aim to examine how Gwich’in knowledges contributed to Land Claim decisions. Ensuring our histories reflect our unique Indigenous experiences is essential for fostering respect and authentic representation. Understanding our past also helps us plan for the future. Prioritizing Gwich’in experiences helps us rebuild ideas of Nationhood.
True empowerment
I currently own a small business, Yakaih Consulting. I work on Indigenous governance projects with the goal of empowering, building capacity and celebrating the strength of communities. My work often involves facilitating workshops, developing strategic plans, providing policy analysis, all aimed at strengthening self-determination and supporting the creation of sustainable governance frameworks. Yakaih Consulting is committed to honouring Indigenous ways of knowing and doing, recognizing that true empowerment is rooted in respect, partnership and celebration of our collective resilience.
I helped organize the annual “We Are United As One” canoe trip, which brings Gwich’in community members together to explore traditional travel routes and to learn about our place histories. The event allows Elders, knowledge holders and Youth to reconnect, share wisdom and tell stories linked to the river systems that shape our way of life. Each year, we select and map important routes based on their significance.
Goals for the trip include supporting health and wellness, fostering personal growth, building relationships and skills, transferring land-based knowledge and clarifying Gwich’in values and roles. Participants learn canoeing techniques, teamwork, navigation and gain confidence while engaging in cultural learning and place stories.
Advice for future students
Advice I would like to share to future students: In order to grow we need to engage with uncomfortable situations, it’s these places of discomfort that push us to transform.
The Indigenous Governance and Business Management (IGBM) program at the Dhillon School of Business combines Indigenous knowledge and business education to prepare students for leadership rooted in community and culture.