Tikinagan Celebrates Staff University Graduation

We’re excited to share the stories of four hardworking staff who completed their university degrees with the support of Tikinagan. Pearl Helton, Caitlyn Carpenter, Maria Mekanak, and Jocelyn Beaver, all received their Bachelor of Social Work degree Cum Laude (with Honours) this spring in Thunder Bay. Read more about each of their journeys below. Congratulations graduates!

Pearl Helton, Relief Services Supervisor

As a mother of five Pearl, always put her kids first. With three daughters earning nursing degrees, a daughter working towards her PhD, and a son in engineering, Pearl always encouraged them to learn and pursue their dreams.

“I’ve always been their number one cheerleader whenever they were in school,” she said.

Now that her children were grown up, it was time for Pearl to pursue her own goals to further

her education.

“They’ve always inspired me to keep learning, keep reaching, never give up. I knew that dream was always there and their dedication and accomplishments showed me that education opens doors and creates possibilities,” she said.

So, when the opportunity arose to further her education while at Tikinagan, Pearl went for it. In partnership with Algoma University and Oshki-Wenjack, Pearl received her Bachelor of Social Work degree this spring.

During the program, Pearl learned important understandings about weaving together Western education and the Indigenous ways of knowing. She shared that walking the two worlds meant walking with balance, compassion and understanding.

“I’ve learned that education is not only found in books or classrooms, but also in our in our families, in our communities, and the teachings passed down from our ancestors,” she said.

Within the knowledge and teachings she gained during her studies, Pearl also found growth and healing.

“This journey reminded me that learning is a form of healing too, and through my studies I revisited my own experience, my identity, and the importance of culture and wellness. And I also learned to honour my story, to reclaim my voice,” she shared.

Through it all, Pearl has been proud to have the inspiration and support of her children to keep her going.

“I know that my daughters and son inspired me to continue. Each of them walked beside me in in their own way, encouraging me to finish what I started and show that it’s never too late to follow your dreams.”

Pearl holding her degree alongside her grandson

Pearl with her daughter Krista at graduation

Caitlyn Carpenter, Neegaan Inabin Supervisor

For Caitlyn, advocating for Indigenous youth came as second nature. Working with Tikinagan since 2019, Caitlyn’s experiences within the child welfare system pushed her to advocate for Indigenous youth and fill the gaps she felt as a child.

“Having the lived experience and knowledge of what it’s like to grow up in the system, it was important to me that young people are supported and have opportunities that that I didn’t get to have when I was growing up,” she said.

On her path to making a difference, Caitlyn celebrated her graduation from Algoma University this spring with a Bachelor of Social Work degree. Alongside three other Tikinagan workers, Caitlyn participated in a two-and-a-half-year condensed program in partnership with Oshki-Wenjack that allowed her to advance her education while continuing her work with Tikinagan.

Completing her degree alongside all Indigenous women hit close to home for Caitlyn, and sharing knowledge and learning amongst a circle of strong women (all from fellow Nishnawbe Aski Nation communities), left her feeling empowered.

“There’s no competition. There’s no tearing each other down. Because we’re all in this together and we’re not fighting for a seat at the table. We’re building our own table,” she said.

Caitlyn also shared the importance of bringing culture to the table. The cultural support and perspective she received from Algoma University and Oshki-Wenjack, reminded her how valuable traditional knowledge and practices are to the field of social work.

“You don’t really see that in mainstream social work. Even in Indigenous organizations, you don’t see how our world view is growing and being elevated, how social work is really doing the work toward reconciliation,” she said

Caitlyn’s educational journey hasn’t always been easy. She admitted that pursuing her university degree was hard work, but at the same time, it was easy because it was something important to her.

“Instead of focusing on where we’ve been, it’s like what can we do right now to help ourselves and our neighbors, our friends, and people close to us.”

For anyone looking to pursue their education, Caitlyn said the key is to find the drive within yourself to push forward and pursue your goals.

“It’s important to show up for yourself.”

“Your voice is the most important one.”

Caitlyn receiving her Bachelor of Social Work degree at graduation

Caitlyn and her two children Ariana and Avery

Maria Mekanak, Family Service Worker

Maria, a Family Service Worker based in Sachigo Lake First Nation, is celebrating a valuable accomplishment for herself and her community.

“The main reason why I went to get my education was for my community,” she said. “I felt like I needed to be more educated when working for our First Nations.”

Maria is one of four Tikinagan workers that received their Bachelor of Social Work through Oshki-Wenjack and Algoma University this spring. But this was not the first time Maria pursued her education while at Tikinagan.

“Tikinagan helped fund my education three times,” she explained. “In 2010, I studied for my Early Childhood Education diploma with Oshki-Wenjack, in 2018, I did a Social Worker program through the Confederation College, and then in 2023, I started my Bachelor of Social Work.”

During her placement, Maria was required to work 350 hours as a Child Care Worker. Having been a Family Service Worker with Tikinagan for nearly 15 years, this was new for Maria.

“Each child is different and has different needs,” she said.

“You have to know about each child rather than looking at the whole of a family which is what you do when working as a Family Service Worker.”

While the experience gave her a new perspective on her work, Maria said she couldn’t do the journey alone – the support of her family made all the difference.

“Every evening while I was away in Thunder Bay, my husband encouraged me while back at home, he’s done that from the start and always pushed me to get educated,” she said.

Having her 20-year-old grandsons and great grandchild watch her walk across the stage this spring was a great accomplishment. Next, Maria plans to pursue her Master’s degree in social work next year and encourages anyone interested in furthering their education to pursue it.

“It’s a lot of work but it can be done,” she said.

“Education is very important and it’s your key to being a role model to your family and community.”

Joceyln Beaver, Family Service Worker

Pursing education can be a difficult decision, but Jocelyn says it’s always up to you to make that choice.

This spring, Jocelyn graduated from the Bachelor of Social Work program at Algoma University in partnership with Oshki-Wenjack. What stood out to Jocelyn throughout her studies was the decolonial approach to social work.

“Instead of trying to follow the mainstream, we are trying to bring in those Indigenous teachings into our daily workday. I always try and bring those in when I work with my clients,” she said.

Having worked with Tikinagan for almost seven years, Jocelyn shared that her main goal was to bring the teachings she learned, back to the children and families she supported.

“We’re just trying to make a difference,” she said.

Jocelyn said making the choice to further her education had to come from within herself.

“I chose to pursue my education and that’s what I wanted to do. I wanted to push myself to get to that level,” she said.

To help her along the way, Jocelyn said her biggest support came from her husband and her kids, especially when attending evening classes after work.

“We had evening classes like four times a week starting at 7:30 pm. Sometimes it would go up to 10:30 at night,” she said.

Taking care of her own children also meant that these classes were a big commitment.

“It is a lot of work, but it’s about making that time to do it,” she said.

Jocelyn shared the key to helping her stay on track was always having people around to support her and keeping herself motivated.

“It’s up to you to make that decision.”

Jocelyn with her Bachelor of Social Work degree on her graduation day