Meet Kookum Karen!

The Indigenous Student Centre (ISC) is excited to welcome the new Grandmother-in-residence Karen Courchene to the Fort Garry campus! Karen [BA/83, B.Ed./87] is a UM alum and has been a teacher for the last 30 years.

It’s a full-circle moment for Karen, transitioning from being a student at UM to now serving as a Grandmother-in-Residence, where she will engage with students in a non-classroom setting. UM Today had the opportunity to interview Karen to learn more about her and what drew her back to UM.

UM Today: Please tell us about yourself.

“I want to introduce myself using my traditional name, which is Blue Thunder Cloud. I’m from the Bear Clan, and it is really important to me to use that name first and foremost because we are coming into a colonized space and that was my birthright, which I never had. But now, I have it, so that’ll be the first name that I always use. My name is Karen Courchene. I’m from Sagkeeng First Nation and got married, then transferred to Peguis First Nation. I am a teacher by trade. I’ve been in the classroom for over 30 years and I’m currently living in Winnipeg. This opportunity presented itself and allowed me to still work with students, but without being in a classroom. I’m looking forward to that – I love working with students; that was always the best part of being a teacher. So here I am, getting the best of both worlds. I’ve had an opportunity to learn a little bit, and now I can come to support students on their journey at this university.”

UM Today: What made you want to pursue post-secondary education and work with young students?

“When I was growing up, the community I’m from was deeply impacted by residential schools. I attended a residential school, but I was always a good student and fit in well with the education system. School was always easy for me. My parents, aunts, and uncles had dreams and hopes that their children would have opportunities that weren’t open to them. They foresaw a bright future for me and said, “She’s going to go to university, she’s going to get her master’s degree.” I must have taken it to heart as a child. When I turned 18, I graduated from high school and went to university. I pursued a Bachelor of Arts and then a Bachelor of Education at UM. I graduated with my Bachelor of Arts in 1983 and my Bachelor of Education in 1987. Since then, I have been a teacher.”

UM Today: What kind of supports will you be offering to students?

“I am still learning about my job and the kind of support I will be offering to students. One thing I want to do is to support students by listening to the challenges they are facing on their academic journey. My vision for this place is to create a supportive space where students can come to get encouragement and refill their spirits before they go out to their various faculties. I understand how challenging these academic environments can be, and I want to provide a community that supports and uplifts students. I think we may need to have a women’s circle, similar to the men’s circle, as I believe in the power of sitting in a circle for healing and finding one’s voice. I also plan to organize luncheons and support events related to our traditional cultural practices, as I believe in the healing power of our cultural traditions.”

UM Today: A final message from Karen on advice for Indigenous students.

“One of the things that has impressed me the most about the students I’ve met is how proud of them I already feel. As I see them navigating through their experiences, I see them developing their voices, becoming strong advocates, and paving the way for those who will follow. Some people preceded me at this university, and they laid down a path for me to follow. Hopefully, I’ve been able to widen that path a little for those who come after me. Now, I see these students making that path even wider. I know there are still challenges, but I’m truly impressed by the voices that students have and by what they’re doing on campus. If I can support their journey in any way, I’m here for them, and my office is here to help. I want to provide support and help them succeed, knowing what would have made a difference for me in this space. In the past, there was one Aboriginal Student Advisor. We only had one, and he helped me believe in myself. By doing that, he helped me a lot, and I was able to find success within the system and navigate my way through it. I want to give back a little of what was given to me. It’s a full circle for me – this is where I came to school, and now I’m here, able to help in the same way someone did for me when I was a young student in the 1980s.”

Karen Courchene is available for support Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. You can schedule an appointment with her by emailing isc@umanitoba.ca or by calling the Indigenous Student Centre at 204-474-8850.

Chelsey Hill