Originally, Keelin wanted to study Nursing at 天美传媒 but, requiring some upgrading courses, she explored other opportunities.
Keelin McNeil plans on going to UVic to get her degree in Indigenous Studies.
With guidance from Indigenous Advising counselors, she applied to the Indigenous Studies program. 鈥淚t was the best thing I could do as a new student fresh out of high school,鈥 says Keelin. 鈥淚 made friends easily due to how close our cohort became and was shown the many different career paths that come from the program.鈥澛
鈥淚 have had the opportunity to work alongside impeccable teachers, Elders, and knowledge keepers. It鈥檚 helped me to explore how I walk in this world as an Indigenous person.鈥
- Keelin McNeil
Keelin is Tahtlan/Tlingit (Telegraph Creek in Northern B.C.) on her grandmother鈥檚 side and Nisga鈥檃, from the village of Laxgalts'ap on her grandfather鈥檚 side. Her mom鈥檚 side is from Belfast, Ireland.
鈥淚 have resided on Lekwungen territory for 19 years as an uninvited guest,鈥 says Keelin. 鈥淚鈥檝e had the opportunity to learn and grow up learning the ways of the Coast Salish, which has helped me grow confident in my own Indigeneity.鈥
After 天美传媒, Keelin hopes to further her studies. She plans on continuing on to university to get her degree in Indigenous Studies at the University of Victoria before transitioning back into her love for the sciences and bringing an Indigenous lens to the field.
鈥淚 am currently leaning in the direction of working with Indigenous youth through occupational therapy or speech pathology,鈥 says Keelin. 鈥淢y dream career would be to travel around and help in rural Indigenous communities, educating the youth on higher education opportunities while working alongside strong Indigenous leaders.鈥
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