“Being of Indigenous descent, I was particularly interested in issues of social justice, inequality and the ways in which societal changes impact communities and individuals. My passion for learning about the human experience, my desire to contribute to positive social change and my culture ultimately drew me to study psychology at the U of A. What came as a pleasant surprise was the strong sense of connectedness within the Indigenous community on campus. Moving away from home and navigating a new environment was challenging, and when I first arrived I felt insecure and untethered. But the warmth and support I received from everyone at First Peoples’ House and the Arts Indigenous Gathering Space quickly changed that. It was so encouraging to have people check in on me, offer me meals, and most importantly, accept and grow to love me for who I am. I am forever grateful for the support and connections I made here.” Sharaya is a third-year Métis Arts student from Medicine Hat, Alberta. S...