“I had a realization that I didn’t know what I wanted to do after I finished my degree.”
Prisca’s career journey started with a nerve-wracking thought that’s probably familiar to many of us. Having finished her third year of a Sociology degree back in 2017, Prisca Lumbala was searching for direction.
“It was really scary because you think about all the time and all the effort and all the money you put towards a degree, and now you’re just standing there thinking what am I supposed to do now? There’s got to be something for me, there’s got to be a program.”
It was this thought that turned Prisca towards Arts Work Experience. As most of her experience was customer service-based up until that point, which wasn’t something she’d envisioned as her ultimate career, Prisca was looking for something more relevant to what she wanted.
“I was really stressed out about what was going to happen after school, so being able to go through the postings was kind of a relief - there are companies out there that are looking to hire students.”
Prisca began working for Indigenous Services Canada back in 2017, an organization that she continues to work for to this day. Though her position title has changed since then, her work for the department of Indigenous Services Canada has continued on.
“I did the two full co-op terms in fall and winter, and then afterwards I just stayed on as a part time employee while I finished my degree course load. Once the end of my internship came around, I was able to get a hold of senior management and let them know that I'm really interested in staying with the department. There was a position for me and here I am now.”
Though Prisca had been aware of Indigenous issues through her education, she hadn’t considered working with them as a career until she saw the posting for the department of Indigenous Services Canada on the AWE job board.
“I am currently a Claims Analyst with the Claims unit in the department of Indigenous Services Canada, located in the Alberta Region. The unit, amongst other things, supports programs that aim to resolve outstanding issues that First Nations may have with Canada with regard to unfulfilled treaty promises, management of First Nations lands and assets, as well as any other issues that don’t fall within those categories. These programs help Canada work to resolve various claims through negotiations with First Nations outside of the court system. On top of that, my unit has been leading discussions on Treaty relationship based funding, which have to do with how Canada currently funds First Nations governments, and how we can make changes to the current funding system to not only live up to the promises in the numbered treaties but also to better Canada’s relationship with First Nation governments.”
“I have come to understand that treaties are really sacred to First Nation peoples and, in some instances, discussions surrounding Treaty relationship based funding may be difficult. At the end of the day, the department that I work for has a heavy history. Having these difficult conversations is something that I need to get accustomed to because they will happen often. Not just in this position, but also if I end up moving somewhere else within the department.
I think that the most difficult thing to deal with is wanting to do more, but being restricted by existing policies and processes. You wish things were different and you wish you could do something immediately to change how things are, but that's not the case. It's the government. There are processes and policies that you can't go around. That can be a bit frustrating at times and that would definitely be the hardest part. The department does do a good job of providing employees with training on indigenous cultural awareness, as well as allow you to do some self-reflection and take care of your mental health.”
This promotion for the importance of mental health is something that Prisca wants to share with undergraduates, especially as they make the transition from student to entering the workforce.
“I think, especially when I first started, I had impostor syndrome where you're kind of like, “do I belong here?” I know I do, but I think sometimes you can feel a little overwhelmed with the people you're working with, in the sense that they've been there for such a long time, they have so much knowledge, and it can be a bit hard to interject and say this is what I think.
“It’s important for these students to know that they're a fresh set of eyes, a fresh mind. Institutions like the federal government tend to get stuck in their ways, so it can be good to have someone share new ideas. This way of thinking allowed me to put things in perspective and realize that even if my ideas are a bit left field, there's nothing wrong with voicing them and questioning the status quo. It could lead to good and needed changes.”
“Overall, I'm thankful to have come across the program because I wouldn't be where I am today if I hadn't applied. I would say that my experience with AWE, although it was very brief and limited, has been a life changer for me.”
