Congrats to Sadie-Phoenix Lavoie and Kevin Settee

Congratulations to Sadie-Phoenix Lavoie elected UWSA (University of Winnipeg Students Association) Vice President of External Affairs and Kevin Settee elected UWSA President. Both students take courses in UIC at the Selkirk Avenue campus and we look forward to continue strengthening our relations when the UWSA opens its first off-campus office in the Merchant's Corner.

Kevin Settee, the first Indigenous UWSA President said that, "I'd like people to know that my style of "leadership" is different. I grew up in the west end, and in my experiences, I've looked up to leaders who've stepped up in times of communal hardship. I've grown up in ceremonies as someone who has always taken orders from my mother/aunties and elders as oshkabaywis or a helper, I have been taught to serve people and to always put myself last. This is the mentality that I will bring to my position as President and I will work hard to let students know that we are here to serve them and make their university experience enjoyable, and stimulating. My philosophy of education is that we come into these spaces to challenge what we think we know about the world, and I hope that we can grow into good human beings doing so."

Sadie-Phoenix Lavoie, the first Two-Spirited Indigenous UWSA Executive member shares that, "I became involved with the Aboriginal Student Council as VP right around the height of Idle No More. I found the strength community had whenever we all came together to fight against oppression, austerity, rights infringement, and advocated for women, children, Elders, social and environmental justice. I found my voice to speak up for the people and understand my duty to empower, inspire, and encourage youth to be involved in matters that affected them and their children. I saw the importance of mobilizing at the grassroots level in mass numbers to ensure that injustice was taken very seriously by government, media, and the broader community. I found that when community uses that unity and solidarity we are able to harvest powerful, creative ideas and solutions to bring forth change benefiting us all."