A natural connection to the land and a love for animals led Christian Francis to the Faculty of Agriculture and on the right path for him.
Christian is a member of the Mi鈥檏maq First Nation from Pictou Landing in Nova Scotia and is enrolled as a third-year Environmental Sciences student on the Agricultural Campus.
鈥淭he people are probably my favorite part of being here,鈥� says Christian.听 鈥淓veryone on campus is really friendly and willing to help you out if you need it. Barring exam season, campus has a very 'relaxed' vibe to it, which resonates really well with me.鈥�
Christian was recently acknowledged on a national scale for his commitment to the revitalized forest products industry and to Aboriginal communities.
But it hasn鈥檛 always been a simple journey.
鈥淚've always had an interest in nature, but it took me a few years to get into it academically,鈥� he explains. Originally Christian studied on the Halifax campuses and then completed a two-year Audio Engineering program, but decided the music industry wasn't what he was looking for.
鈥淎fter that was done I was still trying to find my path,鈥� he adds.
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鈥淗onestly, I was initially hesitant about the Ag Campus, but after my mom and I took a tour a few years ago, I quickly grew to love it here. Being able to go and see the animals was a big draw for me early on, but eventually the whole campus grew on me.鈥�
A new direction
Things really came together for Christian a few years ago when he started to work on environmental issues. 鈥淚t was rewarding to know that the work I was doing would be helping create habitat for animals, or providing data for conservation biologists, or trying to get Aboriginal youth involved in science and the environment,鈥� he explains.
Christian was recently recognized by the Forest Products Association of Canada in partnership with the Canadian Council of Forest Ministers with a Skills Award for Aboriginal Youth.
Christian was one of two youth honoured November 22 in Ottawa, Ont. with an award that celebrates individuals who exemplify the qualities of strong academic standing, commitment to the revitalized forest products industry and a demonstrated commitment to Indigenous communities.
The award was brought to Christian鈥檚 attention by a community friend late last summer while he was working with a not-for-profit organization based out of Millbrook called the Mi'kmaq Conservation Group, in its new Aboriginal Forestry program.
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鈥淭he award is very meaningful to me,鈥� explains Christian.听 鈥淚 see it as a sort of confirmation that I am doing good work."
A dream of giving back
"I am hopeful that my valuing of education and my developing experience with the forestry and land management industry will enable me to someday find and create opportunities for economic growth in my home community," he adds. "Someday I hope to do my part in helping First Nations people as a whole."
Christian also acknowledges the importance of recent events on campus, such as the permanent installation of the Mi鈥檏maq Grand Council Flag on the Agricultural Campus and the renaming of River Road to Sipu Awti 鈥� the literal Mi鈥檏maq translation.
鈥淭he flying of our flag and renaming of River Road are a great way to acknowledge the shared history and relationship between the campus and the Mi'kmaq people who lived here,鈥� explains Christian. 鈥淓vents like these are an excellent way for Aboriginal youth to experience the campus atmosphere and also for the students and faculty on campus to experience Aboriginal culture firsthand.
鈥淚 am hopeful that experiences like this can inspire more Aboriginal youth to continue pursuing an education and to realize the opportunities that exist if you just put in a little work and try new things.鈥�