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Rhiannon Arcand graduated with a combined BA (Native Studies) and BEd in 2021 and now teaches high school at maskekosak kiskinomatowikamik in Enoch Cree Nation.

As a child, Rhiannon Arcand’s mother often found her lining up her stuffed animals, meticulously teaching them lessons. While the early signs pointed to the classroom, it wasn’t until Arcand entered the Faculty of Native Studies at the ß÷ßäÉçÇø that she seriously considered teaching as a career.

Finding her path and her people

Growing up on the Enoch Cree Nation, Arcand attended school in her community until Grade nine before moving to Edmonton for high school. There, her sights were set on becoming a geneticist, and she considered studying science at the U of A. However, while upgrading her high school marks back at maskekosak kiskinomatowikamik high school (previously named Kitaskinaw high school), a presentation from the U of A’s Faculty of Native Studies student recruitment team rekindled the spark of an idea that had been at the back of her mind for years — to get a degree in Native Studies.

“What really drew me towards the program was finding my people — a whole faculty of my people,” says Arcand. She recalls that attending high school in Edmonton felt isolating at times, and the idea of a dedicated program to learn about Indigenous issues resonated deeply.

During the Transition Year Program at U of A, Arcand took a pivotal creative writing course. Recognizing her potential, her instructor suggested she take a class that involved helping teach poetry at a school in her community. This experience helped her identify a love of teaching. Soon after, Freda Cardinal from Native Studies Student Services encouraged her to pursue a combined degree in Native Studies and Education.

A homecoming in Native Studies

At the Faculty of Native Studies, Arcand found it both enlightening and comforting to have a “space for Indigenous people to learn about Indigenous people.” She quickly realized “there’s a lot more to Cree people, and other Indigenous groups within Canada as well, than just what’s said in textbooks.”

The faculty offered more than just knowledge; it provided a profound sense of belonging and support. “It was the strong sense of community, in whichever Native Studies class I was in, even the large introductory-level classes,” recalls Arcand. “I found my home within Native Studies.”

Arcand embraced this connection by becoming an active member of the Native Studies Students’ Association, serving first as secretary and then as president for two years. This role deepened her bond with the faculty as she planned student events, promoted supports for students and built strong friendships with students, faculty and staff. As president, she also expanded that sense of community by forging respectful relationships with other faculty student associations and the U of A Students’ Union.

Inspiring the next generation

Today, Arcand’s journey has come full circle. One of her favourite classes at the U of A was Cree, which she went on to teach at maskekosak kiskinomatowikamik high school in Enoch Cree Nation. She also teaches all the science courses, food studies and cultural classes such as beading. 

As the first person in her family to graduate from high school and university, Arcand often shares her success story with her students. She will point to her picture on their high school’s graduation wall as a tangible reminder that they can achieve similar milestones. Her proudest moments aren’t about her own accomplishments; they’re about celebrating her students’ successes at graduation and engaging in meaningful conversations about their futures. 

To students considering a degree in Native Studies, Arcand offers honest advice: “Prepare yourselves to learn about the very tough history of Indigenous Peoples in Canada, because that’s the first thing you’re going to be hit with. Be willing and open to learn about those histories, but then keep looking forward to where it’s all going — what’s being improved, what’s happening now.” 

Arcand’s journey is a testament to the transformative power of education — a path that honours the past while actively shaping a brighter future for the next generation.