Learning to Lead™ Combining Our Strength™

The annual Learning to Lead™ Combining Our Strength™ program brings together remarkable Aboriginal women, with varying levels of personal and leadership experience, from different communities throughout the province to learn from one another and to celebrate their accomplishments.

This program has two parts. First, Aboriginal women from communities located in 6 regions throughout the province (Cranbrook, Fort Nelson, Lower Mainland, Prince George, and New Aiyansh for the Nisga’a Nation) join together for a weekend in Vancouver. This is an exciting opportunity to participate in fun and informative workshops, become inspired by fantastic keynote speakers, and interact with other Aboriginal women who are exceptional leaders in their communities. In keeping with our goal of combining the strengths of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal women, we will also invite non-Aboriginal women to participate in this weekend to share experiences and successes.

In the second part of the program, participants will partake in the Community Circle portion of the program which will consist of 6 facilitated community talking circle sessions held over the following 8 months in their own communities. These community talking circles are designed to further develop leadership skills and networking.

The Learning to Lead™ Combining Our Strength™ program will be held at St. John’s College, on the campus of the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, on June 10 – 12, 2011. The Minerva Foundation and their sponsors cover the cost of all program activities and meals. Transportation (includes air and bus travel) to UBC and accommodation on the UBC campus will be provided for participants from outside the Lower Mainland. Our expectation is that each participant will fully engage with all of the other participants and activities, and enjoy this time of collaborative learning.

We invite you to submit an Expression of Interest in which you provide some details of your personal, leadership experiences. Remember, leadership can be demonstrated at home, in volunteer work, during recreation, and at school; leadership is not only found in the workplace.

Please complete this and send it, via email, by Friday, April 22, 2011 to nicoleannp@theminervafoundation.com Alternatively, you could fax your “Expression of Interest” to Attention: Nicole Ann-Poitras at 604-683-7695 ext. 224.

When I moved to Canada in 1998, I was pregnant and all alone. I was scared as to how I would take care of my daughter without a decent standard of education. I realized that without English I would be useless so I focused on improving my English by attending ESL classes at Vancouver Community College. When my English level improved, I was confident enough to go for science courses. And in 2003, the Minerva Foundation offered me the Minerva Foundation Award For BC Women in recognition of my excellent grades at school.
This scholarship changed my life as it offered me the opportunity to take post secondary course. Then when I entered the Licensed Practical Nursing Program in 2006, I faced financial problems. Again, it was Minerva that helped me with funds to solve my financial problems. Now I am working as an LPN and have solid hopes of furthering myself in this field.
Thanks so much to Minerva for giving me a life of hope. Thank you so much Minerva for helping me by believing in my abilities.

Sasiratha Uthayakumar, LPN