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"The SFU Indigenous MBA aligned with my personal and cultural values, that i chose their program to help grow my gifts."
Maribeth Pokiak
IBL EMBA in the Beedie School of Business
Tell us a little about yourself, including what inspires you to learn and continue in your chosen field
I am a lifelong learner and educator. I have a passion for growth and that passion continues into my role as a Regional Superintendent who provides services to my Beaufort Delta Region in the Northwest Territories. Where I work with me team to create opportunities for growth and supporting the Regional work force in career development, Apprenticeship, Early Childhood and supporting clients to find opportunities for personal and professional growth. I come from a family who is connected to the land, hunts and gathers and works towards the growth of our Nation and Region. My grandparents always said we need to share our gifts and shared what we have, so that inspires me to share the knowledge I have been gifted and hold.
Why did you choose to come to SFU?
SFU offered a great opportunity to me to grow professionally in my professional portfolio. The SFU Indigenous MBA aligned with my personal and cultural values, that i chose their program to help grow my gifts.
How would you describe your research or your program to a family member?
My research will be to create partnerships within our Region to meet our labour market goals and community roadmaps to close the gap and meet the potential job opportunities the communities would like to see offered in each community. They vary from town to town, and I would like to see them come to life and use these tools to create opportunity within each community.
What three (3) keywords would you use to describe your research?
Impactful, Long Term, Potential
How have your courses, RA-ships, TA-ships, or non-academic school experiences contributed to your academic and/or professional development?
The courses have given me more opportunity to grow in my own capacity and reach goals in my Performance Documents.
What have been the most valuable lessons you've learned along your graduate student journey (or in becoming a graduate student)?
That human mistakes happen, relationship building is key to success in creating opportunities
How do you approach networking and building connections in and outside of your academic community?
Creating space for dialogue and hosting meet and greets to explain programs and funding opportunities
What are some tips for balancing your academic and personal life?
setting time aside for community, my time visiting elders helps rejuvenate my soul and reminds me of my role
If you could dedicate your research to anyone (past, present and/or future), who would that be and why?
My grandparents, for all the knowledge they shared and to my Best Friend who I lost prior to starting the program. She was one of our Nations Leader who passed on too soon but had so much impact and believed education would lead our Nation to success
Contact Maribeth:mcp15@sfu.ca