Andrea Baekdak

Business Administration doctoral student 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 Cree-Michif scholar, communications professional, entrepreneur, mother and grandmother. I was born in Treaty 1 territory in Manitoba and now live and work on unceded Coast Salish territory. I am inspired by my children and grandchildren, the wisdom and resilience of my ancestors, and my responsibility to contribute knowledge based on a long career in media relations, advocacy and public service. This work brought me to understand how mass media and public institutions distort public discourse, which in turn weakens democratic accountability and undermines Indigenous sovereignty and economic well-being. I am inspired by so many Indigenous scholars and hope to contribute to Indigenous authority over our stories and the development of media systems that better serve communities and future generations.

Why did you choose to come to SFU?

I completed the EMBA in Indigenous Business Leadership at the Beedie School of Business, which demonstrated the possibilities of rigorous business scholarship grounded in Indigenous teachings, governance, and economies. The program deepened my confidence that this pathway could influence systemic change in media and public institutions and that SFU faculty would support research that brings those worlds into meaningful conversation.

How would you describe your research or your program to a family member?

I study how media has shaped public life in Canada as a system of governance and economic life that determines what we know, which voices carry authority and even how we understand ourselves.

What three (3) keywords would you use to describe your research?

Media Infrastructure, Indigenous Governance, Economic Sovereignty

How have your courses, RA-ships, TA-ships, or non-academic school experiences contributed to your academic and/or professional development?

The Executive MBA in Indigenous Business Leadership at Beedie transformed my thinking of what is possible when I centre Indigenous teachings to research and economic development. I look forward to deepening my theoretical foundation in academia while bringing in my professional experience and Indigenous ways of knowing and doing.

Have you been the recipient of any major or donor-funded awards? If so, please tell us which ones and a little about how the awards have impacted your studies and/or research

I am honored and humbled to be a recipient of the Simons Foundation Doctoral Entrance Scholarship. This award truly affirmed the value and potential of research that brings Indigenous knowledge into conversation with questions in business and society in governance and economic life. This support is much appreciated as I enter an intensive period of doctoral coursework and research which will provide the theoretical and methodological foundations of my project. I accept this award with gratitude in terms of its deeper personal significance as well. My educational journey has unfolded over many years and alongside significant family, professional and community responsibilities. To me, this recognition affirms that unconventional pathways to scholarship are valued, and I will ensure that my work gives back to the communities that have held me up.

What have been the most valuable lessons you've learned along your graduate student journey (or in becoming a graduate student)?

One of the most valuable lessons I have learned is that I am an academic thinker. For many years, I understood my work primarily as a communications professional, entrepreneur and storyteller working to elevate Indigenous voices through writing, advocacy and activism. Through my research journey, I recognized that this work was also intellectual inquiry: I had been examining systems, questioning power and tracing the relationships among media, public discourse and Indigenous sovereignty throughout my career.

How do you approach networking and building connections in and outside of your academic community?

I tend to approach networking and building connections thoughtfully and slowly. I am a deep listener. I am curious about people, the work that inspires them, and the experiences that have shaped them. I try to understand before speaking, to notice where support may be needed and contribute where I can. My strongest connections have grown through shared work, thoughtful conversation and a genuine commitment to others rather than through formal networking. I hope to build relationships grounded in trust, reciprocity and mutual respect within and outside the university.

What are some tips for balancing your academic and personal life?

I am still learning what balance will mean during PhD studies. Right now I think it begins with accepting that balance may not look the same every week. I have always worked to build supportive routines, break large responsibilities into manageable steps and honour how I am feeling and showing up. Time with family and friends, movement, and time on the Land have helped me remember that academic life is only one part of who I am.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

As I begin this doctoral journey, I hope to be guided by the Seven Sacred Grandfather Teachings: wisdom, love, respect, bravery, honesty, humility and truth. I hope to have the bravery to ask difficult questions, the humility to recognize the limits of what I know, and the honesty to examine my own assumptions. I want to approach knowledge with respect, use what I learn wisely and ensure that love for my children, grandchildren, ancestors and community remains at the core centre of my work. I enter the PhD program with gratitude for those who have carried me to this point and committed to ensuring that the knowledge I gain will be shared in ways that strengthen relationships, economic reconciliation, and the generations to come.

Additional Links

• LinkedIn
• Bluesky