Indigenous Family Support student receives Lt. Governor

Released: December 9, 2021 | Last Updated: December 16, 2021

Story Community Indigenous

Katie Manomie, a Camosun College Indigenous Family Support (IFS) student is the recipient of this year's B.C. Lieutenant Governor’s Medal for Inclusion, Democracy and Reconciliation.

The annual B.C. Lieutenant Governor’s award recognizes an outstanding student enrolled in a post-secondary program who has excelled in their studies, while contributing to the life of their institution or community by promoting inclusion, democracy and reconciliation.  

Katie Manomie, now in her second year, is an Inuk woman born in Iqaluit, Nunavut.  

As part of the ‘Sixties Scoop’ she was raised in the traditional T’Souke Territory with her non-Indigenous mother and is currently living and learning on Lekwungen Territory. The Sixties Scoop refers to the removal of Indigenous children from their communities through the 1960s and their adoption into predominantly non-Indigenous families leaving many with a lost sense of cultural identity. 

“I feel a great sense of honour and responsibility to receive this award,” says Katie. “I am incredibly grateful to all of the instructors, advisors and my classmates from Camosun. I have learned a great deal from each one of these important Indigenous people.”  

“I was never taught about my Inuk/Indigenous heritage beyond what I learned in the public-school system,” explains Katie. “In high school I experienced a lot of racism, had a hard time attending, and started to abuse drugs and alcohol. I also experienced homelessness, which ultimately affected my ability to finish high school.” 

Katie says she attended the Native Education College in 2014 and received her Adult Basic Education certificate. She was named Elected Chief while she attended. She began her sobriety journey in June of 2019. 

In 2020 Katie decided it was time to take a look at what Camosun College could offer. Sekwan Wabasca, an Indigenous Educational advisor at the college, helped her determine that the Indigenous Family Support (IFS) program would be the best option for her.  

During her first semester, Katie received an Inspire Award and the Spirit Award from Camosun for students studying family support. Because of how much she helps her classmates she has been coined “the auntie” of the program.  

“On behalf of Camosun, we congratulate Katie on receiving this year’s B.C. Lieutenant Governor’s Medal for Inclusion, Democracy and Reconciliation for her personal accomplishments, perseverance and contributions to her classmates and her program,” says Camosun President Sherri Bell. “We wish her all the best as she continues on to the next step of her educational journey.” 

“I am enrolling in the Indigenous Studies diploma program at Camosun next fall,” says Katie. “I look forward to learning how to decolonize my worldviews, how to walk in both worlds, and how to advocate for my people. I have been able to live my true, authentic self since I started at Camosun, and I am finally able to learn Indigenous ways of life. Nakurmiik! (Thank you in Inuktitut).” 

Camosun, located in beautiful Victoria, British Columbia with campuses on the Traditional Territories of the Lekwungen and W̱SÁNEĆ peoples, is one of the largest colleges in the province.  Established in 1971, Camosun now celebrates 50 years of delivering over 160 innovative, life-changing academic and applied programs.