Way̓ iskʷist t’usəlx̌ətkʷu, hello my name is t’usəlx̌ətkʷu my given name is Mathilda Michel and I come from a small community called Spaxmen near Douglas Lake Ranch. It’s a place where everybody knows everybody. It’s a place of many names because it is also the Upper Nicola Band which is a part of the Okanagan Nation or as we call ourselves Syilx. I feel I had a very exciting life so far, I started university in 2010 in carpentry at Thompson rivers university, but I was struggling because I was the only girl in the class, and I felt isolated and felt like I did not belong. So, I decided to switch to a Bachelor of Arts in 2011 with a focus on a major in Geography and minor in History, I was planning on becoming a teacher. Over my university years I feel I really found myself I really wanted to travel and see the world, so I decide to try Studying Abroad. I found myself in Australia for a semester, it was life changing and so happy I spent time away from family and mad new friends and memories and I encourage everyone to travel if they get a chance. I came back and finished my university and graduated in 2017 hoping to get into UBCO to do my teaching degree. Life had other plans I was rejected and ended up working for 5 years and during a chief and council, I was on council for my community from 2020-2023 and it was the greatest experience and loved learning, growing and helping my community. During the meeting we were talking about how there was a shortage of teachers at the band school. I started to think that I can try and apply again so I can still help my community out so in 2021 I decide to apply to the Bachelor of Arts degree at Thompson River University. 2022 was a big year for me as I had lots of change first was, I decided to leave a full-time job to become a full-time student and second, I got married and third I found out I was pregnant (baby coming August 2023). I am so happy I have a supportive husband and family because I don’t think I will be able to continue this journey. So, with a supportive family I will be finishing off my teaching degree and will be graduating in June 2024. When I finish, I hope to go work for my community and help save our band school with teachers leaving all the time the kids are having a hard time getting a good education. I hope to bring my culture and traditions into my class as well because we need to learn to live in this world but also need to keep out traditions alive.