Sharing Circle – Lisa Walker

Sharing circles provide opportunities for each voice to be heard, respected, and valued. They are a traditional practice in many Indigenous communities across North America and are designed to ensure that everyone has an equal opportunity to share their opinions and ideas.

Participants in the sharing circle share their own opinions and speak their own voice. This post is the voice of Lisa Walker, one of my coworkers at BGIS. Her dedication and commitment to her work and community has always left an impression with me. Lisa’s Indigenous culture is an important part for what makes Lisa, Lisa, and I am happy to share her story and advice. Diverse backgrounds and cultures are so important in building a successful team.

Thank you, Lisa, for sharing your story.

Lisa Can You Tell Me About Your Indigenous Background?

I was around 16 when my dad received a phone call from a private detective hired by his Birth Mom to find him. We met with her and we learned that she did not give him up, but he was taken at birth by the church and unknowingly signed papers while she was under sedation. This was part of the 60’s scoop and upon finding that out it helped us learn our Indigenous history and where we came from.

This sense of not being wanted was something that bothered my father growing up and even when he had my sister and I – embedded in him was a sense of distrust in family. He has carried that feeling through his entire life, which I know other Indigenous people feel (if they too, were taken from their families). We were lucky that we got to meet and establish a relationship with our Metis family and learn more about ourselves, as many have not had that ability.

Why Is Promoting Indigenous Culture So Important to You?

Personally, I do not look Metis and I did not grow up with Indigenous history. There is a divide between wanting to learn and include Indigenous history and culture into my life and also being told “well you didn’t grow up or look Metis, so you’re not really Indigenous.”

There is a constant battle you face with your identity and wanting to promote and encourage reconciliation, while also wondering if you are overstepping.

I am now at a place where I am not afraid and I try very hard to promote Indigenous stories and communications with others. The more we grow and do our part in the reconciliation process, the more understanding we become of each other.

What Career Advice Would You Provide Others?

My career, like any other has had its ups and downs. I was a Health and Safety Advisor in the Oil & Gas Industry for 3 and a half years and throughout that time I have had lots of people say to me “oh women just want a Health & Safety position for the pay cheque,” or “you only know one trade, and I know eight,” or “you don’t have a trade so you probably won’t get far in H&S,”

No matter what people told me – whether it was about me being a woman trying to further my Health and Safety Career or just trying to advance my career in general – I quickly learned that you and yourself will be your biggest promoter and others won’t see the vision you do for yourself, and that’s ok.

Never allow others to tell you what you can’t do. I have taken what people have said and let it fuel my fire to advance my career and my experience. It is important to always believe in yourself and know that one day, no matter how hard it feels, you will get to where you want to be in your career.

It takes determination and hard work to overcome the obstacles and you must be willing to learn and grow in order to advance yourself. Be open to different path’s that become available to you and don’t be afraid to take chances as we are capable of so much more than we give ourselves credit for.